Stories

Biafore, Amelia & Emilio #8 *

It was Pre-World War One and many years before our Dad, Emilio, was born, that his father also decided to leap the Atlantic Ocean from Italy to Canada seeking a more prosperous life in an unknown land with an uncertain future.  Although both father and son worked in North Bay, it was Emilio who arrived solo in 1952 and settled in the growing North Bay Italian community in Post WWII.   The young newlywed was sponsored for employment by John Rota at Aunt May’s City Bakery.  Eventually in 1953, he was joined by his new bride Amelia and their two young daughters, ages three and two.   Uprooted from her home, the week-long voyage on the ‘Vulcania’ immigrant passenger ship brought her and the girls to North Bay (from the port of Napoli) via Halifax and Montreal. Our loving parents, Emilio and Amelia cultivated their struggling new life, overcoming the language and culture differences as did many residents from the same Calabrian village who happily settled here.  Hard working immigrants with hearts of gold are the backbone of this great city. Life was good and their courageous journey led them to be proud Canadian citizens by 1957.

Emilio continued to be a pillar of strength.  He worked strenuously to support his family and it wasn’t his broken English but his strength of character and values that shaped our lives and his dealing with others.  He was an avid gardener and always carefully maintained his plentiful vegetable, vines and shrubs. Emilio eagerly shared his gardening knowledge and could always be found with his seeds and watering can in hand.  He also enjoyed his leisurely winemaking activities and regularly seemed to have a do-it-yourself project on the go.  Through all the laughs, it was always his family and young grandchildren that made him happiest.

Our gentle and caring Mom, Amelia, devoted her life to ensuring that her five children were raised in the most devoted, faith-filled and caring environment. Over the years, our parents lovingly provided the upbringing based on the rich and amazing culture they left behind and maintained it with as much enthusiasm as they did learning to live in their new surroundings and environment. We will always be blessed with the grace of her tender hearted love. She continually instilled the value of faith and community.  Amelia was a good friend to many and a lifelong member and executive of the Catholic Women’s League of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, a Davedi Club member, volunteer at St. Joseph’s hospital as well as being involved in various local groups, organizations and events.

Mama and Papa are shining examples of an irreplaceable generation that boldly forged a path and survived the cultural shift with the integrity, love and respect of their family and friends.

We and the nine grandchildren and many great grandchildren live our lives daily by their unconditional love and respect.

Con tanto amore infinito.  We love you forever and always.

Authors,
Fran Burman, Rose Murphy, Sue Lunnin, Nina Regimbald and Tony Biafore

Lawlor, Stan Michael #40 *

Honoured by his family. 

Stan Michael Lawlor
(June 9, 1970 – July 1, 2010)

Stan will always be remembered for his love of history, music, nature and his devotion to his nieces, Brooke and Abby, who are the daughters of his brother, Sean and his wife Lisa.

Following graduation from Scollard Hall, he attended Nipissing University, where he graduated with an Honours Degree in History. He went on to attend the University of Toronto, where he graduated with a Masters degree in History, and wrote his thesis on the founding of Tembec. His Ph.D. studies were cut short, when Crohn’s disease forced him to withdraw from Concordia University and return to North Bay to be close to his family. In his last 15 years, he applied his many talents as a consultant with the family firm of Lawlor & Associates.

Students in his history courses at Nipissing University remember him as a dedicated and promising young professor, who brought music into the classroom, using his talents as a guitarist and singer to teach them about Working Class History, Canadian Frontier Life and a variety of other subjects.

Throughout his life, Stan acquired a love for Trout Lake. From his childhood days at the family home and cottage on Peninsula Road to the last decade of his life, when he spent every possible minute at the family retreat on Hemlock Island, with his parents, Stan and Geri, or at the home of Sean and Lisa just across the lake, Stan learned to love and respect the lake. He was an avid “catch and release” fisherman, spending countless early morning and late evening hours on the lake in a relentless quest for the elusive Muskie. Although he enjoyed catching fish, he often reminded us that it was called fishing and not catching. He really experienced as much enjoyment from fishing as he did from catching. As his nieces Brooke and Abby came along, he cherished the opportunity to share their pleasure at catching rock bass from the dock. On one occasion, he even had the opportunity to share their excitement at catching a three-pound small mouth bass. As the fish squirmed on the dock prior to release, Abby squealed “Stannie, this is crazy.” He never forgot their excitement at catching their first big fish.

