Charlie Bain is Irishman of the Year

TICONDEROGA | The next time you fill your car's tank with gas at Bain's Sunoco, be sure to say congratulations to the owner. Charlie Bain, Jr., has earned the title of the Knights of Columbus Council #333's Irishman of the Year, and on Saturday, March 14, Bain will be honored with a hearty meal and a robust verbal roast by a colorful cast of his closest friends. "Charlie is one of the most respected individuals in our town," expressed Bob Dedrick, Grand Knight. "He has faithfully continued the great service established by Jay Fortino- his reputation is impeccable. He is a very generous entrepreneur, supporting local organizations with his time, equipment, and financial support." At the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner at the celebration, Bain will be welcomed into an esteemed group of individuals who have left their marks on the community over the span of nearly five decades. The Irishman of the Year began in 1978 under the Chamber of Commerce. In the late 90s, the K of C took over the event with temporary intentions, but ultimately it remained in their care. Up until 2013, only K of C members were eligible to receive the distinction. In 2014, however, eligibility was opened up to any resident (and having Irish origins is not a requirement). Recipients need not be Knights to receive the distinction, which is the case with Bain (though he said he would enthusiastically join Council #333 if he could, but he is not Catholic). Dedrick, well known as Coach Dedrick during his teaching days and also 2023 Irishman of the Year, came into the shop and asked Bain, his former pupil, if he was interested in accepting being this year's Irishman title. "I thought he was joking and told him as much," Bain said. But speaking in jest, Dedrick was not; Bain was an obvious choice for the title. "Charlie is always so quiet, but he does so many things for so many that the community doesn't know about," revealed Knight and 2024 Irishman of the Year Mickey Fitzgerald. "He is always doing something to help people." From all accounts of those who interact with him often, Bain is friendly, he is generous, and he genuinely likes people. In his profession, he sees the good and the bad of humanity on a daily basis, but for Bain, he is an optimist that people are inherently good at heart. And he is a prime example of that goodness. It's not unusual to see Bain offering a helping hand at the Knights' many community events, but what people don't often see is the work Bain does behind the scenes and in the shadows. Humble by nature, he isn't one to seek out the spotlight or accolades. "I don't enjoy being recognized, I don't like the attention," he admitted. "I will do anything for anybody, but I don't like to be out front." But out front, he will be on March 14 when his good friend Nate Belanger of Ticonderoga Automotive will serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies. If it is entertainment and a good laugh that people are seeking, this year's Irishman of the Year is expected to deliver. "Charlie actually almost rejected this nomination for the Irishman of Year because he, as always, didn't want or think that he needed or deserved this nomination," shared Belanger. "It took a little persuasion and explanation to show him that he absolutely deserves this, whether he wants it or not; he is the man you want by your side when in need. I'm very proud to call him my best friend." Motivated by a love of the community and desiring to see it advance, Bain is a giver by nature. Born and raised in Putnam, Bain has been a lifelong resident of the area. He graduated from Ticonderoga High School in 1993, and from there headed to tradeschool in West Haven, CT for automotive repair. Once through with his schooling, he was employed at New Country Ford in Saratoga for three years working on vehicles, and from there went to Heritage Ford in Burlington, VT, doing the same job, but making better money. As a kid in the early 1990s, Bain began pumping gas at Sunoco when it was owned and operated by Jay Fortino. After his stint in Vermont, Bain brought his automotive talents and expertise back to town and began working for Fortino full-time in November of 2000. "It was an agreement between Jay and I that when he eventually retired, I would buy the business," Bain explained. With those intentions in place, Fortino mentored his protegee, not only in working on cars, but in every aspect of running a business, with Sunoco officially passed into Bain's hands on Oct. 6, 2017. "I didn't make many changes, I used Jay's business model and ran with it," recalled Bain. "It was a lot to take over, I knew how to be a mechanic but being a business owner is a strong learning curve." But Bain did it; he climbed the curve and rode the way of the industry. He is still here and is well-trusted amongst automobile owners that Charlie can and will identify and solve whatever issues people may be having. And because people support his business, Bain's Sunoco is able to give back to Ticonderoga, making annual monetary donations to various charitable community organizations (and sometimes Bain pulls from his own pockets) to be a source of support for those in need. This October 10, Bain will become a family of six when he marries fiance Lexi Harrington, with his three children, Ethan, Duncan, and Lillian gaining a stepsister, Taylor. Bain, certainly the type of guy anyone would enjoy having belong to their organization (he is a member of the Elks), respects the example the Knights set in doing for others. "The Knights donate their time to the community and are a fantastic organization," he said. "I consistently see them working hard, everybody does their part and helps make the world go round." On Saturday March 14, the K of C's doors will open for Charlie Bain's Irish extravaganza at 5 p.m. with the bar and cocktail hour, followed by the main course at 6 p.m., and the anticipated roast at 7 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Tickets are available by calling 518-585-6520. Tickets are also available at the door, being mindful of seating capacity.

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