Honoured by his children, Cathy, John and Michael Madigan.

A Dad is respected because he gives his children leadership.
A Dad is appreciated because he gives his children care.
A Dad is valued because he gives his children time.
A Dad is loved because he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most – himself.

Joseph Neil Madigan was born at home on Third Avenue in North Bay, on December 13, 1937 to parents, John Joseph Madigan and Margaret Madigan (nee Hicks). As a young boy he regularly loved visiting his relatives in the Ottawa Valley area and helping as a summer farm hand.

In the 1950’s, he attended Scollard Hall in North Bay. He played school sports such as hockey, track and field and Junior Bears’ football. After graduation he worked as land surveyor for the Ontario Government, a job which incorporated his lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.

On January 12, 1963 he married his long time hometown sweetheart, Noreen Ellen Mackenzie. Neil and Noreen had three children: Cathy, John and Michael and were blessed with five grandchildren: Ryan, Lauren, Alisondra, Alana and Ysabella.

In late 1963 a long standing Irish family tradition of dedication to public service caused Neil to seek out a profession as a police officer. On November 18, 1963 he took the Oath of Service as police officer with the Ontario Provincial Police Force. The O.P.P led Neil back to the North Bay Detachment where he was told his first posting would be in Parry Sound. Neil began policing in Parry Sound in early December 1963 where he developed a love of Georgian Bay, the wind-swept pines and the warmth of the people, which caused him to serve and protect the people there for the next 31 years. On November 30, 1994, he retired. In April 1995, a large O.P.P. gathering took place attended by family, friends, co-workers, provincial and local politicians.

His two passions in life (besides his family) are hunting and watching the Toronto Maple Leafs. Autumn is his favourite time of year as he embraces the fall colours and the long trip into Northern Ontario with his brother Lee. He loves the fall with the moose/deer hunt coinciding with the Maple Leafs still being considered in contention, this is an enjoyable time of the year for Neil!

Neil has always made time for his family and friends. The summer and autumn evening bonfires at the Madigan Family country home in Parry Sound blaze long into the starry sky as do the fisherman’s campfire tales much to the delight of the grandchildren. His ties and love of North Bay stay constant to this day.

Honoured by Shirley & Ralph Priolo.

Thank you for purchasing a leaf for Edith and for supporting your Community Waterfront Park project.  Story to follow.

Honoured by Shirley & Ralph Priolo

Thank you for purchasing a leaf for Fred Milne and for supporting your Waterfront Park.  Story to follow.

Honored by Karin McMurchy

Dr. Archibald McMurchy (1851-1936)

North Bay’s first physician, Dr. Archie McMurchy, grew up on a farm in King, ON. A strong student, he graduated in Arts from Queen’s University in 1875 and embarked upon his first career as a mathematics teacher in Pembroke, ON, where he met his future wife, Elizabeth Martha Fraser. He returned to Queen’s and graduated in medicine in 1883, whereupon he joined the Canadian Pacific Railway as physician and surgeon. Charged with tending patients in the area stretching from Chalk River to Sudbury, he arrived in North Bay with the first CPR construction crew in 1883. Archie and Elizabeth married in 1884 and lived briefly in Mattawa while awaiting the opening of the road to North Bay and construction of a house. By 1885 they were settled in North Bay where the family grew to include four children: Jean, Archibald H., Dorothy, and Donald.

Dr. McMurchy provided medical treatment, surgery, and dentistry to CPR employees and their families and also had a general practice. He made calls on foot, on horseback, with a horse and cutter, and by rail handcar. Often he could be found at some lonely point walking along the railway line, whereupon he would be picked up by the train crew and delivered to his destination. With the arrival of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway, later known as the ONR, his practice area expanded as far north as Haileybury and New Liskeard. Dr. McMurchy devoted half a century of unselfish service to others and commanded love and respect from all who knew him.

