Stories

Rota, John #20 *

John Rota (April 24, 1899 – May 9, 1965)

Honoured by Michael and Aldo Rota.

A simple loaf of bread, a cup of sugar and a container of lard gave someone who was down and out or riding the rails during the Depression a helping hand. Thanks to our father, John Rota, (through City Bakery, the business he founded in 1924) North Bay’s most vulnerable were helped along their way during the Depression and for many years after.

When he spoke to people, whether the poorest of the poor or prominent, affluent citizens, Dad gave everyone his time, attention and respect.   He opened his door to Italian immigrants who arrived in North Bay searching for family and helped them connect with their waiting relatives.

Dad’s word or handshake was his bond. He was a no nonsense humble man with a good sense of humour, a big laugh, and a genuine concern for others.  The vegetables he grew in his magnificent
garden yielded many bushels of produce for the Precious Blood Nuns, friends and neighbours. He devoted two hours every Friday afternoon to visit the sick at St. Joseph’s Hospital to talk to and console and comfort patients in the hospital, many he didn’t know.  He proudly served the community as a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus.

It was these qualities that defined Dad’s character and made a lasting impression on the people he met and the lives he touched.

As a young man of 13 years of age, Dad immigrated to Canada in 1912 from Pietrafitta Calabria in Southern Italy with our grandparents, Michael and Teresa (nee Gatto), who were hard working people with a dream of building a better life in the new world.

Dad grew up to share that dream and at 16 became a railroad man with Temiskaming Northern Ontario (TNO) Railway.  As fate would have it, he met a fellow immigrant from Pietrafitta who owned a bakery across the street from the train station in Cochrane where Dad would work on his layovers.  He learned the bakery trade and eventually left the railway to start his own bakery
business.  He worked hard to provide for his family and his community. From 1922 til his death in 1965, Dad provided for the community of North Bay in a big way.

From 1922 to 1924, before municipal government was formed, Dad voluntarily organized a work crew from TNO and the neighbourhood to blast rock and build water and sewer infrastructure
facilities on Worthington Street from John St to Whitson St, that were relied on, without failure for many years.  Some of the infrastructure is still in use today.

With the construction completed, Dad established City Bakery, also known as home of Aunt May’s
Bread.  It grew under his tireless work ethic, eventually producing more than 17,000 loaves daily in 1957 that were delivered door-to-door in North Bay and transported throughout the region from
Verner to Pembroke and Moosonee to Gravenhurst.   Dad not only baked the bread but he built
the horse drawn delivery wagons and cared for and shod the horses that pulled them until 1963.

At 47 years of age, Dad married mom, Gina (nee Regonaschi) (July 17, 1909 to May 3, 1999), his wonderful partner in life.  They raised my brother Aldo and me and instilled in us his values, ethics and respect for community.

In the end, our Dad was satisfied knowing that his life’s work, in his small way, did a lot of good for this world and his family. It’s that life lesson that remains a beacon in our memory of his life.

I think of and honour the memory of my Dad each and every day when I sign the “J” in my name, an act of remembrance and respect to a man who never wavered from being a great human being.  A man I am very proud to have had as my Dad.

– Michael J. Rota  –

Simpson, Robert (Bert) #180 *

Honoured by Jacqueline Simpson and Family.

Bert was born and raised in Christian  Valley, where he attended school and participated in the chores at the family farm.  His Grandfather, Samuel Simpson, one of the early settlers in the area, built his home in 1880 on what is now known as Simpson Hill.  Later on, his father George Simpson, settled below the hill in Christian Valley.  Bert was a natural entrepreneur and his determination contributed to making him a successful businessman.

In 1952, he started in the automobile business selling Willis Jeep for Northland Equipment Supply Co. followed by seven years at Pitman Motors, the Chrysler Dealer, where he became one of the five major Salesmen for the province of Ontario for three consecutive years.  By 1960, he was ready to open his own Used Car Business as Bert Simpson Motors Ltd.  The first franchise he acquired was Renault in 1963, eventually followed by Datsun until 1976, when he became an AMC/Jeep Dealer.  In 1984, he opened a second Dealership, Gateway City Imports, to represent the Hyundai
franchise.  Finally in 1994 after being involved for 42 years in the car business in North Bay, Bert retired.  During those years he was a past president of the North Bay Automobile Dealers Association and on Dealer Advisory Boards for each franchise that he has held.  His success can be traced back to his hard work, organizational ability and merchandising skills.  He was a man who enjoyed connecting with people, never forgot his roots and remained a country boy at heart with a great appreciation for the rich heritage of the area where he spent his life.

An avid sportsman, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and skiing but his greatest passion was flying.  He owned several aircraft and flew them enthusiastically between 1973 and 1991 to commute to the family cottage in the French River area as well as several cross country flights into Quebec and to Toronto Island.

