Stories

North Bay Golden Age Club Volunteers # 2011 *

Honoured by the North Bay Golden Age Club.

Leaf #2011 is dedicated to the many volunteers of the North Bay Golden Age Club.  The year 2011 is the celebration of 50 years of helping the seniors of North  Bay and area.   Without the many volunteers that have donated their time, knowledge and skills over the past, the club probably would not be in a position to celebrate its golden Anniversary.
The Golden Age club, with Mr. Bob Babcock, who in 1961 felt that there was no place for seniors in the age range of 50 years plus could belong.  Thus, with his wife Florence and 22 people gathered at his home on Algonquin Avenue, formed a club for the socializing of persons in that age group.  It did not take long and the club started to grow.  They soon had to move and find a new meeting place.

After much hard work, those early members soon found that by volunteering as well as having un,  raised money by having bake sales, card parties, dances and teas, right down to getting the beautiful home that we now have at: The Golden Age Towers, 135 Worthington St. West.  We can be thankful to all these great volunteers.  The North Bay Golden Age Club can boast of
doing many good things as well as serving our members and those seniors 50+, because through the many hours of volunteering, we were able to donate $25,000 to the new North Bay
Regional Hospital Building Fund,  along with providing a free service called the Are You OK telephone call service.

Volunteers are a rare commodity in this busy world,  but I am proud to say we can boast of donating many hours.  For the first six months of 2011, the hours logged for volunteering have
reached 3,859.25 hours.  In the year 2011, our club still hosts many of the same activities it did in the very beginning having volunteers working hard and having fun with even more
varied selection of things to do just about every day of the week.  There is pool, floor shuffle board, card games, Wii games, trump bowling, dances, teas, socials and a variety of other
things to do.  This would not be possible if it were not for our many dedicated volunteers.  By offering all this to seniors, we are able to keep many seniors active and out of nursing homes.

To close, the North Bay Golden Age club says a great big Thank You to the many
volunteers over the past 50 years.

Charland, Jeanne et Edouard #2009 *

Honoured by the Charland Family

«Soyons reconnaissants aux personnes qui nous donnent du bonheur: elles sont les charmants jardiniers par qui nos âmes sont fleuries.» (Marcel Proust)
Avec amour et mille et un mercis
De votre famille

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy: they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” (Marcel Proust)
With love and a thousand and one thanks
From your family

Clark MD, Doug #1998

Honoured by Judy Fraser, John & Daphne Andrews and Brian and Patricia Shaw.

Thank you for purchasing a leaf of inspiration and for supporting your Waterfront Park.  Story to follow.

Falconi, Anne & Michael #2499 *

Honoured by the Falconi family.

Michael Falconi came to Canada from Pisterzo, Italy, when he was 16.  He came to a foreign land with the hope of starting a new life for himself – his destiny and his fate were unknown.The dream of a new world and the vision of a new beginning beckoned him  and he confronted the many challenges that awaited him with fear and optimism.  He worked on the railway, first as a labourer and eventually as a foreman.

Ann Felice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Felice, and Michael were married at St. Rita’s Church in North Bay.

While Michael worked on the railway, he and Ann lived in Skeed and Daventry.  They then moved to North  Bay where he managed the Monte Carlo Restaurant in North Bay, in partnership with Steve Marmino.

Eventually, he opened Falconi Men’s and Boys’ Wear in 1951 and specialized in men’s
clothing apparel for both the young and old.  Ann did all the alterations and devotedly worked beside Michael and contributed to the success of the business.   The clothing store was the gathering place for the grandchildren – there were always a couple of children visiting them at the store.  In 1972, Ann and Mike retired from a successful clothing business and left their mark as very honest business people in the community of North Bay.  Other business ventures that Michael was involved with included owning a pool room, ice cream parlour and apartment buildings.

They had four sons, Frank, Albert, Gary and Richard.
Their dream of educating their children was realized when Frank became a lawyer, Al became a teacher, principal and a deacon, Gary became and industrial accountant and Richard became a teacher.

With much affection, guidance and care, Ann and Michael proved to be loving parents and grandparents.  Their home was the center of every celebration.   Ann’s homemade cooking brought the family together as she prepared everyone’s favourite dishes.

Ann died on July 5, 1989 and Mike died on February 12, 1999.  They are dearly missed by all family members and friends.