Dr. Archibald H. McMurchy (1887-1962)

The second Dr. McMurchy followed in his father’s footsteps and after completing medical school joined his father’s practice. During WWI, Arch travelled overseas as a Canadian Forces medical doctor. He again wanted to serve during WWII, although by then he was in his 50’s and was deemed too old.
Arch and his wife, Anita Watterson, had no children. However, Arch was a doting uncle to his brother Donald’s two children, Donald and Dorothy Ann. ‘Unc’ spent many happy hours with them and frequently took his nephew Donald along on house calls. Don later recalled the pleasure of visiting with his uncle’s patients and their families, often receiving treats or enjoying a meal with them. In fact, it was during these house calls with Unc that young Don acquired a love of Italian food and an appreciation for the ways in which Dr. Arch demonstrated his care and devotion to his patients. Dr. Arch was a faithful, compassionate doctor who was very well-liked by his many patients. Special thanks to the late Mrs. Dorothy White for providing excellent care and companionship to Arch during his final years.

Dr. Archibald Donald (Don) McMurchy (1924-1984)

As his grandfather and uncle before him, Dr. Don McMurchy dedicated many years of service to caring for the people of North Bay and area. He was born in Toronto to Donald James McMurchy, the youngest son of the first Dr. Archibald McMurchy, and his wife the former Elizabeth (Betty) Cummings Strathdee. Don spent his earliest years in Pontypool, ON. In 1929 the young family relocated to North Bay where Don grew up. After high school Don joined the army and was selected for training in an intelligence unit when WWII came to an end. He then attended medical school at the University of Ottawa, graduating in 1952.

Don met his future wife, Karin May Olson, in 1946 while she was attending North Bay Normal School. They married in 1951, and lived first in Ottawa and then in Winnipeg as Don completed his medical training. In 1953 the young couple moved to Wingham, ON. Don joined a general practice and their son Donald and daughter Beth were born. In 1959 the family returned to North Bay where daughter Susan was born. Don’s 26th year as a highly respected local physician was tragically cut short in 1984 when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was known to his many patients and colleagues as a good listener with a warm bedside manner and a great sense of gentle humour. Don loved the outdoors, was an avid reader, talented writer, and imaginative story teller who entertained his young children with tales of adventure. A kind and loving husband and father, he is sorely missed by his wife, children, former patients, and the medical community.

Honoured by the Membership, Family and Friends of the North Bay Elks Lodge #25.

BIOGRAPHY OF MARK MONTGOMERY

 

Mark was born and raised on a small rural farm in Northeastern Ontario and received his schooling in Warren and his high schooling in Sturgeon Falls. He lived on the farm until he graduated high school in 1968. He is the fifth child with seven siblings.

Mark has been married to Marie for the past 18 years and they have four children – Lisa, Tina, Erin, and Jennifer and three wonderful grandchildren – Katelin, Shaynna, and Travis. Marie is a past HRL and DD for the Royal Purple and she joined the Elks in 2004. Marie has served on the National Charities Committee for 5 years serving as Chairman for three years. Lisa is a member of the Royal Purple and her husband Mike has been a member of the Elks for 11 years currently serving on the Lodge Executive. Tina is a member of the Royal Purple and has attained a 12 year perfect attendance pin and a drill team award. Erin and Jennifer were members of the Royal Purple.

In 1969, Mark moved to southern Ontario for work purposes and on September 16, 1969, joined the Metropolitan Toronto Police as a police officer. On Dec. 3, 1973, Mark moved to North Bay joining the North Bay Police Service and moved through the ranks becoming an Inspector on September 3^rd, 2001 and served in Patrol, Criminal Investigation and lastly Administration retiring in 2005 with 36 years of service.

Mark was initiated into the North Bay Elks Lodge on December 19^th, 1977. He served on the Elks Club starting in 1985 and became a Lodge officer as Lecturing Knight in 1987. He progressed to E.R. serving 3 continuous years and was E.R. for the 1992 National Convention. He served as D.D. in 1993-94 while also serving on the Ontario Elks Association. He became Provincial President in 1996 and was elected to the Grand Executive in Whistler, B.C. in 1998. He and Marie were Co-chairs for the 1999 National Convention and both are currently on the 2005 Convention Committee.

Mark also became a National Facilitator for the Elks of Canada and has served as Trustee/ Supervisor for Sudbury No. 329, Creighton-Lively No. 345, Moose Jaw No. 7, Belleville No. 325, and Espanola No. 346. Mark was also Chairman of the Forward Planning Committee and has served on all the Grand Lodge committees.

