Stories

Johnson, Marie #1 *

Honoured by Hariett Madigan

My mom was born January 27, 1916, to Cora Le Clerc, a dedicated home-maker, and to Peter Messier, who worked in the logging camps and also as a trapper, in a hamlet in Northern Ontario.

Marie was one of 14 children.  As was sometimes required in her day, Marie stayed home to help her mother care for the children.  As a result, her formal education was cut short when she left school at age 7 to care for her younger siblings.  For much of her youth she worked as a maid, housekeeper, cook, and waitress in Northern Ontario.  During those years, she taught herself to read and write. What’s more, she developed  a financial acumen and will to survive that her children came to recognize, appreciate, respect, and emulate.

She married William Johnson in 1937, and had her first daughter, Bonnie, in 1938.  In 1939, her husband enlisted with the Canadian Engineers and joined the WWII effort .  Marie spent six years as a single parent during this difficult time, working full time in the mines driving the slag trams for INCO. Bill and Marie began their life together, once more, in 1946.  Marie gave birth to twins, Herb and Hariett, in 1947.  Life in the 50’s was challenging and led to the family moving frequently, often due to Bill searching for work.   It wasn’t easy, but wherever we went, Marie made sure that our family had a home, food, and a garden.   Marie loved horticulture.  She just loved to grow things!  As a child I recall listening to her as she would talk to her houseplants into growing – she treated them as if they were family!  She also knew the value of composting and practiced it long before it was popular.

Bill used to say that Marie could make “something from nothing,” and it honestly seemed that way.  For instance, Mom could make delicious meals to feed her family with very few ingredients, and over the years she won many blue ribbons from the North Bay Horticultural Society for her gardening magic.  She could make a garden in very poor soil, as she did wherever she lived. She even managed to create her own little garden in a space no one imagined there could be one, tucked away at the back of the ONR apartments on Oak Street.

My mom made a difference in my life and touched many people with her sense of humor, her ability to survive and persevere through difficult times, and her compassion for others, which she displayed through every day kindnesses. She loved to walk at the waterfront and certainly loved the gardens. She even became a Heritage Gardener at one point.  Marie would be so pleased to be remembered as a contributor to building our community one leaf at a time, to beautifying our future Waterfront Park on reclaimed rail lands, to being a part of something that began from nothing.

Marie now resides at Leisureworld.  She has dementia and is 96 years old.  She has forgotten most everyone but she will be remembered forever on the Leaves of Inspiration Pergola.  Thank you Mom.

Wallace, George & Sybil #42 *

Honoured by Blake and Rita, Jack and Gwen, Don and Diane.

This is the story of George and Sybil Wallace, offspring of two North Bay pioneer families. It is also the story of 2 families hit hard by the Depression, War, and the loss of their parents at a very young age.

Born in North Bay on Nov. 2nd, 1912, George was the son of “Black Jack” and Lovie Wallace. The Wallaces were a founding family and ran the brickyard for several generations.  Sybil Carr was born on Feb 23rd, 1914 in Truro, Nova Scotia. Her father was a Superintendent with the CPR who came here when the railway was being built.

George lost his parents when he was in university. George had five siblings including; Ken, Drs. Harold and Gerald, Bae and Audrey. Sybil lost her father while still in school. She had three siblings; Fred, Isobel Hambley, and Bob. Together, Sybil and George have three children, Blake, Jack and Don, nine grandchildren, and now one great grandchild.

In spite of losing his parents, George pursued his education. With a law degree in hand, George returned to North Bay and started practicing in 1936. He boarded on Main Street and ate at the Chicago Restaurant for $5 a week. He helped many local Chinese people bring their families over here.

In High School Sybil pitched for the Rinky Dinks, a local girl’s baseball team that won the Provincial Championship.  She attended the North Bay Normal School and got her teaching degree.  She taught in several remote areas including Callander, and Loring. She ended her teaching career in Sudbury.

George and Sybil were married on Valentine’s Day, 1942. George enlisted, and left Sybil and sons, Blake, and Jack while he went off to war to serve as a Captain in England with the PEI Highlanders in Patton’s “shadow army”. He was also posted briefly as a lawyer to the Nuremberg War Trials.

