Category: C

Castonguay, Sister Jeanne #255 *

Honoured by her friends.

Sister Jeanne Castonguay (1924-2011)
Leaf Number 255

Sister Jeanne was the second eldest of eight children born to Aldege and Alberta Castonguay. When she was 15 years of age, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie and began an amazing life which spanned the next 73 years. Originally she was an elementary school teacher here in Ontario and in Guatemala. She spent 10-12 years there as a missionary.

Returning to Ontario she became an outstanding advocate of marginalized people. Because she was fluent in three languages- English, French and Spanish- she was often called upon to help immigrants, especially those from Latin America, to get settled, find work, and learn the customs and laws in a strange, new country. She also worked with the working poor and those on welfare, as well as the sick and shut-ins. She was a member of the Elizabeth Fry Society and worked with women prisoners.

She received many plaques and certificates of appreciation from:
-The Development and Peace Organization
-The Inner City Home of Sudbury
-The Multicultural Society of Sudbury
-Induction into the Human Rights Hall of Fame in North Bay in 2003

After major heart surgery, Sister Jeanne remained in North Bay. Because she needed regular exercise she joined the “Living Fit” program. This group not only promotes physical exercise, it encourages mental and spiritual growth as well. This suited Sister Jeanne! It was here she met some members of the Christian Education Committee of Emmanuel United Church. She was invited to join and was an active, enthusiastic participant for many years, organizing many workshops. Jeanne also participated in an Outreach program, the West Ferris Community Brunch. It is run by five different churches for those who are lonely or in need. She was a wonderful “mingler” and extended hospitality to both the volunteers and the brunch folk. She always took time to listen and to offer words of affirmation and encouragement. A real ecumenical spirit developed, bringing unity and understanding to the different faith groups.

At the same time, Jeanne started the Ascending Life programs in two parishes in the city. This program is primarily a prayer and Scripture study, designed especially for Seniors. So, although deteriorating health limited her activities somewhat, she nevertheless continued to be involved with her beloved people.

There are some things Jeanne will always be remembered for. Every car trip started with her special prayer requesting a safe journey. Her storytelling was remarkable—stories of a lifetime of teaching, travel, meeting memorable people, adventures and humour. She often mentioned her favourite song was Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Love Changes Everything” which she played before going to bed. She loved to travel on the city buses and was greeted by everyone. She walked whenever possible and knew the city streets and its people well. In her pocket she always carried a few coins for the needy, but most importantly she gave a listening ear to people from all walks of life. She loved young people and often turned up with a small gift to offer encouragement and support.

Sister Jeanne lived her life with passion, dignity and caring. We miss her so much. A truly great woman!

Written by:
-Sister Mary Sheridan, archivist, Sisters of St. Joseph
-Emmanuel Christian Education Committee: Elizabeth Rice, Mary McLaren-Soutar, Brenda Cooper, Bonnie Inch, Gloria Cabaluna

Other Contributors were:
Elspeth Atkinson; Judith & Bill Ingwerson; Ralph Johnston; Tricia Mills; Nancy Cutsey; Donald Bain; Cheryl Atkinson; Joyce Boettger; Richard Thorne; Theresa Kelly; and Shirley Tayler

Comrie, Doug #935 *

Honoured by Joan Comrie and family

Douglas Murray Comrie was born in Severn Bridge, Ontario, in 1926, the youngest of seven children, sister’s Ida, Mona, Gwen, Effie, Norma, and brother Gordon (Joe).
He grew up in this area and loved the lakes and forests, and the quiet beauty of the countryside. He spoke often of walking to Orillia to play hockey in the winters, and going in the summers for ice cream. As a teenager Doug worked in the boiler room of the RMS Seqwun on the Muskoka Lakes, (oldest operating steam driven vessel in North America).

Doug served in the Canadian Navy in WWII, in the engine room of a corvette, “the Glace Bay”, sailing the North Atlantic convoy route. After the war he joined the RCMP and served in rural Nova Scoatia, during which time he met his wife-to-be Joan. They were married in 1952 at Mahone Bay, N.S.

Doug’s career in the Royal Canadian Air Force (Military Police) began that year, with a posting to Halifax. A year later he began his wonderful family with the birth of Charlotte, followed by Laurie. After four years the family was transferred to Winnipeg, and four years later another transfer to Bagotville. The family expanded in Quebec with the births of Mike, then Jane, two more happy occasions.

Two more transfers, one to Mooseonee for two and a half years, and then North Bay. While in Moosonee Doug enjoyed fishing, the winter carnivals, and the fact that there was rail access only. He loved North Bay, although it was just barely far enough north for Doug. He worked at the Bomarc base, SAGE, and the main gate (three transfers) until his retirement in 1978.

Doug was always busy, a hard worker, and rarely took time off, unless it was to spend time with his family or his many friends. He enjoyed golf, boating, biking and cross-country skiing and hockey. He built a family cottage at LeGrou Lake, “lake access only”.

Throughout the years his other projects included part-time jobs at the Humane Society, Royal Canadian Legion, (Branch 599), St. Joseph’s hospital and the Sheriff’s office. He was always generous with his time and effort, and was willing to help anyone in need. He enjoyed his regular visits to the coffee shops where his friends and strangers alike enjoyed his friendly, easy-going company.

Doug, with a lot of help from his wife Joan, made sure the children knew right from wrong, and got them all started on the right track to succeed as happy and productive adults.

Colyer, Jim & Bev #1122

Honoured by Milton and Joan Colyer

Thank you for purchasing a leaf in honour of Jim and Bev and for supporting your Waterfront Park project. Story to follow.

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.

 

Corbeil, Rene (Eli) #75

#1 Welder/Fabricator

Thank you Rene (Eli) for the firsts:

My first home.

My first child.

My first car.

My first farm.

My first horse.

Challenging me.

Lessons learned.

Teaching me.

Thank you for being that strong, determined, hardworking, loving man you’ve always been
in my life.  Sometimes testing, sometimes stubborn but always strong and never giving up the fight.