It was anything but a regular day at work for Peter Rovazzi just a few days before Christmas last year.
The Barrie man was on duty at Lowes at about 7:00 p.m. on December 21, chatting with co-workers and assisting customers as always. Just a few minutes later, he was lying unconscious on the floor.
"I had been feeling fine the whole day," Rovazzi remembers. "There was absolutely no warning that something was wrong. No warning at all. It's amazing, considering things wer as bad as they were."
Sherry Oudit had just talked to Rovazzi about a minute before he collapsed, and she quickly ran to his aide, shouting for help.
Gary Banting, Lynn Lamoureux and Anthony Cassiani came to help and all four performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
They were recognized for their quick life-saving action with Awards of Merit from the city. Mayor Jeff Lehman presented the awards Monday night.
"All of these individuals did something extraordinary to save someone's life," Lehman said. "They are people who may not have known each other before that night, and they have become very, very close after they worked together to Peter's life."
All four award recipients were trained in CPR at work and they agreed that training enabled them to jump into action without thinking and to remain calm during the emergency.
Paramedics used a defibrillator to shock Rovazzi's heart three times before he was transported to RVH.
He has since recovered from a heart attack and cardiac arrest and he was in the audience while his friends were recognized.
"I'm glad you could be here tonight," Lehman said.
"Me too," Rovazzi replied, smiling. "On many levels."
He offered advice to all in attendance.
"Learn CPR, everyone," he said.
