Larry Crooks born in 1930 and Mary Crooks born in 1932 have been married for 57 years. Together they raised six children and one adopted child.
Larry was medically discharged from the army and went on to upgrade his education with courses at Saint Frances Xavier in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. After three years of summer school at the Maritime School of Social Work he worked as a social worker and then went to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs Canada.
The couple arrived in Prince George in 1969 for an intended short stay and they have been here ever since. Larry recalls, "I went to the unemployment insurance centre to check out the job situation. There were lots of men arriving in Prince George at that time and all looking for work just like me. I chose the job listing for EMCO. I applied and they told me to come back the next day. I didn't know it at the time but that was what they told all the applicants and apparently I was the only one who came back so I got the job." Larry worked for EMCO Plumbing and Heating Supplies and specialized in plumbing supplies until he retired in 1991 at the age of 61.
Mary now 81 years old, worked as a nurse at the Simon Fraser Lodge for nine years and then spent 19 years in home support services.
Larry now 82 years old, was nominated as Citizen of the Year in 2007. His volunteer work was extensive back then: He served as a counselor at the jail as well as volunteering for the Cancer Society, the Knights of Columbus and a six year stint as a board member and president of the Elder Citizens Recreation Association. Both Mary and Larry are active members of St. Mary's Parish.
Larry reflects back on the years when his health was much better than it is now and said, "We have always led a simple life and our family was always our main focus. I believe that family, church and community are the important things in life and Prince George is the best city in the world to live in. This 'Golden Age' has a lot of lead in it. I have battled cancer for the past 19 years and an old army injury now restricts my mobility. I am dependent on oxygen and either a wheelchair or my walker. Regardless, I am thankful for every day that the good Lord allows me."
Join in on the Cribbage Tournament being held at the Spruce Capital Senior Centre, 3701 Rainbow Drive on Sunday, June 9th at 11 am. Call 250-563-6450 for all the details.
June is Stroke Recovery Month in BC. The Prince George Stroke Recovery Branch is having an open house on Wednesday, June 19th from 10 to 11:30 am at 1692 10th Ave. You are invited to the open house to see what the Stroke Recovery group does and why they do it. There will be displays, refreshments and prizes. For more information about the open house or the Prince George Stroke Recovery Branch phone Julia at 250-563-3819.
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