Category: S

Steele, Harold John #650 *

Honoured by Bernice Fawcett

Harold John Steele  (1898-1970)

Harold John Steele was a railway employee – Temiskaming and Northern Ontario and Ontario Northland Railways – all his adult life.  From 1947 to 1962 he was the much respected General Roadmaster of the ONR.   During this period, he and his family lived at 650 Harvey Street in North Bay.

Studholme, Robert #1925 *

Honoured by Eileen B Studholme and Family.

Robert D. Studholme
Born 1925 in North Bay

There are people who have a gift for taking an idea, jumping hurdles, breaking down road blocks and rolling up their sleeves to turn that idea into reality. Robert “Bob” Studholme is one such man. His “get it done” attitude has ensured the preservation of several of North Bay’s historic landmarks for the enjoyment of North Bay’s residents and thousands of visitors to our city.

You need only look at the CF100 and the ACT “Gateway to the North” arch in Lee Park to see what can be done when perseverance, determination and commitment come together. As a volunteer, Bob coordinated the restoration of these land marks in 2006.

Bob’s dedication to preserving history and remembering others was equally evident at the Cenotaph on First Ave. at Ferguson St. In 1997, he became Chairman of “Project Flanders” to restore the Cenotaph. He raised $700,000 through donations, grants and persuasiveness from individuals and businesses in North Bay and surrounding areas. The Memorial Wall was dedicated in Nov. 2000. Over the next 10 years, Bob raised additional funds for the new benches, flood lighting, sprinkler systems, sidewalks etc. He restored the WW1 monument which was renamed Vimy Wall.

Bob had a knack for engaging politicians, civil servants and business leaders to accomplish what naysayers often thought impossible. Perhaps it was a trait he’d earned as a Warrant Officer in the Second World War, having flown in a Lancaster Bomber as a Mid-Upper Gunner. At the age of 17 he joined the RCAF and was sent overseas in 1943. For the next two years he served with the 419 Squadron at Middleton St. George, England. Sixty-six years later, Bob made arrangements to bring the Lancaster Bomber to North Bay where it was viewed by more than 2,000 people.

After the war, Bob worked at his parents’ tourist camp on Lake Chebogomog, Crystal Falls and later he began a 40 year career at Cochrane Dunlop Hardware. Never one to sit still, Bob played hockey, coached and managed teams and was inducted into the West Nipissing Sports Hall of Fame. In 1968 he played second on the Rudy Steski curling team when they won the Legion National Curling Championship. Bob was voted on the Canadian All Star Team and the Steski team was inducted into the North Bay Hall of Fame.

Recognition for his talents went beyond the sports world. In Nov 2006 Bob was presented the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for “a significant contribution to Canada, to their community and fellow Canadians”. In 2007 his “exemplary contribution by generously giving of himself and so both benefitting veterans and making manifest the principle that Canada’s obligation to all who have served in the cause of Peace and Freedom must not be forgotten” earned him a Commendation from the then Minister of Veterans Affairs, Hon. Greg Thompson.

For over 50 years Bob has been a member of the ACT, Legion Branch 23, Canadian Owners & Pilots Association, a life member of the 406 Wing RCAF, Past President of the North Bay Granite Club and a campaign volunteer for the North Bay and District Hospital Foundation.

Bob’s wife Eileen (Burke) whom he married in 1952, their sons Chris (Helene) and Don (Helene), and grandchildren Eric and Julie have purchased this Leaf of Inspiration for Bob, proud to honour him for his dedication to our community and his many years of volunteering.

Slater, Constable Len #1973 *

Constable Leonard George Slater (1941 – 1973)

story by retired Constable M. Lahaie

On the 1st of December 1973, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Constable with the North Bay Police Service responded to a reported incident of a man with a gun in a downtown parking lot. In less than four minutes, Constable Leonard George Slater, a fellow officer and a shooting suspect all lay wounded. Moments later members learned that Constable Slater had succumbed to his wound and paid the supreme sacrifice.

On that night, a local resident, Camille Joseph Ethier, 24 years of age, had been drinking at a North Bay tavern. He became upset, when he observed his friend’s girlfriend with another man. Ethier left the tavern and walked across Oak Street to a municipal parking lot. He opened the trunk of his car, removed and started to load a single shot 12 gauge shotgun. A companion attempted to convince him to put the gun away. Ethier paid no heed to his companion.

Constable Gord McCourt was on duty that evening. He had parked a police van on Oak Street, adjacent to the parking lot. A citizen approached Constable McCourt and stated that he had seen a man with a shotgun in the parking lot.

Constable McCourt drove into the parking lot and observed Ethier standing with the shotgun laid across the door handles of a parked car. The second man fled at the sight of the officer. Constable McCourt notified the police dispatcher that he was going to check out a gunman and gave his location. Constable Len Slater, who was booking a prisoner at police headquarters only 2 ½ blocks away, was advised of the incident by the Duty Sergeant. Constable Slater immediately left the police station to assist Constable McCourt.

