Al Delsid’s Sonoma County Spirit

Cloverdale’s retired Fire Captain Al Delsid was honored Dec. 5 with a Spirit of Sonoma County Award for his volunteer contributions to Cloverdale’s economic development and enhancement. He is one of 19 county residents chosen by the county’s Economic Development Board.

Delsid, 66, has volunteered with the Cloverdale Chamber for more than 30 years, is president of the Cloverdale Health Care District Board and serves as commander of the local Sons of the American Legion chapter.

He also organizes “Welcome Home” events for local military personnel, spearheads the cemetery wall replacement project, is building a Veteran’s Memorial at the cemetery, organizes the annual Wreaths Across America memorial, is a Citrus Fair cabaret entertainer and set builder and is past chairman of the Cloverdale Car & Motorcycle Show.

What was your reaction when you first learned you had been chosen as Cloverdale’s 2014 Spirit of Sonoma County honoree?

I’m still overwhelmed by all of this because I feel there are others who deserve it more. Cloverdale has always been known as a community that runs by volunteerism. It takes many people doing many different things, big and small, to help make this community better for all of us.

You do a lot of work on behalf of veterans. Were you ever in the military yourself?

I have a deep respect for our veterans and a great love for our country, but I was never in the military. I was drafted in 1968, but in the same envelope was a “Postponement of Induction.” My local draft board kept telling me I would be called up soon, but it never happened.

How do you choose your volunteer activities?

I like challenges and keeping busy, so I just try to find a need and fill it. I honestly don’t know how my wife puts up with all the projects I get myself involved in.

Do you find yourself busier now than before you retired?

It seems I’m busier now, but when I put it into perspective, I was also busy at the fire department. With a small staff, there was much to do. I also did a lot of volunteering when I was working.

What does receiving this honor mean to you?

All I can say is that it’s overwhelming. I don’t do this for awards or recognition, but I’m honored to receive this recognition. There are many people in this community who do so much behind the scenes, and that is what makes Cloverdale so unique.

Other recipients are:

Karen Waelde, North County Properties, Geyserville

Carla Howell, Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce

Eddie Sandoval, State Farm Insurance

Shawna DeGrange, Cloverleaf Ranch

Karl Bundesen, Century 21

Malia Anderson, Style by Malia

Dick Ghilotti, Ghilotti Construction Company

Warren Brown, One Sun, Inc.

Rob & Martha Domont, Petaluma Valley Athletic Club

James Timothy Henley, DDS

Jodi Shubin, Pisenti & Brinker

Martha Lindt, Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, Sebastopol

Curt Nichols, Carlile Macy

Tito Sasaki, Sasaki Vineyards

Ramon Meraz, Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Mark Houser, Hoot Owl Creek Vineyard-Alexander Valley Vineyards

Matt Martin, Social Advocates for Youth

Tom Lawrence, Wine Country Group Realtors, Windsor

Contact Cloverdale Towns Correspondent Mary Jo Winter at Cloverdale.Towns@gmail.com.