Stan’s love for music was legendary. He became an accomplished guitarist and singer, who enjoyed the many hours he spent with his childhood friends at “Waxy’s shack” where they wrote and played music. Among those who shared his joy for music were Jim Harney, Mike Conto, Dean Falconi, Bob Wills, Waxy Belbin and his many musical friends. Their company always gave him a lift when he needed one, to assist in dealing with the many health challenges that he experienced. Just shortly before his death, Stan and Mike Conto finished “The Keys to Three” which was a CD of selections that they had written and produced over the previous decade.

Without a doubt, Stan got the greatest satisfaction from the opportunity he had to share so much time with Brooke and Abby, who adored him as much as he loved them. With them, he was always consistent and unselfishly generous. Whether it was fishing, watching a fishing show, enjoying the thrill of seeing their excitement on Christmas morning, attending their birthday parties, ‘advising’ Sean and Lisa on how to deal most appropriately with the girls, or teaching them about music, Stan took advantage of every opportunity to become a role model and mentor to his two nieces.

As a family, we will always treasure the many lessons that we learned from Stan during his all too short life, as he tested the limits and challenged all of us to reach the high bar he set for both himself and the rest of us. Never one to be modest or lack confidence, one of Stan’s trademark statements, as a teenager, was “It’s good to be the King.”

Upon Stan’s passing, one of Stan’s high school classmates noted that “he had a wonderful, generous spirit, and none of his high school classmates will forget his decency, his buoyant sense of humour or how he pushed the boundaries of fashion, ever elegantly, in our small community. His memory is an inspiration.”

Potvin, Michele & Jerry Fricker #1960 *

Honoured by Jaclyn Pitman.

My sister Michele had the most genuine, kindest soul.  You couldn’t help being taken in by her charm and cheerful disposition.  Although she was older, Michele would introduce me, with great pride, to anyone in her proximity, as her big sister, a gesture that always warmed my heart.

Daughter to Jack and Marilyn Potvin, Michele was born May 10, 1960 with a congenital heart defect, Von Willebrand disease, and Noonan Syndrome.  From the very beginning this little one found her strength to overcome.  Spending her younger years in and out of Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, Michele persevered with her strong will and happy spirit in check; a little
stubbornness too!  Although Michele was unable to attend school, she went on to live a normal, loving and fulfilling life.

A social butterfly, Michele mad many new friends along the way.  Bowling was her passion, and since she was so good at it, Michele became part of the ‘Special Olympics’ bowling team. Here is
where she met the love of her life, Jerry Fricker.  Within a short time these two were inseparable.  Paving the way for themselves and others, Jerry and Michele were married September 18, 1999.  A beautiful wedding was celebrated with many family and friends.

The happy couple began life  as husband and wife in their very own apartment, a new-found independence for both.  Every day was an adventure for this very special pair.  They spent all their time together, never wasting a moment.  It was obvious to everyone that they were very much in love.

Sadly on August 1, 2004 at the age of 44, Michele passed away suddenly.  For the ones closest to her, it was a loss that was felt deeply.  Without her, our lives would never be the same.  Who she
was and the love she bestowed upon us, is etched in our hearts for  eternity.

Michele was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.  An angel disguised as my sister, she taught me about compassion, about myself and about the power of unconditional love.

 

Nicholson, Phyllis Dora #979 *

Honoured by Lauri  Mainville

On July 29, 1926 Phyllis Dora was born to Frank and Dora Smith.  From a very young age, Phyllis wanted to participate fully in life and be physically active.  Growing up in the 1930s there were no school buses so Phyllis walked or rode her bike everywhere; to school, Sunday school, mission band and to CGIT.   In high school she placed second in the junior ski championship slalom event at Laurentian Ski Hill.  Phyllis was also a great gymnast; cartwheels were effortless for her.  She was very adventurous and enjoyed nature and spending time outdoors.