Mark has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Color Party, the North Bay Police Service Color Party and currently sits on the Board for the Critical Incident Stress Management Team as Treasurer and Peer Support. Mark also had the honour of being selected by the CISM team to go to New York after 9/11 and provide peer support and counselling to the New York Police Officers and other emergency personnel on two occasions.

Mark’s theme for this year is “4 the Kids – Pour les Enfants”. We are a National organization with a Vision to be the most progressive family focused organization. Our National Charity – the Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children promotes our concern and care for all children. We must ensure that we are relevant and that we reach out to our next leaders – the children of today. They are our future and they are so much of what we – the Elks of Canada – do.

Honoured by Carol Owens

Alma and Dean McCubbin are like spies with alter egos. They have gone under the assumed names Dopey, Babe, Cuddles, The Sillies, and Sweetums, to name just a few. There are even those who would rank them as superheroes or, more affectionately, the Super Gs. To their loved ones, they are the “Hot Rocks,” the solid foundation upon which a great family was built. The McCubbin household has always been a place of tremendous joy for anyone who has had the chance to attend the famed Sunday lunches, the pool gatherings, the Canada Day celebrations, and any other festive occasion that gives the McCubbins a chance to party, with or without costumes or Brandy Alexanders.  Legends abound of crackers and cheese and superior soup, the battle for buttertarts, the tournament of toast tossing, and the food fight with pink pudding that required repainting a room.

Alma and Dean have always given back to others through their involvement with the Roman Catholic Church, most notably as part of the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of Columbus. They have practiced what they preached in their service to the Girl Guides of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, the Kinsmen Club, the Kiwanis Club, T.V. Ontario, North Bay Tourism, and the North Bay Heritage Gardeners. And they even found time to “take the garbage out on Tuesday night.”

Dean, known as Mr. Canadore to his fans, was awarded the Order of Canada in 1980. He could not have achieved all he did without his faithful companion, Alma, by his side. Together, they imparted a spirit of generosity to their family and to all with whom they came in contact. Theirs is truly an inspirational legacy of kindness and compassion.

Honoured by Norman McLeod.

Ruby McLeod was born in Jamaica and trained as a nurse in Scotland prior to moving to North Bay where she nursed many years in paediatrics in St. Joseph’s Hospital
She is well known for her nursing activities and also for being an exceptional gardener. For many years in the North Bay Horticulture Society, she was responsible for civic beautification. This involved organizing,, planning and planting many flower beds around the City.

When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited North Bay and were scheduled to have lunch at the university, Ruby was asked to plant and care for the flower beds so they would be at their best.

Other flower beds were at the Waterfront, City Hall, and other locations around the City. At one time, wild flowers were planted beside the highway at the request of the highway department. One other notable bed on a sloping area at the Waterfront was in the design of a CanadianFlag.

After marrying Norman McLeod, they together purchased and developed a three- quarter acre property on Kadi Court, which is much in demand for garden tours and for wedding pictures. It was a scrub property, cleaned up and a new house built on it. Three hundred and fifty trees have been planted, along with 7,000 daffodil bulbs and 1,500 lily bulbs with masses of other flowers including wildflowers and water plants. More than 100 feet of a clear flowing stream flows through the property.

In addition to her gardening activities, Ruby, after retirement, enrolled in the Canadore chef program and after three years graduated as a chef but did not actively pursue it as a career.

Her talents have been a great benefit to North Bay and people from across Canada have seen and know of her gardens. They have been published in a text book of unique private gardens, featured in an Ontario gardening magazine, in the North Bay Nugget and in a Montreal newspaper.

Honoured by Members of Living Fit from the Inside Out Women’s Club

Hariett Madigan is truly an amazing woman of our time who cares passionately about her family, her friends, and the City of North Bay that she calls home. Born in Sudbury in 1947, she is the daughter of Bill and Marie Johnson, twin sister to Herb, and younger sister of Bonnie. At age 13, the Johnson family moved to North Bay where Hariett immediately felt at home, and her love for the city and its environment took root.

While still in high school, Hariett met the love of her life, Lee Madigan. Their relationship continued when Hariett went on to post secondary education at Laurentian University and Lee began his career with the Ontario Provincial Police. The couple was married in 1970 at the Pro Cathedral in North Bay.