Throughout the years, George established a well-respected law firm. Many local lawyers learned their craft from him.  He was appointed a QC in 1951 and a Family Court Judge in 1956. He was awarded the first Law Society medal for excellence in the profession in 1985.  He was one of the founders of Legal Aid in Ontario.  He served 9 years as a Bencher of the LSUC. He founded Mangouch Lodge, a group home for children; the first in Ontario. He was very involved in the Museum Society. He was the driving force behind the building of the new Court House. He was on the building committee for the YMCA.

In his practice, George was a pre-eminent counsel in Ontario, and appeared in the courts up the Supreme Court of Canada. A number of his cases changed the law in Canada; including a change in the wording on our paper money, and allowing the first adoption of a catholic child by a non-catholic family in Ontario. He also was counsel when our local mayor was removed from office. He was involved in developing Pinewood Park, Marshall Park, and Nosbonsing Park.  He handled many murder trials, and high profile civil actions.

Sybil in the meantime was raising the children, and becoming very involved in golf, curling, and politics. The Esperanza Club was a particular favorite, and she and her friends organized many charitable social events. She competed across the north in curling and golf. She was involved in the building of the Curling Club, and won the battle to have women as members. She was a great hostess and they entertained in their home such prominent people as; PM John Diefenbaker, Premier John Robarts, and Gov-Gen.  Roland Michener

George practiced law for 55 years and ended his career in partnership with 2 sons and his brother-in-law, Bob.  The firm he founded continues to flourish.  He was 80 years old and still practicing law and playing tennis when he died in 1992.

Sybil continued to be involved with her grandchildren and to live on her own.  She loved to travel to Toronto, and to entertain the family at the annual Christmas party at her condo until her death in 2006 the age of 92.

This is also a love story with a rich history. George and Sybil left their mark on the City of North Bay, and their legacy has been their children and grandchildren; many of whom continue to live in here and contribute to their community.

Farrow, Birdie #1887 *

Honoured by Nancy Avery and Tim Farrow

My grandmother, Alberta “Birdie” Farrow was present at my birth in 1941.  I was born at home and she assisted my mother.  At the time we lived in Sudbury where my father worked for INCO.  Gramma Farrow was born around 1887 and lived in Mitchell, Ontario.  She married Alvin George Farrow and they lived a privileged life in Toronto until my grandfather died at the age of 42.His death was a huge unexpected blow.  Grandmother would soon find out that their money was all gone and she was on her own with three of her six children still at home.  In order of birth, her children were: Russell, Lois, Jean, my father Hugh, David and Leah.

Birdie decided that she needed to make a new life for herself and her dependent children.  She asked one of her husband’s brothers for a loan.  She came to the Township of West Ferris and purchased the Torbay Lodge and Cabins on Lakeshore Drive and Banner Avenue in 1936.

In checking at the Land Registry Office I discovered that Gramma Farrow purchased Torbay from Mrs. Jeannie Fraser Ferguson, wife of John Ferguson, the acknowledged founder of North Bay.  The property contained a large, log structure named the Highway Lodge and eight cabins on the roadway and two large cottages on Lake Nipissing.

I believe that she made the choice to come to North Bay because the Dionne Quints had just been born and the town was about to be put on the world stage. Every tourist establishment in the area was full during the summer months and at times we took American families into our homes.  Everyone initially came to see the Quints and then people came for the fishing and natural beauty of our lakes.  Many bought vacation properties on Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake and the French River.

In 1946 the Lodge burned down and the decision was made to rebuild.  That was when my family moved back to North Bay.  In the 1950’s the Farrow family opened a second restaurant, the Torbay Chicken Bar in North Bay at the corner of Algonquin and McIntyre Street.

I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to take on the huge tourist camp that Torbay was at that time.  During those years Gramma Farrow was kept very busy – preparing the chicken for two restaurants and managing the housekeeping and laundry for all the cabins.  There was a building with a communal washroom on one side and laundry room on the other where she could be found every day washing, hanging out, and mangling (ironing) the linens from the cabins.  To this day when I smell Ivory Soap I am right back in that laundry room.  I followed her around like a baby chick filled with awe and love for the 12 years that she was in my life. One of my fondest memories was of her taking me down the road to White Owl for a piece of pie.  She would sit and visit with Mr. & Mrs. Watt while I gobbled up the pie. She died when I was 18.

