Category: F

Filiatrault, Jacques & Jeannine #113 *

Jacques and Jeannine Filiatrault

Jacques Filiatrault was born in Verner, ON to a farming family. He was one of twelve children. His family eventually moved to North Bay.

Jeannine Filiatrault was born in North Bay, ON and grew up in a family of seven children.

They met in North Bay, married and had six children who all live in the North Bay and surrounding area.

Jacques was a very hard worker who at times held three jobs to support his family while Jeannine was a full time mother and volunteer.

In 1978 Jacques and Jeannine took over the operations of the Shell Service Station, which was then referred to as Jack’s Shell. It was located at the corner of Worthington St. and Fraser St. which is presently Twiggs Coffee Company.

Jacques worked tirelessly, twelve hours a day, six days a week to ensure that his family’s and his customers’ needs were met until he retired in 1991.

Jeannine worked behind the scenes doing the bookkeeping for the business while still having 3 children at home and continuing to volunteer.

Through the years they were volunteers in their community: PTA for Ecole St. Anne, their church, Paroisse Saints Anges, Dames de St. Anne, Chevalier De Colomb, Filles D’Isabelle and the Golden Age Club.

To this day they remain an inspiration to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They continue to encourage and support their family to give back to their communities. They continue to take part in many volunteer efforts, some of which, in recent years, are done as a family unit.

We, their family, love them and honour them with this leaf.

Farlinger, Dr. Fraser Alexander #1988 *

Honoured by Alice Farlinger.

Born to Dr. Anderson Carlyle and Sarah Jane (McCorquodale) Farlinger in New Liskeard, Ontario in 1923, Fraser attended the local public and high schools.
A very focused young man; he attended McGill University in Montreal and graduated in 1947 receiving his B.Sc. and M.D. C.M. He was a member of the Scarlet Key, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society and a life member of the Canadian and Ontario Medical Associations.

He was a very athletic young man who played as a running-back and became captain of the McGill football team. He also played hockey in the junior and senior divisions, winning six varsity letters.

Fraser returned to New Liskeard in 1948 to practice medicine alongside of his father “Dr. A.C.”. General Practice in these early days was very demanding and many nights were passed with very little sleep. Days were long and filled with performing operations in the OR, visiting in-patients, office visits, then back to hospital for pre-op examinations for the next day’s O.R. In between these tasks were the deliveries of babies. When Fraser left New Liskeard in 1975 he had delivered just under 3,300 babies, many of which were home deliveries out in the country. He often said that he was “worn out from labour”.

However busy he was, time was found to play the violin and to take lessons to improve his skills in this field, as well as being a piper and founding member of Branch #33 Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band in New Liskeard, Ontario. He had a love of gardening and enjoyed entering his produce, especially gladioli in the Fall Fair, experiencing much success. Oil, acrylic, and watercolour painting were also an enjoyable diversion from work. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fall hunting trips with his long-time friends. His canvas canoe was never far away, and he entered and finished many races. Sailing in the Wayfarer Races, usually with his daughter Barbara, was another summer highlight.

Upon arriving in North Bay, 1975, Fraser worked as an Anaesthesiologist at the North Bay Civic and St. Joseph’s Hospitals as well as locums for other physicians. Soon after his arrival he joined with a group of musicians who were the founding members of the North Bay Symphony and played in the first violin section for many years. He was a member of the Calvin Presbyterian choir for 26 years.

After retiring he continued his love of music by playing in the North Port and the Venice, Florida Symphonies, during the winter months; singing with St. Paul’s church choir, North Port; also enjoying being part of a woodcarving group. He showed several of his carvings in the Tampa State Fair and won awards for these.
Fraser was a man of many talents and skills and was respected and loved y his family and those who had the good fortune to work alongside of him. He was always of good humour and made everyone he came into contact with feel important and worthwhile. He loved to impart the knowledge he had acquired to others.

When asked how he was, his answer was always: “Perfect”. And so, we honour his life of service to others and his good sense of humour.

Frezell, Larry & Nadine #1275 *

Honoured by:John and Geraldine Coyne and family
and Terry and Sheila Frezell and family

Mom and Dad are long time North Bay residents. They were each born in 1920. As of this writing in August 2011 they are both still alive, in relatively good health and are enjoying life at the Empire Living Centre.

Mom was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario where as a young lady she was a civilian employed by the army during World War II. Dad, although born in Buffalo to Canadian parents, moved home with them to North Bay when he was a baby, and lived on Gorman Street throughout his youth and the greater part of married life.

Mom and Dad met in Kingston, Ontario when Dad, as an enlisted man in the Canadian army was assigned to duty there. They married in 1945 and returned to North Bay at the conclusion of the war. For a short while they had an apartment downtown North Bay but early on purchased a home back on Gorman Street at # 1275 on the waterfront, remaining there until many years after retirement. Thus their love of the natural beauty of Northern Ontario, Lake Nipissing, and of the North Bay waterfront.

Dad joined the Ontario Northland Railway and worked in the administration area in numerous positions until after 39 years he retired in 1975 as Budget Supervisor. Mom was an active homemaker and wonderful mother to her son Terry – born April 1947 – and daughter Geraldine (Gerry) born July 1956.

Mom and Dad have always been active in community and church activities. Dad has served as a North Bay Alderman, and both he and Mom were active in the scouting and guiding areas at St. John’s Anglican Church. Dad has also served as treasurer for the North Bay branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. They are both founding members of Christ Church Anglican. They remain as active members of the Royal Canadian Legion where Dad has been honoured with a Life Membership.

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

Fielder, Ted #122 *

Honoured by Sheila Carr.

Theodore Miles Fielder

What our dad has inspired in us: (from the daughters of Ted M. Fielder)
Dare to imagine, dream, turn ideas into opportunities, set goals and take action. Be courageous, confident, and calm at least always try to keep your head about you or appear that way! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; learn from them. Keep a stiff upper lip. Remember, reflect, and never forget. Always forgive. Live life to its fullest; don’t look back with regret. Look forward with anticipation.
Laurie, Sherry, Leslie, Caralee

My Husband, Ted Fielder
We met in the early 50’s as young married couples. The Ted Fielders (four girls and mom Bette) visited North Bay for a week at Turtle Lake (in J.L. Shaw’s log camp) with the Carr family. The outing involved fishing, swimming, canoeing, sailing and roughing it – ie no electricity and a walk to the outhouse.

We both lost our spouses in the early 1990’s and found romance for the second time after 65. How could I be so lucky to find an old friend who loves to travel, is patient and understanding of my Aries traits (determined, independent and stubborn)? He inspires me. He is generous, loving, thoughtful and patient.
He has become my in-house secretary as a result of his computer skills – how lucky am I? He is a loving father to four wonderful daughters – all great Mothers to his eight grandchildren.

He makes me laugh, never holds a grudge and only gets angry at himself. He is everything a second husband should be – trusting, understanding, romantic with a sense of humour.

I love you so!
Sheila.

PS – I still think Bette trained you well.

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.