CALGARY — John Tessier, a pillar of the Alberta Motor Transport Association for many years, lost his battle with cancer last week.

John was a veteran of the Alberta trucking industry, first as a driver and then as a safety officer for several carriers and safety adviser for the AMTA, before retiring in 2007 to work as a health and safety industry consultant.

John was instrumental in the development of the standards that are currently used for the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program for the highway transportation industry and developed many training courses and procedures to help carriers and their workers to "get home safely at the end of the day," says AMTA Executive Director Mayne Root on the AMTA’s website.

"John had great influence on many of our lives, personally and professionally."

In his memory, AMTA will be creating a "Safety Award" named after John to be presented at the Alberta Truck Driving Championships — "another of John’s passions."

John’s funeral is scheduled for today, Monday, March 30th, at The First Alliance Church, 12345 – 40 Street SE, Calgary, at 1:00 pm.

Donations can be made by contacting Pierson’s Funeral Services at 403-235-3602.