In 1942 at the age of 16, Phyllis and three of her friends worked for Coles catering at the munitions plant in Ajax.  In 1945, she started her nursing training at the Toronto East General Hospital and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948.  Phyllis worked at a hospital in Ajax and at the Toronto East General Hospital.   On April 14th, 1950 Patrick Nicholson and Phyllis Dora Smith were united in marriage.  After Phyllis was married she left her nursing career to stay at home and raise her three children Mike, Tim and Laurie.

Phyllis was mutli-talented, and would take on any task.  She loved refinishing antique furniture, planting flower gardens with beautiful beds of begonias, partridge hunting, playing bridge, and bowling.  Phyllis loved to read and was very interested in history.  She loved animals, especially cats.  Her hands were also a gift.  She learned to knit as a young girl and during the summer she would unwind a previous sweater and make a new one for school.  She knit beautiful sweaters for many people.  Phyllis sewed most of her daughter’s school clothes and also hand smocked dresses for her.  She made beautiful drapes, handmade quilts and needle point pieces.

When Phyllis moved to Premier Road in 1979 it was her dream come true to have built a home on the family lot that her Dad had purchased in 1926 and where she had spent her summers.  She was affectionately known on Premier Road as the “Lady of the Lake”.  She had a passion for every aspect of lake-living especially swimming in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling.  She and her sister Fran went on a trip to England where they spent time sightseeing and exploring.  Phyllis was invited to vacation with her friend Scotty and Scotty’s daughter Susan in 1983.  They went to Disneyland and screamed and yelled on every ride.  They roamed the beach on Treasure Island, collected shells and swam in the Gulf.  For several years to follow, Phyllis and Pat joined Scotty, Susan and a group of friends on Treasure Island and enjoyed wonderful vacations.

The smallest things in life pleased Phyllis.  Her laugh was infectious and she was full of life.  She lived her life with a sense of humour.  She was a good sport, and intelligent lady and she learned how to manage life’s challenges.  She was loyal to her friends.  She, Scotty and Hilda were lifelong friends for 76 years.  Phyllis was generous and giving of herself and her time.  She had a very special spirit and we will forever cherish many fond memories of her and her love of life’s simple pleasures.

Perron, Philip & Bernadette #130 *

Honoured by Paul Emile Perron.

Philip Perron was born on May 2nd, 1927, one of sixteen children to Azarias and Clara (nee Guillemette). Philip attended primary school in Astorville, now known as École St-Thomas D’Aquin.  After graduating, Philip became a carpenter by trade, working mostly in the North Bay area and later at the North Bay Airport.

Philip married Bernadette Groulx on May 24, 1948.  They had four boys and two girls.  Shortly after they wed he started his own contracting business.  Later in 1955, he built a shop on the same premises as the family homestead and started manufacturing windows. Gradually he added plywood and lumber for the retail trade.

In the early 1960’s he bought a 22-acre property on the corner of what is now known as Nosbonsing Lake Road and Astorville Road. He then bought a sawmill, moved it, and rebuilt the mill on his newly acquired property. He milled his own lumber to sell at the homestead shop.  In 1966 he built a new store where the mill site was.  He moved into the new location in 1967.  There he added a full line of building and hardware supplies for the retail trade.

Throughout the years the store expanded several times to add more lines, such as paint, plumbing, heating, carpet and linoleum until it became a one-stop shop.  At one time or another all of his children worked in some capacity at the store and construction side of the business.  In the mid 1970’s he ceased the construction side of the business, as the store was getting busier by the year.  In the late 1970’s Philip went into the gravel business.  He had a loader, dozer and dump truck.  Hauling fill and gravel, he also installed septic beds.  This became more of a hobby for him.

In 1983, he sold the business to his son, Paul-Emile Perron, who had been working at the store since 1967.  Paul-Emile’s wife, Liliane joined him to help run the office.  In the early 1990’s after graduating college, their daughter Brigitte and son Ronald joined the family business.  Shortly after, Brigitte’s husband Chris Ranger also took interest and joined them.  This was one of Philip’s dreams, to have the company grow and stay in the family.  Now, we are looking at a fourth generation to help run the family business.