Meanwhile, Constable McCourt began to approach the gunman on foot. Ethier responded by pointing the shotgun at the officer. Constable McCourt took cover behind a parked vehicle and drew his service revolver. He ordered Ethier to drop the shotgun. Ethier replied by moving around the car and ordering McCourt to drop his gun. McCourt circled the car, keeping out of Ethier’s view and attempted to reach his patrol van. As he reached into his van to obtain the radio microphone, Ethier fired. Constable McCourt was struck in the left shoulder by a single shotgun blast. Notwithstanding Constable McCourt’s wound, he fired four shots, from his service revolver, as Ethier fled. Constable McCourt finally reached the radio microphone and advised the police dispatcher that he had been shot. Constable Norm Shillington, also on patrol, heard the radio transmission and immediately responded. Several other officers also responded from Police Headquarters. Constable Slater was the first officer to arrive at the scene. He stopped his vehicle on Oak Street, adjacent to the parking lot. Constable Slater called Constable McCourt on the police car radio asking for his location. Constable McCourt turned on the flashing roof lights of the police van.

Constable Slater, gun drawn, exited his police car, and walked towards Constable McCourt’s vehicle. Ethier who observed Slater approaching, hid behind a vehicle in the parking lot. As Constable Slater walked by the vehicle, Ethier fired a shot. The shotgun blast struck Constable Slater in the back of the head. Ethier then walked towards Constable McCourt’s location. At this time, the second back up police unit driven by Constable Shillington, entered the parking lot.

As Constable Shillington attempted to bring his police vehicle to a stop, Ethier aimed his shotgun at the officer and fired. Shotgun pellets struck the car window. Shillington jumped out of the right passenger door and took cover behind the right fender. He fired a shot from his service revolver at Ethier, striking him in the throat. Ethier fell to the ground but got up and ran, hiding behind a parked vehicle. Ethier exchanged shots with Constable Shillington. Constable Shillington approached the parked vehicle and located Ethier on the ground, face down. Within seconds, other back up officers were on the scene.

Officers immediately relayed Constable McCourt to hospital in a police vehicle. Constable Slater and Ethier were transported by ambulance. Shortly afterwards, the officers were notified that Constable Slater had succumbed to his injury. Constable McCourt and Ethier would survive their wounds. Constable McCourt would be partially disabled due to his shoulder injury.

On April 20, 1974, Camille Joseph Ethier was convicted of Non-Capital Murder in the slaying of Constable Leonard Slater. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. Charges of Attempted Murder, in relation to Constable Shillington were adjourned sine die (not proceeded with).

Constable Gord McCourt returned to his duties with the North Bay Police Service. He retired several years later and died in 1991 after a lengthy bout with cancer. His son, Wally McCourt, is a Detective Sergeant with the Metropolitan Toronto Police.

Constable Norm Shillington, is now Sergeant Shillington. He is still active with the North Bay Police Service. Many other involved officers have since retired.  Constable Leonard Slater was born in 1941 and raised in Bracebridge, Ontario. He had a great love of the North. He moved to Toronto in 1960, and later joined the Ontario Provincial Police. He was posted to # 5 District Traffic from May 1964 until September 1968. Eager to return to the North, he joined the North Bay Police Service in October of that year. At the time of his death, Len was married and the father of a 12 year old son and two daughters aged 8 and 10. In his five years with the Service, Len obtained a reputation for being firm but fair and was well thought of by his fellow officers, and the members of the community.

A full police funeral, attended by officers from across Canada, and communal service were held as a tribute to Constable Slater.

This page is dedicated to Constable Leonard Slater, who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Sinclair, Dr. Robert #1957 *

Doctor Robert Alexander Sinclair

Born and raised in North Bay, leaving only long enough to obtain his Medical Doctor Degree in 1956, Dr. Robert Sinclair was definitely a northerner at heart.

Bob attended King George Public School and North Bay Collegiate Institute and Vocational School. In the early 1950’s, he left North Bay to attend medical school at the University of Toronto. This is where he met and fell in love with Stella, a beautiful nursing student. Coincidentally, Stella, his wife to be, had grown up 20 minutes away from him in Sturgeon Falls.  After completing his internship at Toronto Western Hospital, the couple returned to North Bay in 1957. Bob joined his father’s medical practice and began his career in family medicine.

In July 1958 Bob and Stella gave birth to their first of four children. Bob was most happy being with his family.  With his children at his side, he enjoyed teaching them about the world and exploring nature . Problems were seen as puzzles,  that just needed to, and always could, be solved.  The company of his children was a necessity as he fixed, puttered and explored his surroundings.

Bob was always willing to try new things and live new adventures. To the delight of his grandchildren he received a pie-in-the-face on his birthday, rode roller-coasters at Disney World, swam rapids, cheered loudly at hockey games, and tapped trees for maple sap.  He enjoyed skiing, fishing, sailing, waterskiing and anything outdoors.  Swimming in the cool, crisp, clean waters at the family cottage on the French River gave him great pleasure.

He had a great respect for nature and instilled that respect in his children. This meant saving dragonflies from certain death if their wings were injured or an intense feeling of remorse after shooting his first, and last, partridge. There was nothing Stella could do, despite her amazing culinary skills, to make that bird taste good. Julia Child would have failed. He never hunted again.

