Stories

Graham, Earl Frederick #1994 *

Earl Frederick Graham

April 16, 1930 – April 14, 2013

Partner, Father, Stepfather, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Humanitarian and Volunteer

Earl joined Lionism at the North Bay Lions Club in 1977, now being a member for over 36 years.

Earl was a very active volunteer.  He has received many awards and recognitions such as:

  • Lions International – Life Membership
  • Helen Keller Fellowship
  • Melvin Jones Fellowship
  • Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship

In Lionism he gave his time and energy tirelessly, being currant Treasurer and Past President, he has held every position the club has offered him.

He attended many conventions, district and multiple district, holding area positions such as:

  • Zone Chairman
  • Regional Chairman
  • District A-5 Treasurer and many more

Earl was a very active member in the North Bay Lions Club and District A-5. He was a bingo packer and a bingo caller on Cogeco T.V. Bingo known for his closing words – “Goodnight Stu”.

Earl was employed by Bell Canada for over 30 years and he served on many other community boards such as the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles Board, Chairman from 1993-2013 of the Terry McKerrow CT Scan Board and was a board member of the North Bay Regional Hospital since 2001.

Earl was very well known for his beautiful stained glass works, he always had aproject on the go.

Earl was a man who always had a smile and a little cheer to share.  We’ve Learned many things from Earl and we will miss him deeply.

A great person and volunteer – Earl Frederick Graham.

Champagne, Roland & Cecile #612 *

Roland Champagne, the only son of George and Dianera (nee Voyer), was born in August 1928. He was raised in Corbeil along with his five sisters.

Cecile Sabourin, daughter of Hector and Flora (nee Gratton) was born in May 1926. She was raised on the family farm on Wasi Road in Callander with her four siblings.

Roland and Cecile met at a local dance hall and after a short courtship they were married on September 27th, 1950. As their family expanded, they purchased their first home in 1953 at 612 Highland Road in the former Widdifield Township and lived there until their passing.

Roland worked as a Railway Carman at the Ontario Northland Railway for 36 years until he retired in 1987. Cecile was a great homemaker who enjoyed sewing for family and friends as well as gardening, baking and putting together awesome home-cooked meals. They both loved the great outdoors. Camping, fishing, snowmobiling and ATVing were some of the activities they both enjoyed and Roland also enjoyed hunting in the fall. They enjoyed playing various card games with family and friends.

Family was very important to them; they had raised their four children with strong morals, family values and great work ethics all of which have been instilled into the next generation.

We chose the number 612 for their commemorative leaf to remind us of our roots, where family get-togethers and fun was enjoyed for many years. It is where we still have fond memories of growing up.

The home has remained in the family, their daughter Paulette and her husband Vern have purchased the house where we all still gather.

Rest in Peace Mom and Dad until we meet again!

Love Suzanne, Paulette, Carole, Normand and families!

Nipissing District Women’s Institute #259 *

Nipissing District Women’s Institute

In 1940 the District of Parry Sound accepted branches from Nipissing area to their District Annual.  Fees from three branches were accepted.  They were Calvin, Phelps and Mattawa.  Others joined later.

In May 1948 six branches withdrew to from the Nipissing District Women’s Institute.

Mattawa formed in 1907 – 2004 (disbanded)

Calvin formed in 1910 – (disbanded)

Ferona in 1912 – (disbanded)

Nipissing Junction in 1930 – (disbanded)

Phelps in 1939

North Star in 1946 – April 30, 1967 (disbanded)

Trout Mills November 7, 2947

Rutherglen in 1950 – (disbanded)

Kipling in 1953 – 2003 (disbanded)

Thibeault Hill approximately 1958 – 1985 (disbanded)

Gateway in June 5, 1959 – last entry in Minute Book is February 27, 1964 (disbanded)

Veuve River in 1983 – 1984 (disbanded)

Chisholm, North Parry Sound, joined Nipissing District as the other branches in their district had disbanded.

Members attended the Associated Country Women of the World in Toronto 1953.

North Bay Nugget attended several District Annuals and took pictures of the Executives.  Money was collected for Blue Cross so members could be covered for health problems.  There were bus trips to different parts of Ontario 1964 – 2013 – a total of 52 trips, at nominal prices with four women to a room.

The Women’s Institute sponsored 4H Homemaking Clubs for girls, later 4H Club for boys and girls. Extension Courses were taught to the adults some of which were upholstering, canning, hat making and many other subjects.

The Gertrude Phillips Award was given to the Branch that was the most active in W.I. Projects. Several members have been on the Provincial Board over the years.

