I would like to take this opportunity to recap the names and a short memory of the subjects of my column for this past year. These are some of the people who helped make Prince George the great City that it is today.
Centurion Bea Dezell (105), was born in the same year that the Ford Model T was produced by the Ford Motor Company, husband, Garvin Dezell was a former Mayor of Prince George.
Centurion Jo Selkirk (102) veteran and author was named 1982 Citizen of the Year.
Helen (Styles) Moffat (96) former Prince George First Lady welcomes visitors to her residence at the Simon Fraser Lodge
Art Stauble (87), former City Councilor immigrated to Canada from Switzerland.
Rino (86) retired City employee and Councillor and Rosa Fornari (85) retired school board employee have lived in the same house for 47 years.
Hilliard Clare (84) Northern Hardware's 65 year employee grew up in the Cache and lived on CN rail property that was exclusive to CN Rail employees.
Walter Hanik, (73) retired school teacher and soccer enthusiast said, "I am proud to see that many of my students have done so well and have gone on to do great things and have great careers".
Agnes Leslie (92) was involved in starting up the Fort George Manor to pave the way so people would have a nice place to live. She says, "What a life cycle! Now, here I am living at Gateway. Someone has paved the way for seniors like me to have a nice place like this to live in. I am thankful every day".
Lou Veeken (81) arrived in Giscome in May of 1953 straight from Holland.
Lillian Brown (94) Red Hat lady and active member of the Scarlet O'Hatters.
Evelyn Porter (81) of Scottish and English descent still loves to volunteer on a regular basis.
Clarence Boudreau (82) the 2013 Senior Idol Contest winner was born and raised in Penny, a small sawmill town.
Allan Thorp (82) married Gladys Folden in 1954. He arrived in Woodpecker on the CNR in 1937.
Bob Campbell (86 deceased) and Mae Campbell (83) have a long history as members of the Old Time Fiddlers and the Elks.
Archie (87) and Kathy Smith celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Archie was only two months old when he arrived in Aleza Lake.
Jean Nelson (83) long time volunteer and dedicated member of the Brunswick Street senior centre is thankful to all the volunteers that help her get things done.
War brides Iris West (94) and Catherine (Kay) Bond (92) arrived in Canada at totally different times at Pier 51 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They boarded trains and headed out West to meet up with their respective husbands. They met one another in Prince George and have been close friends ever since; bonds were formed that could never be broken both between the husbands and wives and the two friends. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what.
Syl (78) and Linda Meise are both B.C. Senior Games volunteers and gold and silver medal winners many times over.
Rose Pho Dorish (86) of Russian descent previously owned and operated The House of Flowers.
Wilf Howlett (93) retired City employee and war veteran now resides at the Chateau.
Lloyd (86) and Barb Iwaskow (83) made a living in the trucking business.
Veteran Larry (83) and Mary Crooks (81) have been married for 57 years.
Elizabeth (Kienzle) Sinclair (95) married George Sinclair (deceased) and became known as the first married couple with both of them being born in Prince George.
Edna Ellenchuck (90) still loves the challenge of a good card game.
Veteran Bill Blackburn (87) canoed across Canada to Montreal in 1967 in celebration of Canada's 100th birthday. He was one of the 100 paddlers called Les Voyageurs, who represented eight provinces and two territories. They traveled 5,282 kilometers over a period of 104 days. He was the Chief Voyager of the BC Canoe Team that placed 2nd in the competition.
Swede Peterson, (79) spent 35 years volunteering with Search and Rescue. Amelia Zimmaro Peterson (82) of Italian decent is the last living child of Columbus Hotel builders and owners Louis and Teresina Zimmaro.
Donna Mae Legault (85) was one of the very first female pulp mill workers in Prince George.
Veteran Wilf Peckham (90) worked as a printer and pressman at the Citizen for over 40 years and curled in 68 consecutive Kelly Cup tournaments. Wilf married Mae (Lockyer) Peckham (87) and they will soon celebrate 68 years of marriage.
Orville Claffey (79) dedicated 72 years of his life to hockey. Wife Barb Claffey, accomplished pianist is a busy volunteer in the community and at her church.
Paul Steindl (85) immigrated to Canada in 1955 from Upper Bavaria, Germany and worked in his trade as a finished cabinet maker. His wife Nan (Clark) Steindl (83) of English decent worked as an industrial nurse. They have a lovely story of how they met one another many years ago.
Irene Rigler (90), a retired school teacher is currently working on her book of memoirs.
Caroline Burkhardt, Millie Christensen, Ann Sharp and Rose Gaal all turned 91 in the same calendar year. They have been friends for years and all four reside at Asher Place on Hopkins Road.
Jack McKinley (89) went from trucking and building ice bridges on Lake Williston to a well known and respected local pianist.
Betty MacAulay (96) a war bride who looks forward to her 100th birthday now resides as Alward Place.
Bob Miscovitch (75) aka "The Iron Man" retired after working for BC Tel for 27 years.
Ben (78) and Vi Leer (71) moved from Fort Nelson when serious health issues forced them to move closer to medical care and the promise of a Cancer Clinic here in Prince George. .
Mike St. Germain (91) retired BC Hydro foreman and Aileen Ward (Dalgleish) St. Germain (77) a retired BC Tel operator helped to create the history of the BC Old Time Fiddlers.
Ann, (71) the Sears fashion lady loves it when things match. She is semi retired so you will have to catch her at the Pine Centre Mall store on the weekend.
Dorothy Alderson (90) the puzzle queen volunteers full time at the Gateway Lodge Complex Care unit greeting and directing people.
Baseball enthusiast Willie McDermid (83) retired from McDermid and Lofting after 50 years of service.
If you know any of these people please take some time and give them a phone call or stop in for a visit.
Email me your seniors' information at: [email protected]
