When I came to Canmore, it was December 15, 1989. I had to relocate because my husband, Ernie, had passed away and I had to move out of the Continental Lime homes in Kananaskis Village.
The house I lived in at the village was the original first park gate home. And at that time it was a warden’s home. We lived there for seventeen years as Ernie worked first for Loders Lime, then Steele Brothers and then Continental Lime. Ernie first worked in maintenance and later was maintenance supervisor. He was instrumental in building the present day plant.
Ernie was born in Vegreville, lived in Edmonton as a young person, and went to work for the CPR when he quit school. I (Lorraine Short) met Ernie when I was working in a store. I was born in Wetaskiwin.
When we married we lived in Red Deer as Ernie was working for the CPR as a boilermaker. A son, Terry, was born while we were in Red Deer. During the time of steam engines, the boilermaker repaired the engines. As the trains were phasing out steam engines and putting in diesels, the job was changing so after about three years, in 1952, we came to Exshaw. Exshaw at that time was a sizeable community, and we worked with my parents owning Exshaw Motors and Hardware. Part of our work at that time included driving a school bus, carrying the mail and operating a coffee shop. After about six years we sold out to Mr. Mike Gregorish. Ernie then took on the job at Loders Lime, the start of a thirty-two year career with the companies. In 1961, our daughter, Tammy, was born.
The union at the time improved working conditions and benefits. This was affiliated with the United Mine and Gypsum Workers Union. When Ernie became a foreman, we left the village of Exshaw and moved to Kananaskis as part of the job agreement. Illness resulted in his death in the spring of 1989. Then in the fall I had to relocate and I found a home in Canmore.
Working for the Red Cross as a volunteer was a major activity during the years at Exshaw. For my endeavours, I received an Alberta Government Achievement Award in 1985. I also worked in the head office in Calgary for the Red Cross, still as a volunteer, in finance and management and women’s work- part of craft sales.We started the first one in Banff.
I drove school bus for the Exshaw School after we left the garage. The first run from Kananaskis village was by using my car as a bus and later on we got a real bus when there were sufficient numbers of children. At one time Mr. Lyster had a bus for the children at Kananaskis and Seebe to go to Exshaw School and I at times drove for him. I also served on the school board for about fifteen years.
When the children were growing up we drove them to Banff for swimming and skiing lessons. Son Terry went on to NAIT in Edmonton where he met his wife, Cathy. They have two children, Curtis and Marcia. Terry resides in Calgary with his wife and son and Marcy is married to Brady Kew and lives in Onoway. Daughter Tammy is married to John Brewster and lives in Rimbey with their two children, Carly and Dylan. At present I am involved with golfing, curling, bowling and as a member of the CSA.
Gordey family Terry, Lorraine, Ernie, Tammy
Ernie Gordey
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 99-100.
