Page 12 - TYC Magazine - Winter 2024

The YORI<. Club Magazine Winter 2024 Edition

30 Years and Counting: Carol

Similar to other hires of the time period, Carol
O'Connor's first time inside The YORI< Club was a
somewhat scary experience.
"It was very intimidating, the entire first day was a blur,
but what I do remember was during the interview process,
sitting in the chair to the left of the fireplace and thinking
'what have I gotten myself into'," smiled Carol three
decades later. ''And of course, there's Mr. Marvelous,
Pascoe, who put me at ease, talked to me and was very
friendly and welcoming."
Celebrating 30 years on staff at The YORI<. Club in
2024, Carol has herself become part of the warmth that
emanates from the staff and building - and has carried a
variety of torches during the tenures of three different
general managers and numerous Boards.
"My position is multi-faceted, and I get to know the
staff and their families through my HR role (and) work
with the Board in my administrative role," reflected Carol.
"The Members of The YORK Club are so nice, so warm
(and) passionate about their Club.
"That makes you want to work harder, and feel the
same way about doing your job."
Her role is still somewhat difficult to pinpoint - some
days it's administration, others it's membership and on
others still it's human resources - but it is clear she is an
integral part of the team.
The most rewarding portion of her career inside the
warm walls of 135 St. George? Watching staff members
excel and earn promotion.
"I like seeing people progress," she explained. "Kevin
Butler came up the ranks, from part-time bartender, then
eventually senior bartender, and now we know him as the me, it would be volunteer work either with the Toronto
facilities manager. Monika, likewise, from part-time Humane Society or Epilepsy Toronto."
server to maitre d'hotel." Tasked with summating her career, spent almost entirely
With retirement looming on the not-so-distant, term it in the employ of the Club after a brief few years in the
the medium, horizon, the Toronto resident has begun hotel industry, she is grateful.
fielding the occasional question. "I've made a lot of good friends, and have had the
"The big R," laughed Carol, who lives in the east end privilege of working with exceptional people - both
of the city with her husband, son and dog. "The closer I staff and Members," she reflected. "The work-life balance
get to it, I view it with a different lens. Sixty has always afforded me, when my son was born to work three days
been my best-before date, but the closer I get to it, I don't per week, then four as he got older.
know! "You can't put a price on that family time, and I am
"It's all about having a sense of purpose, and being able very grateful."
to not just go through the motions," she continued. "For

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