Hariett chose teaching as her career, and worked in classrooms at all levels, while at the same time raising the couple’s three children, Sean, Christian and Sheri.

When Lee was posted to Gogama, a remote area in Northern Ontario, Hariett packed up the family and embraced her new community. The nearest grocery store was an hour away so, to ensure the family ate good nutritious meals, Hariett planted her own garden and lovingly tended the vegetables and fruits that grew. While there, she also found the time to start a community newspaper.

Four years later, the family moved back to North Bay and Hariett resumed her teaching career. A testament to their wonderful mother, the Madigan children recall that there was always a healthy cooked breakfast waiting before Hariett left for work and they went off to school. Despite their busy lives, both parents were always there for the children, and Hariett is described as the glue that still holds the family together.

After years of teaching grade school, Hariett chose to make a change and moved on to Adult Education where she taught for another 10 years. During that time, she felt that it was important to integrate fitness into her program, and in 1996, after making the decision to retire from formal teaching, her passion for fitness turned into a new career.

Living Fit from the Inside Out became a full time venture in the fall of 1996 with a membership of 100 women. The group met Monday through Thursday, with an optional weight training session on Fridays. During this time, members would take walks along the waterfront, and Hariett lamented the neglected state of the shrubbery. Never one to back down when something needed to be fixed, Hariett took her ideas to beautify the waterfront to City Hall, and along with Bonnie Cappadocia, Master Gardener, she co-founded The North Bay Heritage Gardeners, co-chaired Communities in Bloom with Wanda Wallace and founded the Community Waterfront Friends organization, which lead to the proposal for Community Waterfront Park on the former rail lands.

Over the years, Living Fit from the Inside Out has expanded to a membership of over two hundred. Hariett believes passionately in providing an environment where women can improve their health, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually also. The group hosts speakers from all walks of life, raises funds for charities, and travels extensively. Holding a passionate belief that everyone has a gift, Hariett has built a wonderful fellowship of women who provide companionship, strength, and support to one another.

During the summer, Hariett and Lee love nothing more than to spend time with their family at the cottage on Hemlock Island. They are now blessed with several grand-children, each one special in their own way.

Congratulations Hariett! You are a true inspiration.

A TRAIN BOUND FOR NORTH BAY

On October 29, 1950, newlyweds Réjeanne (Reggie) and Gérard (Gerry) Martineau arrived in this community. Gerry was employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company and had been transferred here from Montréal, Québec, with his new wife who spoke very little English.

They made North Bay their home and raised four daughters: Nicole, Carole, Lise, and Ginette. With no relatives for support, they embraced the community and formed long-lasting bonds with neighbours and coworkers.

Gerry also worked as a fur grader for the Ontario Trappers’ Association. Il était aussi le directeur général du Centre des Compagnons des francs loisirs et fut honoré par la communauté francophone pour son leadership exceptionnel avec l’appui inébranlable de son épouse. Il a été membre de la Ligue du Sacré-Coeur, des Chevaliers de Colomb, du Club Richelieu, de la Commission scolaire, et directeur et ancien président de la Caisse populaire North Bay Ltée.

Réjeanne worked for Canada Post as secretary to the director of the Northern Postal District and served under four different directors. She was known as a very happy, upbeat, and friendly individual with a million-dollar smile. She made friendships that would last until her passing in 1995. Her daughters will never forget her tender voice asking, “Anybody home?” or “Are we having fun yet?”

Gerry was an avid sportsman, belonged to the North Bay Golf & Country Club, played baseball and hockey on numerous teams, and filled many administrative positions for every sport in which he participated. In his later years, you could spot him at Memorial Gardens or at a baseball field discussing sports with other spectators.

À sa retraite, Réjeanne consacra son temps précieux à sa famille et à ses dix petits enfants et se porta volontaire à Casselholme.

Thank goodness for that train bound for North Bay where Réjeanne and Gérard chose to make their home. Nous remercions nos parents d’avoir inculqué en nous un sens d’appartenance et un désir de redonner à notre communauté comme ils l’ont fait si généreusement.

Avec beaucoup d’amour,
Nicole Perron
Carole Laperrière
Lise Paulin
Ginette Brindle

Thank you to Al McDonald for honouring Judy and for supporting the Waterfront Pergola campaign.  Story to follow.