After an extraordinary 45-year career dedicated to serving Montreal's most vulnerable populations, Tommy Kulczyk has announced his retirement, though his family suspects this may only be a temporary pause from his lifelong commitment to community service.
A Career Defined by Service
Kulczyk spent 35 years leading Sun Youth, where he oversaw emergency aid programs, coordinated responses to natural disasters, and provided essential support including food, clothing, and shelter to those in need throughout the city. His impact extended far beyond the organization's walls, touching countless lives across Montreal.
Since 2019, he has served as president and CEO of the Breakfast Club of Canada, where he witnessed remarkable growth in the program's reach. Under his leadership, the organization expanded from distributing 243,000 meals to providing more than 890,000 meals for children nationwide.
Recognition and Reflection
Kulczyk's impressive contributions have not gone unnoticed. On November 5, 2025, Quebec's National Assembly paid formal tribute to his 45-year career, acknowledging his profound impact on the community.
Beyond his roles at Sun Youth and the Breakfast Club, Kulczyk served as chair of Quebec's Advisory Committee on the Fight Against Poverty and Social Exclusion from 2006 to 2009. He also made history as Montreal's first commissioner for children from 2016 to 2019, playing a crucial role in implementing the city's child policy.
At 63 years old, Kulczyk maintains the energy and appearance of someone much younger, still carrying the same enthusiasm that characterized his early years. During a recent visit to the old Montreal Forum, he reflected on his childhood hockey aspirations and drew parallels between his athletic past and his community work.
Personal Motivations and Future Plans
The decision to retire comes from personal reflection rather than diminished passion. "In the last five years, I've lost a lot of friends who have passed away very rapidly—friends the same age as me," Kulczyk shared. "It made me realize just how life can turn so quickly. I want to spend more time with my family while I can. We had our first grandchild a few months ago. Plus, I'd like to travel a little while I'm able."
Despite stepping back from formal roles, Kulczyk acknowledges that his commitment to service remains strong. "I know in my heart I can never turn away from a cause if approached," he admitted, though he plans to avoid positions requiring the extensive time commitment of his previous roles.
Throughout his career, Kulczyk consistently prioritized social impact over financial gain, despite having trained as a chartered accountant. "I was always more drawn to the social field," he explained, noting that his own childhood experiences with limited resources inspired his dedication to creating opportunities for others.
Lasting Legacy and Team Philosophy
During his tenure at Sun Youth, Kulczyk helped create 35 different programs addressing everything from youth sports to emergency needs. He takes particular pride in the fire-assistance program that provided immediate support to fire victims, often responding to calls in the middle of the night when no other help was available.
He also played a key role in developing Sun Youth's Christmas Basket program, successfully engaging politicians from all levels of government. "I would tell the politicians that statistics never gauge the real suffering of poverty," he recalled. "When you look at people in the eye, that's how you can tell."
Throughout his career, Kulczyk maintained a simple but powerful guiding principle: "Can I make a difference here and is this going to positively change someone's life?" He consistently emphasized that meaningful change comes through collective effort rather than individual action, comparing his work philosophy to team sports. "Like hockey, it's the team that is bigger than the individual."
While Tommy Kulczyk may be stepping back from his formal roles, his legacy of compassion and community building will continue to inspire Montreal for generations to come.
