A familiar face in the Prince George brewery scene was recently honoured for a lifetime of hard work.
Tom Leboe has been Pacific Western Brewing’s (PWB) manager for 50 years, after “unintentionally” beginning his career at the brewery in 1969.
Raised in McBride, Leobe was in Prince George visiting a friend who was a brewery employee.
The friend came home from his shift and offered his guest a job and even though Leboe wasn’t looking for one, he accepted and the rest is history.
To mark this significant milestone, Leobe was honoured on Friday (Jan. 31) at the Courtyard Marriott hotel with a special surprise celebration.
In attendance were close to 100 employees and friends, including PWB's owner Taizan Komatsu, Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond and Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall, who all made presentations.
Tom Leboe gets a pair of Mr.PG socks from Mayor Lyn Hall during the celebration. (via Pacific Western Brewing/ Brent Braaten)“You have earned a place of enduring respect in Prince George, and all of the team here today have shared a place in the glow of that spotlight,” said Scott Rattee, who is a PWB General Manager.
“You have been a role model for me as you have for so many gathered here today. In Prince George, you have been the face of PWB for decades … when folks meet you on the street, they think Cariboo beer!”
During the presentations, Leboe said he was overwhelmed and thanked his wife Jean for her support.
“I am honoured to have the support of my family, friends and employees, past and present. I would like to express my thanks for all the kind words and to Jean, who has unfailingly supported me.”
Even after 50 years of hard work, Leboe still doesn’t have any plans for full-time retirement.
"Fifty years is truly something remarkable, and retirement isn't just well earned, it would be well deserved," says Kyle Sampson, PWB’s manager of northern B.C. to PrinceGeorgeMatters.
"However, I believe Tom plans on sticking around in a part-time supporting role, which we, of course, welcome graciously. He truly brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization."
Leboe has gifted a travel voucher and a commissioned painting of the brewery by local artist Cara Roberts.