Bob was gifted on many levels and was very much a perfectionist. He had an uncanny memory and a “no nonsense approach”. He could be intimidating, especially if you were not trying your best. He was a constant teacher to his children, although they were unable to wholly absorb the vastness and diversity of his knowledge.  His motto,” You break, I fix” was repeated often to his careless teenagers. Fortunately, as they grew older, his children appreciated the important lessons learned and passed them on to their own children.

He instilled Northern values in his family, especially at the family cottage on the French River. He was truly at home as he developed this retreat.  His resourcefulness was notable as he invented and devised the many necessities of life his family required during their summer times on the river.

Bob lived his life as an empathetic, insightful and beloved family physician. He was a loyal husband, father, friend and real Northerner. He saw the value of our northern country and all it had to offer. The extraordinary efforts being made to improve the downtown and waterfront of North Bay, the city in which he lived and loved, are accomplishments that would make him proud.

Honoured by his family

Shulman, Dr. Garry #1965 *

It takes many leaves to cover a tree and many branches to come together and form the trunk.  Our community is that tree and I want to tell you about one leaf.

One leaf that I know wishes it were still bright green and full of life…. fluttering in the breeze…meeting other leaves…..talking to other leaves…helping other leaves in times of stress so they could believe in themselves and become the best leaf on the tree.

This one special leaf spent a lifetime attaining knowledge and then imparting it to any other leaf that might listen.  This leaf demonstrated to many other leaves that hard work is the overriding ingredient for success and that no project is unattainable if determined to succeed.

Even though this special leaf influenced several other leaves on the tree, it received so much energy back.  This leaf thrived on all the accomplishments of the other leaves and needed this positive feedback which kept it healthy and a brilliant green.

This one special leaf met another special leaf in the springtime of life on the tree.  They were just buds ready to burst into adult leaves.  At first they were just friends but soon both leaves knew that the other leaf would enhance their life so they started growing together on one little branch of the tree.  For a time they basked in the sunshine and forgot other leaves were around them. Both were carefree leaves taking advantage of their youthful exuberance and energy.  Both leaves knew that it would take hard work and compromise to stay together on that little branch and
not be blown apart by the periodic winds that would bend the bigger branch holding them high.  Both leaves enjoyed being close to each other and helping the other when necessary.  Both leaves, they knew that their time on the tree had to be well spent and they both took advantage of all the opportunities afforded them on that little branch. Both leaves knew that in order to survive on that branch they had to let each other be free yet secure.  Each of them knew that the wind may take them in different directions but each knew that they would return to their stable place on that branch.

The tree grew and the branch added three new buds to the branch.  Both leaves knew that these little leaves would add a wonderful dimension to their lives on the tree as now they could enjoy watching these little leaves grow into adulthood.  The special leaf taught the new little leaves many life lessons….life on the tree should be lived to the fullest….. life on the tree will become richer the more you give……never miss an opportunity to teach during your life on the tree….never be afraid to try new things…..never doubt your abilities if you are willing to work hard and persevere….never miss the chance to love.

Life on the tree was very pleasant for a long period.  The new leaves on that little branch matured and each one pursued dreams.  As with life anywhere, there are always bumps along the way…even for leaves.  Sometimes there aren’t enough nutrients, sometimes the sun is too hot, sometimes the wind blows too hard and it can cause damage or sickness to the leaves.  Our special leaf did get diseased.  When we knew our leaf was sick we were all saddened yet hopeful that our special leaf would be able to overcome this setback.  Our leaf tried everything to get better and wasn’t going to accept the bleak picture painted by some.  This is when our leaf started the journey to healing.  This is when our leaf opened the minds of leaves close by to the many aspects of the universe and the power within.  This is when our special leaf looked into the future as if there was no end.

Our special leaf, in the face of death, was very courageous.  That leaf knew his branch was very strong and would continue to grow and add to the fullness of the tree.  There was no lamenting about life on the tree.   Time on the tree had been well spent and filled with many experiences,
total energy and passion for life on that tree.

Our leaf, Garry Shulman, fell off that tree on July  15, 2008 but our family and those who loved him can still feel the stirring of the air as his leaf makes its way to the ground.  It is still floating….keeping aloft by the force of our love for him and his unrelenting energy and passion for
people.

How did our special leaf influence the life of the many leaves who knew and loved him?  There are so many ways.  Our leaf taught us to always make the most of our abilities, relish in the accomplishments of others, be generous with your time and energy, have passion for what you enjoy, explore unique possibilities, surround yourself with positive energy, be physical, travel to new places, don’t always have a schedule, have fun, be adventurous, enjoy life, love deeply.

Our special leaf enjoyed every challenge and new adventure so that even though life on the tree
was cut short our leaf had lived more, loved more and received more from life than most leaves in several lifetimes.

Our leaf would want you to remember his lessons, bring them into your heart and allow them to make your life richer.  This is how we can truly honor the memory of our special leaf………..Garry Shulman………………

Written with love by the family of Garry Shulman