After Philip fully retired he built very fine and exquisite furniture for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Philip Perron was quite the entrepreneur and very successful at all of his business ventures.  The whole family is very proud of him and his accomplishments.  That is why we are honouring him with a leaf of inspiration at the pergola of Community Waterfront Friends.

Tayler, Edward (Pop) #1014 *

Honoured by Fred Tayler

Edward Tayler was born on April 04, 1876 in Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England.

He married Katrine Waterworth on May 1, 1901.  She was born on a ship in French Territorial waters in 1876.  The couple lived in England until 1906 during which time three children were born: Katrine Dorothy Margaret in 1901, Irene Maude in 1904 and Charles Edward (Ted) in 1906.  He was a male
nurse doing homecare and Katrine was a nurse in a psychiatric hospital.

In September 1906 the family emigrated to Canada with a view to try farming in Western Canada.  The encroaching winter put a damper on that idea so they settled in Arnprior for a few months prior to locating in the east end of North Bay.  Five more children were bon in North Bay; Cecil Albert in 1909, Isabel Gertrude in 1911, Kenneth Frank in 1913, Leslie Floyd in 1915 and Ronald Alfred in 1922.

Arriving with the family was Pop’s father, Thomas John Tayler who was born in England in 1843.  Thomas John Tayler was no stranger to Canada as he served with the British Military posted to Canada during the Fenian raids (1866-1870).  He met and married Jane Shannon in Ottawa in 1868 before returning to England.  He died in 1927 in North Bay, Ontario at the age of 84.

“Pop” Tayler found employment as a boilermaker in the CPR Shops until a workplace accident injured
his back and he was forced to retire.  He decided to open a grocery and confectionary shop in early 1920’s on the corner of Fisher Street and Fifth Avenue that was named “Tayler’s Booth”. The shop
quickly became the gathering place for the young crowd living east of the ONR/TNO railway tracks.

During the 1930’s Pop was one of the driving forces behind the establishment and maintenance of the
Fisher Street Playground that eventually boasted a softball field and playground in the summer and a rink in the winter for hockey, broomball and skating.  There was also children’s playground equipment and a play area.  At that time there was no Parks and Recreation department in the City so the park was truly
an east end community effort.  The store and the park became the social centre of the neighbourhood and the young men became known as the “Fisher Street Gang”.   There was no hoodlum connotation to the term “gang” at that time.  The ambition of all young boys was to be allowed to stay up all night to water the rink for ice.

Pop Tayler became a familiar figure walking to and from the store using his cane and always accompanied by his German Shepherd dog, first Nero and then later, Crony.  The dogs always slept on the floor of the store and provided constant protection.   The store performed double duty as a change house for skates prior to construction of the ‘rink shack’.

In 1929, Pop constructed the “Tayler Block” on the corner of Fisher and Princess Streets.  The Block was the home of Tayler’s Meats and Grocery for many decades with living quarters above.  The business operated by his eldest son Ted provided credit and delivery services.  During the Depression Years, Pop maintained the Booth, serving ice cream, soft drinks and candy as well as tobacco products.

When World War II broke out, the Fisher Street Gang marched as a unit to the CPR Station to enlist in
the Algonquin Regiment.  They wanted to get in quickly before conscription.  A picture was taken at that time of twenty-eight family members volunteering although the exact number of the gang who enlisted was closer to fifty.  During the war, Pop corresponded and sent parcels to numerous members of the gang.   The wall of the Booth became a clearing house of information of their exploits. Of course, prime interest to Pop was three of his own boys: Cecil, Kenneth and then Ronald who was underage.

The City byProclamation named the park “Tayler Park” in the 1940’s but by the early 1970’s the park was no longer used for recreational purposes.  In 2010 the City commissioned a plaque honouring the Fisher Street Gang – it reads “Thanks to the Fisher Street Boys who in the 1930’s developed this small park for all to enjoy”.  Today it is still a park, a resting place along the Kate Pace Way.

Pop Tayler passed away in 1957 at the age of 81.  His beloved Katy died in 1964 at the age of 88.