He was dedicated to his community.  In the early years he sponsored local hockey teams and curling bonspiels and was a member of the West Ferris Lions Club.  He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #617, and the Rorab Shrine Club where he was supportive of the functions, and fundraising activities.  Bert was a former Fund Raising Chairman for the Canadian Cancer Society.  In retirement he very much enjoyed his contribution as a board member for the Nipissing Township Museum.

He was the proud and loving father of Lori (Michael Prior), of Westlake Village, California, Barb (Terry Turl) or Port Perry and Shelli (Don McLeod) also of Port Perry.  His six grandchildren, Shea, Shannon, Abbie, Megan, Taylor and Robert brought a lot of joy to his life.  He took great pride in his family’s accomplishments.

Bert was a passionate man, fully committed to every task he undertook.  By embracing life to its fullest, he accomplished a lot during his lifetime.   He was a very positive person with a winning smile and a presence that was felt wherever he went.  He passed away on August 4, 2008.  His legacy lives on in his children because he inspired them and instilled values by being a role model.

Peever, Goldie Louise #818 *

Honoured by Louise Sunstrum

Goldie Peever (nee Minniken) was born on a farm in Barrie in 1896 and grew up the youngest of 8
children.  She moved to North Bay in her teens to be a local seamstress.

Her quiet dignity and calm composure are the characteristics I most admired.

I have fond memories of rushing into her house and heading to the cookie jar full of her homemade oatmeal and date cookies.  This always made her smile.

My grandmother was happiest when she was creating a box full of doll clothes for her grandchildren.  I remember her tending her vegetables and raspberry bushes and encouraging us to taste the fruits of her labour.  This is how she passed on her love of sewing and gardening to the next generations.

Once, she reminisced about the Depression, when she fed hoboes who stopped at her door on Laurier Avenue while keeping her own family fed. A lifelong trait of hers was to have empathy and help those less fortunate.

Bingo was her passion and I remember going with her often as a child to the Orange Hall.  We shared the excitement of the game and I beamed with joy at the outfit I bought with my winnings.  My brother and I often gathered around the card table learning the intricacies of games from her and to this day I can sense her when I pick up a deck of cards.

She was a product of her era, a homemaker self-reliant, even in widowhood, helping her neighbours, family, St. John’s Church and the Rebecca Lodge.    By example, she nurtured life skills of determination, level headedness, hard work and flexibility to another generation of daughters prepared to meet life’s complex challenges.

The period of change in her lifetime from the 1890s was formidable. The struggles of the Great Depression and two world wars, the hardship of disease and epidemics before medicare and modern medicine, the physical hardship before electricity and the modern automated world, take survivor skills unmatched today.  She survived with a tenacious character, a stoic determination and a quiet gentleness.

I wish we had spoken more of her early trials and tribulations in North Bay, but she was always interested in the present life of her family.  She was one of the quiet, unsung heroines of this nation who built a foundation of tolerance, community service and family for which Canadians are known.

She died in the grips of Alzheimer’s disease, robbed of speech but still viewed by me with love and admiration of her qualities and virtues to the end. I was named after my grandmother and have always felt a soulful connection to her and I hope that I am a continuation of her spirit and make her proud.

Holmes, Mike #77 *

Honored by his sister, Karen Holmes

I have literally “grown” up with Mike, but we have also been friends and colleagues. A rich way to go through life, with your brother.
William Michael Holmes, (Mike) was born on December 21, 1953 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in North Bay, Ontario, to parents, Vic and Agnes Holmes. Mike is the third of five children and his other siblings are David, Lisa, and Gerard, who reside in Southern Ontario.

Mike attended St. Alexander’s Primary and Mother Saint Bride’s Elementary (where he was president of Student Council) schools in North Bay, before heading to Scollard Hall Secondary, for three years of academics and basketball. Mike’s parents offered him the opportunity to study grade 12 and 13 at Regina Mundi College in London, Ontario, and he took it. While away, he passed the Real Estate Licensing exams and worked for his father at Vic Holmes Real Estate Ltd. during summers. In 1976, in his final year of university, he married his high school sweetheart, Michelle Currie of London. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario. They then headed back to North Bay, where Mike went to work with his Dad, this time, on a full time basis. This was always his plan.

Like his parents before him, Mike and Michelle felt that North Bay was the best place to raise a family. They have two children, Kelly and Bill, who now reside in Toronto and B.C. respectively, but make frequent visits home to get their dose of northern air and to re-visit their roots.