The Women’s Institute’s motto is “For Home and Country”

 

 

King, May & Ernie and Family #452 *

Honoured by their children

Ernest James “Ernie” King, born in Sturgeon Falls on June 22, 1890 and Letittia “May”Wood, born in South River on March 26, 1895 were married in the Presbyterian Church in South River on July 26, 1916.  They lived all their married life in North Bay and were the parents to ten beautiful and successful children, Myrtle, Evelyn, Viola, Don, Alvin, Jean, Mable, Jack, Inez and Carroll.

They were remarkable loving parents, few have achieved so much.  Not in a monetary sense, for that is here today and gone tomorrow, but their values.  Some of Dad’s favourite sayings were “Honesty is the best policy”, or “Experience is your best teacher” or “Your reputation is much easier lost than gained” and of course the fifth commandment “Honour thy Father and thy Mother”.  They knowingly never hurt anyone but always lent a helping hand.  They always had time for anyone in need, lonely or ill.

Ernie worked at the ONR from 1911 until his retirement as General Yard master in 1952.  He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Gowganda Lodge No. 815 of the Brotherhood of the Railway Trainmen.

During the First World War, May worked and made dressings with the Red Cross.  She was the President of Dr. MacDougall Home & School Association, Past Noble Grand of the Nipissing Rebekah Lodge No. 152; Past President of the Evans Pride Lodge No. 617 and President of the White Heather Circle of Calvin Presbyterian Church.  May was known as the Soup Lady.  She would have us take a container of homemade soup, on our bike, to people she was aware of being ill.

May and Ernie were a part of Odd Fellowship for over 50 years and certainly lived up to their purpose of Friendship, Love and Truth.  It was a way of life for them and an example for us, just as Calvin Presbyterian Church was since its beginning in 1925.

Mom’s words of Shakespeare “To thine own self be true”.

The entire King Family continues to be proud of its deep connection to North Bay.

Porter, Gertrude #246

Honoured by Bob Porter

Thank you for honouring Bob Porter with a Leaf of Inspiration for the Waterfront Pergola.  Story to follow.

Duquette, Rene #1130

Honoured by Ann-Marie Bourke and Family

Thank you for honouring Rene Duquette with a Leaf of Inspiration for the Waterfront Pergola.  Story to follow.

Amos, Shirley & Harold #1041

Honoured by Donald Coutts and Nora Elliott-Coutts

Thank you for honouring Shirley and Harold Amos  with a Leaf of Inspiration for the waterfront Pergola.  Story to follow.

Stewart, Michael Alexis Bruce #1221 *

Honoured by his Family and Friends

Michael Alexis-Bruce Stewart – 1981 – 2012

Michael Alexis-Bruce Stewart was born December 21, 1981 in Timmins, Ontario.

An active child with a magnetic smile, his childhood focus was on drawing cartoons.

By the age of 12, Michael’s work in black and white was inspired, masterful, and remarkably detailed.

His adolescence brought the dawning of his love of music.  He spent hours teaching himself to read music, learning to play the guitar and listening to Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Pearl Jam and more.  He perused guitar magazines until they crumbled in his hands.

In high school, Michael connected with other musicians, jamming and dedicating himself to becoming a bass player, listening and adopting the skills of renowned guitarists past and present.

It was when Mikey moved to North Bay to attend a Graphics program at Canadore College that he felt he had found a home.  With a young, vibrant musical community, North Bay appealed to Michael as a place he could hone his talent, live the life style he chose for himself and be appreciated by like-minded people.  Michael also loved the Nipissing waterfront, walking and skateboarding for miles.

At the time of his tragic death at the age of 30, Michael was teaching himself classical guitar, playing a 5 string bass in three different bands, intending to complete his college education in graphic arts and wanting to learn several different languages.

Michael was an intelligent, humourous, independent thinker who read the likes of Chomsky and who inspired those around him with intelligent, thoughtful discussions on all manner of topics.

It was, however, Michael’s deep and abiding love that set him apart from others.  He accepted and protected the weak, the downtrodden, the forgotten people in society.  His empathy and openness to all who asked made him a beloved figure at home and in North Bay.  The following poem was written by his mother at the time of his death to capture his spirit:

 

Look into my eyes – find kindness

Look into my heart – find love

Look into my head – find knowledge of the ages

Look into my soul – find the music that reverberates through the dimensions.

Look at my hair – it ripples of generations

Look at my face – a cherub of Reuben’s kind

Look at my hands – the tools of creation reaching out with electric heat.

Look at my name – the angel who sits on the right hand of God.

Look at my body – dust to dust, ashes to ashes

Look at my life – and remember me

remember me

remember me.

 

Brenda Elizabeth Stewart, an adoring mother; September, 2012