Pierre Chagnon Named 2026 Recipient of the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award

Pierre Chagnon, 2026 John D. Hamilton Community Service Award recipient

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation celebrated a lifetime of service Friday evening as Pierre Chagnon received the 2026 John D. Hamilton Community Service Award, surrounded by family, friends and members of a community he has spent decades serving.

Presented annually since 1994, the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award recognizes an individual whose dedication, leadership and service have strengthened community spirit and enhanced the quality of life throughout the Chautauqua region. The award honors the legacy of John D. Hamilton, whose lifelong commitment to civic leadership continues to inspire generations of volunteers.

Throughout the evening, guests reflected on the remarkable breadth of Chagnon’s service and the quiet, steady leadership that has made him a trusted presence within organizations across Chautauqua County. Among the evening’s most meaningful moments were kind words shared by Pierre’s children, Jenelle and Marc, who offered a personal perspective on the man behind the many years of community involvement and the example of service he has set for his family and others.

“Working together is the theme for tonight’s celebration,” said Laura Otander, Chair of the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award Committee. “There are few people who have demonstrated the ability to work with a team to accomplish significant impact more than Pierre Chagnon.”

When Chagnon took the microphone, he did what one might expect from a servant leader, he highlighted those who mentored him and whose example of leadership he has tried to emulate. “Each Board that I served on provided an opportunity to learn from others,” shared Chagnon. “I am naming a small number of the people who have supported, encouraged, and mentored me as a way to share this recognition.”

Over the course of more than four decades, Chagnon has served as a director, board member, board chair, committee chair or president for an extraordinary number of local organizations. His leadership has helped guide economic development initiatives, strengthen educational institutions, protect Chautauqua Lake and the county’s natural resources, advance community development, support youth programs and improve local government.

“When we pause to think of John Hamilton and the recognition awarded in his name, we can’t help but think that someone like Pierre; someone who is versatile, thoughtful, continuously learning, and rarely declines an opportunity to serve is a perfect selection,” added Tory Irgang, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Individuals who wish to share congratulatory sentiments with Pierre or make a gift in his honor are encouraged to visit https://crcf.me/pierre.