I was born in Montreal, Quebec, on January 6, 1925. I had four sisters and four brothers. My mother was French-Canadian and my father was of Irish descent. From this large family, only one sister is alive.
My mother was a very good, kind person. My father was an engineer and worked as a “Brewery Master”.
Over the years, I worked at various employments: as a plumber, electrician, painter, and so on. I first learned of Canmore while on my way to the North West Territories. Landing in Calgary, I stopped there and ended up going ballroom dancing and met people who loved to hike. Now, as is typical of many newly-formed groups, twenty-five to thirty people were at the meetings but when actually heading out to the mountains or wherever, we were lucky to have eight. Those seven or eight became very dear friends and companions. We hiked, exploring new territory, and we also skied in the winter.
Tragedy struck our group and this ultimately changed my life plans. I had hurt my back and had not gone to the mountains west of Banff on this expedition. One lady decided to stay at ground level with the car, for some reason. This was 1990. All four perished in an avalanche. One never knows how these things will affect your life. Going through it all – the search parties, the burials, the realization, I guess the reality setting in affected me more than one could have anticipated. I had two heart attacks very close together. By this time, I had been in Calgary ten years.
I had noticed the seniors’ development in Canmore and thought this is where I should come. It has worked out great. I still hike, on my own; have friends, do yoga and meditations. I am an ardent reader, which all helps to fill in the days. The people here are very nice, warm and friendly. It is a nice place to live – for me.
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p.193.