Authored by Richard Falconi

Manley, Ida Mae #1902 *

Ida Mae Manley
1902 – 1980

A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.  ~Author Unknown
This is the story of a descendant of the Manleys and the Fortunes, who settled in Bruce County in the mid 1800’s from England.  My Grandmother was born on Sept. 1, 1902 and enjoyed a typical rural childhood in a Southern Ontario farming community.  After high school she attended the *Stratford Normal School, (1908). This was one of four schools, including the North Bay Normal School (1909), built to increase the quantity of qualified teachers in Ontario and improve the quality of rural education.

Grandma taught from 1923 until marrying John Harvie in 1927.  She gave birth to my mother, Doreen Cook, in 1928.  In 1931 Katherine was born but lived only 10 days.  In 1932 Robert Harvie was born, followed by Raymond in 1934.

For seven years, following the stock market crash of 1929, Grandma’s family endured great hardship. Like many, they lost their property and many possessions in the great depression.  My Grandfather was injured in an industrial accident and passed away in 1935, leaving Grandma to raise three young children.  Together with her widowed Mother, Dorinda Manley, (nee) Fortune, they created a secure, loving home for their family.  Enduring hardship was nothing new for the Fortune family.  Dorinda had relatives who died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. (A great uncle, Mark Fortune, and his son Charles).

My Grandma returned to work as a teacher in the fall of 1940 and taught in various locations until she retired in 1967.  Both Sons went on to have successful careers in the Royal Canadian Navy.  Doreen`s  lifelong dream was to work in healthcare, and after she and Allan Cook raised their five children,  she became a healthcare aid and worked in Geriatrics for 10 years until her retirement.   My Grandma was her best friend and they were always together enjoying good times with family. Grandma suffered from congestive heart failure for years before and after, she retired. Despite its chronic disabling effects and impairment in lifestyle, she continued to make the most of every day. It was always her passion to be in the service of others, including volunteering for church and community groups, and caring for an aging parent well into her retirement years. She cared for herself through caring for others.

Later in life, Grandma learned how to drive and bought a V.W. Beetle.  Sundays were our day to take the Bug and go for drives, always ending up at our favorite restaurant for dinner.  There was always time for a game of rummy or Parcheesi.  Her kindness, and genuine interest in others; her sense of humor; selflessness; and love of life, were very endearing and exceptional qualities. Her strong character; positive attitude and complete faith in the spirit of humankind are her legacy.

Ontario Plaques

Nipissing University – Current Projects

Encyclopedia Titanica

By – Marion Cook, Nipissing University Alumni – 2005.

Claudio, Joe “Giuseppe” #1984 *

This story is written in memory of Joe “Giuseppe” Claudio, a much loved husband, father and
grandfather.

Joe was born in Muzzana, Italy on May 4, 1931, to Maria and Ernesto Claudio.  The family, including three brothers and one sister, later moved to Mortegliano, where Joe went to school,
and helped on his father’s farm. At age eighteen he joined the Italian army in the “Alpino” division.  He served the next two and a half years in the Alps of northern Italy.  His army service was a great source of pride to him.

In his early twenties he moved to Neuchatel, Switzerland, where he began working in the construction industry.  This was to be his life-long vocation. He immigrated to Canada in 1956 to join his older brother, Tita.  After working for a few months in Windsor, North Bay became his home.  His work ethic was second to none.  He went from being a labourer, to a painting contractor, to owner of his own construction company in just a few short years.  The homes he
built throughout the city will be a lasting memorial to this hard working man.

There was so much more to Joe than being a good provider who took great pride in his work. In 1961 he married Sandra Leyburne and they had two wonderful children, Lisa and David. When Lisa married Sam Najm in 1993, he was the proud “father of the bride”.  This marriage was blessed with two precious girls, Gabriella and Maia.  They were the joy of his life. Joe also loved to dance and in his younger years never missed a party at the Davedi Club; sitting out a waltz or a cha cha was never an option. Fishing and hunting were relaxing pastimes as well.  However, he realized later that there was much more enjoyment in feeding the ducks than hunting them.

His life in Canada, his adopted home, was happy and fulfilling, but a part of his heart remained in Italy. Many summer months were spent there with the family. His wife and children fell in
love with his country, and all the family who lived there. In 1984 he built a vacation home in Mortegliano.  I cannot find words to describe the peace and happiness the whole family felt there.

Sadly, Joe passed away suddenly on November 24, 2010, leaving a huge gap in all our hearts.  He was greatly loved, and although we miss him terribly, we will always have our memories of his “life well lived”.

We will love you always.

Sandra, Lisa, David, Sam, Gaby and Maia.