Dolorès était pour moi une amie très chère. Toujours généreuse avec ses conseils comme avec les fruits de son jardin, elle aimait la bonne chère et ne manquait jamais la messe.
Originaire de Corbeil, elle eut successivement des carrières d’institutrice et de femme d’affaires dans le domaine des assurances. Elle aimait voyager, particulièrement en France et d’autres coins d’Europe et c’était une joueuse avide de bridge de tournoi.
Dolores was a very dear friend to me. She was always generous with her advice, as she was with the fruits of her garden. She loved a good time and never missed Mass.
Born in Corbeil, she successfully enjoyed careers as a teacher and a business woman in the field of insurance. She loved to travel, particularly to France and other corners of Europe. She was also an avid tournament bridge player.
Honoured by Brian and Pat, Hal and Linda, Randy and Valerie and Daren and Brenda in recognition of over 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories in North Bay.
Honoured by Brian and Pat, Hal and Linda, Randy and Valerie, and Daren and Brenda in recognition of over 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of memories in North Bay. Orval and Jessie were both born in North Bay in 1927 – Orval on March 11th and Jessie on July 30th. Jessie grew up on a farm in the Wasi area near Callander before moving to North Bay to find work as a young adult. Orval has lived in North Bay all his life. Orval began a 44-year railway career in 1943 with the Canadian Pacific Railway as a carman apprentice in North Bay. His father, who also worked at the railway, passed away suddenly around this time. After his apprenticeship, Orval continued to work as a carman and then as a car foreman until his retirement in 1987. Orval was a well-liked and respected foreman known to his co-workers only as “Sully”.
Orval and Jessie met on a double date with their older siblings, since Orval’s brother, Ken, was dating Jessie’s sister, Ella. Both couples ended up marrying with Orval and Jessie‘s wedding being on June 18, 1948.
They brought up a family of four sons – Brian, Hal, Randy and Daren – on Princess Street, where they developed lasting friendships with several of the neighbouring families. As young children, their sons remember their father leaving for the afternoon shift as they arrived home from school. As train schedules were fairly precise, he would often arrive home for a quick dinner, returning to the rail yards in time to service the next scheduled arrival.
Jessie is renowned within her family for her baking. Every one of her nine grandchildren – Catherine and Matthew; David and Daniel; Jennifer, Jessica and James; Rebecca and Geoffrey – has their favourite treat, whether it is apple pie, muffins, cookies, or strawberry jam. All of the family dinner gatherings have what seems to be an inexhaustible supply of “goodies” to choose from.
In retirement, Orval has continued to work on the railway – volunteering his time, along with several other retired railway workers, to maintain the heritage railway, where he has been honoured with a signpost marked “Sullivan 100”. Orval also enjoys carpentry. He has been known to make wooden toys for his grandchildren, to help his sons and neighbours with their renovation projects, and, more recently, build birdhouses for every child in his daughter-in-law’s primary school class. Orval and Jessie continue to enjoy spending time with their family, which has grown to include grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Since the railway has been a big part of their lives, both are proud of the waterfront development of the railway land that started in the 1980s with a promenade along the shoreline and continues to this day.
Sometimes it is difficult to put into words what someone has meant to us in his lifetime. Not so for anyone who was lucky enough to know Brian Etmanski. When speaking of and remembering Brian, what comes to mind are thoughts of a man of honour, devotion and great character, wearing many and varied hats as he walked through his all-too-short lifetime in his beloved home of North Bay.
Devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, dad, grandfather; dedicated nurse, talented singer, musical leader; champion in his own right as well as champion of and for others, and perhaps the most meaningful for us, friend: these are just some of the descriptors of Brian.
Son of Max and long-time Baytones Harmony Chorus Inc. member, Rita Etmanski, Brian served as the Baytones’ musical director for several years working diligently to improve and showcase the talents of the membership. During this happy time, his love of music in partnership with his knowledge, encouragement and dedication served to challenge and inspire us to improve our craft and share it with family, friends and community. It is our great honour to continue that legacy and in so doing, to honour the love of music that our dear friend brought to and nurtured within us. “Thank you Brian.”
