10/15/2026
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Sharon D. Bourquin as Clayton’s 2026 Citizen of the Year
CLAYTON, N.Y. — Sharon D. Bourquin has been selected as Clayton’s 2026 Citizen of the Year. The honor recognizes her longstanding commitment to the community and two decades of volunteer service helping preserve and share the history of Clayton and the Thousand Islands.
The annual Citizen of the Year Award recognizes individuals whose volunteer service and dedication have made a lasting, positive impact on the Clayton community. Bourquin’s contributions reflect that spirit through years of leadership, generosity and steady work on behalf of the Thousand Islands Museum and the people it serves.
Sharon began volunteering at the museum in 2006, drawn by her interest in genealogy. What started as one day a week in the Research Library grew into a commitment that often brought her to the museum five days a week, and sometimes seven during major events.
Over the years, Sharon has served as an unpaid museum director and helped with nearly every aspect of its operations, including exhibits, membership, volunteer recruitment, fundraising and community programs. She continues to volunteer three days a week, coordinating the museum’s Sunset History Boat Tours, a major fundraiser, and writing its weekly news column for the Thousand Island Sun, extending her efforts to share the region’s stories with a wider audience.
Sharon’s contributions have touched many familiar community traditions, including the Festival of Trees, the annual Decoy Show, the Holiday Craft Fair, community dinners and Veterans Day displays. She has also supported History at Noon and other gatherings that connect residents and visitors with the area’s past. Through these efforts, she has helped make local history accessible, engaging and meaningful to people of all ages.
Much of Sharon’s work takes place behind the scenes. She preserves newspaper clippings and family records, maintains research materials and helps people explore their genealogy. Those who nominated her praised both her knowledge of local history and her willingness to share it, whether answering a visitor’s question, helping a family researcher or welcoming a new volunteer.
In a joint nomination, museum volunteers described Sharon as the museum’s “heart and soul.” Their recommendation emphasized that her service has been freely given out of love for the community and its heritage. Other nominators similarly credited her steady presence and dedication with helping the museum remain a valued resource for Clayton.
Sharon’s community involvement extends beyond the museum. While helping care for her granddaughters, Ashlee and Andrea, she volunteered at their preschool, assisted with Antique Boat Museum educational projects at Guardino Elementary School and raised funds for their travel sports teams. Sharon’s commitment to supporting her family and community has carried through every stage of her life.
Born and raised in Clayton, Sharon graduated as salutatorian from Clayton Central School in 1964. She began her working career at First National Exchange Bank, later the National Bank of Northern New York, during her senior year. After seven years at the bank, she joined Wingerath Bros., where she worked for 34 years, serving as secretary and treasurer of the incorporated company and later handling accounting for its lumber business.
Sharon and her husband, Bob, have been married for 61 years. They have one son, William, two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
Sharon’s legacy of service is reflected in the records she preserves, the programs she helps bring to life and the people she welcomes to the museum. Her own words capture the purpose behind that dedication: “I love that I am helping to preserve the history of our amazing Village and Town.”
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a dinner honoring Sharon on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, 200 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY. The banquet will also include a “Best of the Best” awards presentation and the presentation of the “Community Spirit Award” honoring conductor Rick Badour and the Clayton Community Band.
Reservations may be made online at https://www.1000islands-clayton.com/citizen-of-the-year/ or by contacting the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 315-686-3771 or [email protected]. Reservations must be made by 4 p.m. on October 30, 2026.