Gramma Farrow inspired me in ways I cannot count. She would listen to my complaints and requests and always have words of wisdom for me.  She was a strong, hard-working, family-loving and independent woman who was respected by those people with whom she came into contact, both the tourists and her neighbours.

Fortin, Roland (Ron) #32 *

The Pergola Project is an excellent opportunity to honour our husband and father Ron.  He receives such pleasure being at the waterfront surrounded by beautiful Lake Nipissing.  When he is not fishing, golfing, or pooling, and of course completing his necessary chores at home, he is at the waterfront.  He routinely walks the paths and takes in boating activities, but mostly sits and talks with friends.  If it is raining, he will sit in the car listening to Sirius while enjoying the beauty and the constant improvements along the waterfront.  It became a joke among his friends that if you are looking for Ron, you are most likely to find him at the waterfront.

Roland (Ron ) Fortin was born in Haileybury, Ontario in 1939.  He was the youngest child of Emelia and Rene Fortin.  The need to find work brought the family to North Bay in 1955.  Ron worked for the Ministry of Transportation, Ontario.  In 1968 he married Margaret Anne Craik.  They have two daughters Nicole and Claire and two grandchildren Matthew and Meagan.  Ron retired in 1993.

The way Ron lives his life is always an inspiration to us.  He quietly goes about putting his family first.  His religion is important to him and he is quick to help others if they ask.  He is good, kind and generous to family and friends.

He has love, and it is with pleasure that his name will be registered on the Pergola wall in a place he loves so much.

Submitted by his wife Margaret and daughters Nicole and Claire.

Johnston, Dr. Rod #2500 *

Rod Johnston

Honoured by Donna Valiquette, Laura White, Kim Quirt, Jasmine Marietti, Brittany Karn, Kelly Price, Paul Gauthier, Allison Zadorozny Quinn

If Rod Johnston were an ion… he would be positive; if he were a magnet… he would be positive; if he were an integer… he would be positive. Rod is the most positive person we know. It is this spirit that makes Rod a memorable and inspirational force in our lives. He is a wonderful dentist and an outstanding public speaker. A driving force with the Community Waterfront Friends, Rod is humble about his participation in the waterfront development.  He is generous with his time, energy and money for this vision that he believes will benefit those of us who are here today but also many generations that are yet to come.  That is why we have selected him to be honoured with a pergola leaf at North Bay’s Civic Plaza.

Shortly after we met Rod, he received the Kiwanis Citizen of the Year award. During his acceptance speech he told a story about being in Honduras on a dental mission and how he remembered this little girl coming in. Her brother had carried her for miles and miles, with no shoes on, because his sister needed her teeth fixed. This was difficult for Rod to speak of. This is the side of Rod that few people get to see on a regular basis. Rod is a caring man with a devotion to helping others.  He is generous to those he cares about, and to strangers as well. He asks nothing in return and takes real pleasure in the joy he creates with his gifts.  We believe that his generosity is contagious and that each of us pays it forward after witnessing his giving spirit.

He has a way of helping others develop “visions” that express the best possible outcome for any given situation or person.  He sincerely believes that if you set your sights or goals first and then work on developing a plan to achieve them, nothing is impossible, and things will fall into place when you least expect it.  It is this unfailing optimism that makes Rod so unique.  Rod is so positive that a plan will come together, one can’t help but believe it is going to happen.  This is something Rod shares with all of his acquaintances, whether it is the Community Waterfront Friends, a student observing our dental office, an employee, or a patient in the office.   He takes great joy in watching others complete this cycle and achieve their dreams and never fails to share a great success story.  This is another way that he inspires us to be positive people.

On any given work day we can always count on Rod to be cheerful, sincere, and fully engaged in the enjoyment of the day.  Even when circumstances are not perfect, he always manages to look on the bright side and smiles his way through the challenges that present themselves. After working with him for many years, it is evident that this attitude extends beyond the workplace. He carries it forward in all aspects of his life.  In doing so, he inspires all of us to put our best foot forward and keep our chin up at all times!