Mike took well to real estate early on and became a Broker in 1979 and eventually a top producer. He served on copious industry committees as well as becoming the President of the North Bay Real Estate Board in 1983. In 1986, he took over his Dad’s company with his business partner, Norm Pellerin, to form Holmes and Pellerin Real Estate Ltd. Holmes and Pellerin soon became synonymous with the ‘go- to’ name in real estate and they enjoyed much success. Mike was named number 1 sales representative for 11 consecutive years, 2000-2011. After earning an enviable reputation and being proudly known as one of the last independent brokerages in the city, Mike and Norm decided to move in a new direction and work as independent sales brokers for Royal LePage North Bay Services, Brokerage in January of 2012. This would enable them to spend more time concentrating only on servicing their clients. Mike also continues to contribute to the Ontario Real Estate Association by sitting on committees and working to implement changes within the industry.

Over the years, Mike has tirelessly been an integral part of North Bay’s fundraising fabric and sponsor to many local initiatives. Also, he was instrumental, on a local level, in Mike Harris’ election campaign which eventually led Harris to his position as Premier of Ontario. Mike has personally worked on behalf of many charitable organizations, but particularly, Rotary, The Ontario Wellness/Pain Control Organization, and Nipissing Association for Disabled Youth.- NADY. He is also a Director of the Performance Boat Club of Canada which holds an annual Poker Run in North Bay on Lake Nipissing, in support of NADY and has raised over $40,000 to date. Mike’s own catamaran is well known as, “Keep N Busy “. An apt description of both the boat and the man.

Mike’s strong work ethic, integrity, sense of humour, kindness and compassion towards others has consistently shone through the stream of his life, both personally and professionally. Those who know him well can attest to this. He has contributed to North Bay in a tangible way, giving back to the city that has given him and his family so much.

As usual, in all facets of his life, Mike continues to be a man who’s “Keep N Busy”.

Cline, Elva (Lynett) & Arnold #28 *

Elva Patricia (Lynett) Cline, born Dec. 8, 1930, to Mary Esther McFadden and Thomas Patrick Lynett,  in North Bay, ON

&

Arnold Russell Cline, born May 25, 1932, to Marjorie Robinson and William Ernest Cline, in New Liskeard, ON

Elva attended school in North Bay, graduating from N.B.C.I. & V.S. where she excelled as a student and was the senior girl’s track and field champion and basketball star.  She then attended the North Bay Teachers’ College.  Her first teaching assignment was at the North Bay Golf Course Public School, which had eight grades in one room.  When it was closed, she was the first teacher in the new Vincent Massey Public School (again 8 grades in one room) but a new building.

Arnold’s family moved to Kirkland Lake where he attended Central Public School and KLCVI. His first employment was as a miner with Wright Hargreaves Gold Mine.  Subsequently, he moved to North Bay where he was employed by Hamilton and Loney Flooring and Frank Speers Supply Company before starting his own company, Thermo Coustics Ltd., in 1967.   Arnold has since passed the company on to his sons, John and Tom.

Arnold met Elva through a friend, who had portrayed her as “his Old Maid school teacher” sister. Elva and Arnold were married in North Bay’s St. Andrews United Church in 1953.   They raised four children, John, Colleen, Thompson and Shawna, who are residents of North Bay.

Elva, while raising the children, continued displaying her administrative and athletic prowess at the North Bay Golf and Country Club where she served as Ladies Section Captain, President and won many golfing awards.  She was also a member of the Northern Ontario Champion Colt Curling team in her first year with the club graduating to the Skip’s position.  She
also enjoyed bowling and won many trophies.

Arnold joined the North Bay Roughrider Football Club and played until an injury ended his playing career.  He continued to contribute to Ontario’s football programs as Referee for NOSSA and NFC games; Secretary, President and Referee-in-Chief of the Northern Football Conference and the North Bay Football Club; he has been awarded the Mitchell/Avery Memorial Award, Ontario Amateur Football Association “Pigskin” Award, elected to the NFC Hall of Fame and in
1991 was the Honourary Chairman of the North Bay Bulldogs Football Club.  Arnold was inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame on April 27, 2002, in recognition of his over 40-year contribution to  football as a player, official and builder.

Elva and Arnold have contributed to North Bay society over the years with their involvement in many community groups including memberships and holding various offices in:  Omond
Memorial United Church, North Bay Golf and Country Club,  The Kiwanis Club of North Bay,          Associated Canadian Travelers, Nipissing Masonic Lodge No. 420 Rameses Shrine Club,

We, the children, grand-children and great-grand-children of Elva and Arnold Cline want to ensure that everyone knows how much we admire the hard work, dedication and positive outlook Elva and Arnold have brought to us as well as their community.

Honoured by John Cline.

 

Elliott, Edna May #82 *

Honoured by Mr. & Mrs. Johnston C Elliott (“Dinty”)

Edna was born in West Seneca, N.Y., USA, on 4 October, 1894, daughter of Marian and Emmanual deGuehery.  She was raised and educated in Buffalo, N.Y.

