AUGUSTA — Le Club Calumet has selected Augusta native and former auto dealer Richard O’Connor as its 2015 Outstanding Citizen.

O’Connor, who is retired and lives in Edgecomb, for many years ran O’Connor GMC after joining his father and his brother at the Augusta business in 1971. During his tenure at the business, it grew from 12 to more than 400 employees, and the dealership was one of the top 10 dealers in the country. During a two-year period, the dealership sold more GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks than any other dealer in the United States.

O’Connor

In 1993 O’Connor GMC was named business of the year, and in 1999 O’Connor was named businessman of the year, both by the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He made donations to numerous charitable causes, youth organizations, local sports teams and events over the years. He was an active fundraiser for Team Cony, Kennebec Valley YMCA, his alma mater Kents Hill School. He was a major supporter of Le Club Calumet’s Le Festival de la Bastille, according to his nomination for the award.

He has served as a member of numerous local boards, including those of the Kennebec Valley Board of Trade, Kennebec Savings Bank, Kents Hill School, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and Augusta Board of Trade.

O’Connor and his wife, Joanne, have two children, Alane and George, who both live in the area with their families.

An award ceremony to honor O’Connor is planned for 7 p.m. May 9 at the club. Tickets may be obtained by calling Norman Veilleux at 441-1062. They will not be sold at the door.

The Le Club Calumet Outstanding Citizen Award presentations started in 1965 to honor a non-Franco-American for his or her outstanding service and contributions to the community. The club has a separate award, the Medaille d’Honneur, to recognize a Franco-American and club member for outstanding service to the community.