Danny Proulx Memorial Award
Danny Proulx apprenticed with his father and an English cabinetmaker trained in the old school methods. His mother was a professional photographer.
Danny and his father were among the first North Americans to adopt and adapt European cabinetmaking methods primarily in the area of kitchen cabinets. During his convalescence after his spinal surgery, Danny became extremely bored being unable to work in his shop. His wife suggested that he write a book to keep himself occupied. The result was “Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets”. It was a success and lead to a second career as a writer.
His initial success was followed by:
- The Complete Woodshop Guide
- Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets - Second Edition
- Danny Proulx's Cabinet Doors & Drawers
- Building Frameless Kitchen Cabinets
- How To Build Classic Garden Furniture
- Building Modern Cabinetry
- Building More Classic Garden Furniture
- Display Cases You Can Build
- The Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book
- Danny Proulx's Toolboxes and Workbenches
- The Perfect Edge - The Ultimate Guide Sharpening for Woodworkers
- The Kitchen Cabinetmaker's Building and Business Manual
- Danny Proulx's 50 Shop-Made Jigs & Fixtures: Jigs & Fixtures For Every Tool in Your Shop
- Building Frameless Kitchen Cabinets Course Pack (a detailed training package for instructors)
- Simply-Built Furniture
- Building Cabinet Doors & Drawers
Danny also took the hundreds of photographs included in his books. His shop, with its special lighting was also the photograpy studio.
Danny became a valued member of the Algonquin College staff, teaching cabinetmaking to full time and part time students. He was an excellent instructor, able to explain complicated concepts in a simple straightforward manner.
Danny became a prolific writer not only of books but of articles on cabinetmaking for both woodworkers and professional cabinetmakers. He also wrote a regular column in at least one commercial cabinetmaking publication.
It was during his tenure at Algonquin that he became involved in the organization that would later become the Ottawa Woodworkers Association. He was instrumental in changing the informal group of woodworkers into the organized group that it is today.
Throughout all the foregoing, he continued his kitchen business (albeit on a reduced scale) and his cabinet supply business, retailing quality hardware and tools to customers all over Canada and the US. Through his web site (http://www.cabinetmaking.com), he answered thousands of questions on cabinetmaking. The web site, hardware business, book sales and questions are still maintained by his former student Luc Rousseau (who has gone on to become a cabinetmaker and teacher in his own right).
Sadly, Danny suffered from a heart attack at the 2004 Ottawa Wood Show. He would have been proud of the advancement of the association and the accomplishments of the members and his students.
He is still sorely missed.
About the Award
The Danny Proulx Memorial Award was created to honour his memory and to recognize outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the association.
The first recipient of the award (for 2005-6) was Robert (Bob) Demers for his unstinting work as the Program Director.
As one of the two instigators of the Ottawa Woodworkers Association and two term President, Chris vanderZwan was presented with the award for 2006-7 for his advancement of the association.
Paul Mahood, President, was granted the 2007-8 award for his outstanding work as President.
Marty Schlosser was the recipient of the 2008-9 award primarily for his work on the inaugural (and very successful) Wood Objects juried competition.
Two-term President Jacques Jodoin received the 2009-10 award for his accomplishments aimed at improving the association's relevance, not the least of which was the development of the mentoring program.
In 2011, the Award will be presented at the OWA June 8th general meeting.