She spent her summer vacations at the farm of her uncle, William Cuthbert, in Chalk River, Ontario.  There, she met and subsequently married Charles Elliott in 1915.  The couple had
two sons while in Chalk River, and then a daughter and two sons after moving to North Bay.

Edna was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in North Bay, serving as President of the Women’s Association and was a Dominion Life Member of the Janet Holmes Mission Circle.  She was a Sunday school teacher, and headed the Cradle Roll department for many years.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, and a long-time member of the Civic Hospital Auxiliary.  She was very active in the Girl Guide Association, and served as Area Commissioner from 1938 for 25 years, for which she was awarded a Life Membership and awarded the coveted “Thank You award from the Boy Scout Movement.

She thoroughly enjoyed summer at their cottage on Lake Nipissing, and was devoted to her five children, but also ‘mothered’ the neighbourhood kids – a loving and understanding woman, with the ‘patience of Job’.

She had poor health during her last several years, and passed away in 1976 at the age of 81, after a full and active life of service to her family, her church and her community.

Elliott, Charles James #81 *

Honoured by Mr. & Mrs. Johnston C Elliott (“Dinty”)

Charles was born to William and Alice Elliott on 5 June 1891.  William was a locomotive engineer who worked on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway from Mattawa, through North Bay, to Schreiber in the 1880s and 1890s and resided in North Bay.  At the age of five, in 1896, Charles moved with his parents and siblings, to Chalk  River, Ontario, where he received his elementary education.  He graduated from Business College in Pembroke in 1907, and joined the CPR in Chalk River as a yardman in 1908.

He married Edna May deGuehery in Chalk  River in 1915 where the couple had two sons – Thomas E. and Johnston C.   In 1921, Charles was promoted to night yardmaster in North Bay, and the family moved there where three more children were added to their family – a daughter Betty, and two sons, Wilburt and Gordon.  Charles shared the management of the CPR passenger and freight rail yard system with the day yardmaster, William Dreany.  Other members of Charlie’s Elliott family who worked for the CPR were his uncle, David J Elliott, and son John, locomotive engineers; his brother, Johnston H.

Elliott, freight and passenger agent; Charlie’s sons Johnston C., clerk, Wilburt C., clerk, and Gordon K., trainman, and son-in-law Verne Grozelle, clerk – truly an early CPR family worthy of recognition on the pergola and Waterfront Park!

Charles
was a member of St. John’s
Anglican Church, charter secretary of North Bay Masonic Lodge No. 420, the
I.O.O.F. and Brotherhood of the Railway Trainmen.  Despite his night work, he was devoted to his
family, catering to all their needs, and he enjoyed fishing and his cottage on Lake Nipissing.

He was
promoted to General Yardmaster in the early 1930s and retired due to ill health
in 1948 after 40 years of service.  He
passed away in 1952 following a lengthy illness. He was 61.

Nine of Hearts #369 *

Honoured by the Nine of Hearts Members.

NINE OF HEARTS

We ladies gathered in the winter of 1992
For quilting, knitting, gossip – just something to do
We started with five members, then thought we’d add more
We’re now at nine, but who’s keeping score?

We try each year a quilt to donate
To what worthy cause? Our standard debate
We piece together blocks that we trade and share
And hope that our quilt shows that we really care.

These ladies really need no special introduction
But I’ll highlight/relate each talent and function.

First off, there is ANNE, our “Bag” lady it’s true
She’s into antiques and glass that is blue
DIANE, motorcycle rider who has quilter “Mom”
Is computer smart and makes great cake with rum.

JOANNE, major volunteer, has heart of pure gold
Loves chocolate and purple or so I’ve been told.
Quilt stores in town have a KATHRYN “Alert”
She has “fabricaholic” tendencies, even at work.

“Guru” LOUISE-charter member- has extensive collection
For her to stop quilting is out of the question.
LYNN keeps busy organizing each and every one
Whose home? What dessert? Has project been done?

SUE, esteemed teacher and Baltimore quilt “Queen”
Her mitered corners and appliqué, the best that you’ve seen
VICKY “Thirties” fabrics and gardening keep her real busy
Add working full time, makes the rest of us dizzy.

On Wednesdays each week, we’re always together
Volunteering or quilting, whatever the weather
We’ll keep working hard till the hour – eleventh
This explanation courtesy of RUTH ANNE DRENTH.

P.S. Nothing rhymes with Drenth

Ruth Anne Drenth Vicky Sutherland
Louise Davies Diane Szewczyk
Lynn Palangio Anne Quast
Kathryn Newman Joanne Comerford
Susan Steele