Rod Johnston deserves to be recognized as a man who has set the bar to new heights when it comes to selflessness, sincerity and being a stepping stone to dreams that have yet to come true.  His devotion to the success of our downtown community coupled with his devotion to the happiness of those around him makes him our first choice for this pergola leaf.  Thank you Rod for sharing the gift of yourself with all of us!

Rod’s Team

Craigie, Bill & Cam #68 *

Honoured by Margaret Craigie

Cam Craigie
1952-2010

My son Cam was a well known and respected Secondary School and College teacher on Manitoulin Island, Sudbury area, and Exeter where he was employed by the Avon Maitland District School Board. He was a wonderful teacher with a great sense of humour. He loved to make people laugh!
Honouring Cam and Bill is very important to me. They made a difference in many lives, especially mine.

Bill Craigie
1942-2006

I’m very proud of my eldest son, Bill. He excelled academically and was instrumental in bringing the touch-tone phone to North Bay. As an employee of Northern Electric, he followed the progression of the touch-tone phones and his work resulted in the company sending him to Queen’s University to obtain a master’s degree in electronic engineering. Bill loved his career and enjoyed his work.

He was a very quiet man. He often said, “The smartest thing I’ve done in life is to have a family.” He was happy to share anything he had. He was a good man, loved and was loved.

Margaret Craigie

North Bay & District Canadian Club #1908 *

In 1893, at a meeting in Hamilton, the seeds were sown for the establishment of a movement to be called The Canadian Club. Its objective would be the study of the history, literature and resources of Canada, the recognition of native worth and talent and the fostering of a patriotic Canadian sentiment.

In 1907 an organizational meeting was held at the Town Hall in North Bay to plan for a Women’s Canadian Club. The inaugural meeting was in October 1908. Starting in 1909 meetings were held in the newly built Normal School.

A men’s club was also established but records regarding its activities do not exist. However in 1932 there was a motion that men and out-of-town visitors be admitted to any meeting of the Women’s Canadian Club for a fee of 50cents. In 1972 men’s names first appeared on the membership lists. At a later date the name was changed to The North Bay and District Canadian Club. In 1992 the club had its 1st male president.

During the formative years the programs were comprised of local speakers on timely topics. The first out of town speaker was in 1913.

In 1924 L.M.Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, spoke to the members. The club arranged for her to speak at the secondary schools. Nelly McClung, noted author, politician, feminist and activist was a speaker in 1935.

1961 was the year that the club donated the cairn that can be found in Champlain Park. On the plaque was the following inscription “From this point the Canadian explorers and early fur traders caught their first glimpse of Lake Nipissing as they paddled westward on their journey from Montreal by way of the Ottawa, Mattawa and French Rivers to the Great Lakes”. Samuel de Champlain viewed this scene in 1615.

The club’s association with schools began in 1910 when seeds were distributed to the public school. The resulting flowers were displayed by the children and prizes were awarded. In more recent years essay contests have been sponsored. The winning students presented their efforts at club meetings.

In 2001 arrangements were made for our speakers, Tim and Deanna Treadway (Pioneer Quest Participants), to give a visual presentation of “Pioneering in Manitoba in 1875-1876” to all the students of the appropriate grade who had gathered in the public and separate schools. During recent years our club has taken a keen interest in the activities of the Historica Fairs which are for elementary students. In addition, each year two complimentary memberships are given to all secondary and post secondary schools for the use of interested students.

For many years our Canadian Club was invited to participate in Citizenship Courts. The club presented each New Canadian with a table sized Canadian flag and a complimentary year’s membership.

The tour Committee was formed in 1972. Over the years it has provided interesting and educational excursions to all parts of Canada and selected areas of the United States. In recent years there have also been overseas tours.

In 2008 the North Bay and District Canadian Club celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a gala dinner. To mark the occasion the club replaced and rededicated the missing plaque on the cairn in Champlain Park.

The North Bay and District Canadian Club continues to foster the aims and objectives of the original founders.

The club meets eight times a year, presenting a variety of informative speakers and interesting tours. All are welcome as members!