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle and Friend. These words describe the man we are honoring with this leaf, but there was so much more to Jay Stroud.
He was a Jack of all trades who knew how to put an engine together in his sleep, and knew how to fix anything. If you had a problem, he could solve it with his hands, his laughter or Duct Tape. If he didn’t know the answer, he would find you a book that would have the answer.
Jay Stroud was born in Streetsville, Ontario in 1949. The youngest of 5 children born to Alma and James Stroud, he was always given hand me downs and was the last one in the cold bathwater, but never complained. He would often tell stories about his youth and there was something about the way he told them that made you feel like you were there. He didn’t have it easy, but he grew up knowing the value of a dollar, and had a work ethic like no other.
Jay had quite an interesting youth. He and his brothers were considered troublemakers back in the 60’s. They raced cars and did what boys do, much to the frustration of their mother, who would often be found pulling them apart during a tense stand off. At 24, Jay lost his father due to illness and quickly became the rock that everyone counted on. A strong man, Jay became the husband and father his own father would have been proud of.
A diesel mechanic all his life, he worked hard to support his family. His knowledge of Mack trucks was extensive and everyone knew it. He was the man you would call if your truck needed a fix and many people in town respected his opinion and hard work. He understood Customer Service and took great pride in the quality of his work.
He also knew how to laugh and have fun. He was a natural comedian who was the life of the party. If there was a camera around, he would often ‘Ham’ it up and create cherished memories that we all hold so dear. He had a language all his own, and lucky for us, we all spoke it.
Jay was a wonderful husband and best friend to Cathy for 42 years. Having met when they were just kids in high school, they went through this life as a team. They raised 3 kids and did it with an ease and warmth that only true love brings. Although things were not always easy they faced every challenge together and came out stronger and happier on the other side.
As a father he was brilliant. He was always kind and thoughtful, and respected his children. He let them spread their wings and fly and always let them know that they had roots and a home to come back to. There was so much laughter surrounding him. His ability to calm every fear, and solve every problem made him the best Dad to his children.
Jay adored his four grandchildren. Each and every one of them carries traits of him with them into the future. He was proud of them and treasured the moments he shared with them. Whether making hot chocolate, sitting around a Bon Fire or just hanging out reading a story, he was always fun to be around. He always had a joke or a funny story and a warm hug if needed. He loved them all dearly and was loved in return.
Jay could always be found puttering around his garage, which he named “The Lodge”. He loved it in there and would often invite friends over to sit and enjoy the scenery and sunshine that he loved so much. In fact, no invitation was required. If you were in the neighborhood, you were always welcome to pop in for a cold one and some conversation about fishing, a good joke and maybe some tall tales about your youth.
Whether he was just taking a nice long walk or tossing a ball with the dog, he enjoyed being outside, even though mosquitoes seemed to love him, much to his frustration. It was pretty rare that he would be found inside the house on weekends. There was always something to do outside, unless there was a NASCAR race on and of course, being a true “meat and potatoes” man, he would never miss Sunday’s traditional Roast Beef dinner.
He watched every NASCAR race he could and even attended some official events. For many years he raced locally at the Speedway, and had trophies to show for his hard work. He liked classic cars as well, and often talked about his 1956 Red Chevy he owned in his youth. A photograph of it still hangs in a frame on the wall.
He was well known for being an honest, hard working man and he would be proud of that legacy. He leaves behind a wife who loved him and a family that adored him. This world is not the same without him, and our family hopes that this leaf and story will give those that knew him some comfort and those that didn’t some idea of who he was and will always be.
We love you and miss you.
Cathy, Jason, Wes, Lori, Holly, Cody, Ashley, Parker, Tyler, family and friends
Jay Stroud: Forever in our hearts 1949-2010
The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning that it was your last day, In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone. For part of us went with you, the day you left us.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, But as we leave this earth, one by one, the chain will link again.
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done, I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and summer days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun, Of happy memories that I leave When life is done.
