Saturday, September 26, 2015

Children's ward at Lady Minto Hospital dedicated in memory of Dr. J.J. Sheahan 'beloved physician of the entire community' in 1963 ceremony

A newly renovated wing at the Lady Minto Hospital was dedicated to the memory of Dr. J.J. Sheahan "beloved physician of the entire community" in a ceremony on August 7, 1963. Dr. Sheahan had practised medicine in Chapleau from 1907 until his death in 1942.

In his comments, C.B. Greenlaw, chair of the hospital's management board spoke of the "vital role" Dr. Sheahan had played in the history of the hospital. In fact, Dr. Sheahan was the first president of the hospital board when it opened in 1914, and was "house physician and surgeon".

In dedicating the plaque, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church said that in honouring Dr. Sheahan, it paid "eloquent testimony to the affection and respect for Dr. Sheahan from a professional and personal standpoint." Rev. Father Gustave Lampron, of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, gave similar comments in French.

The newly renovated wing housed the children's ward.
Lady Minto Hospital 1914

Mrs. Lionel Nolan, long associated with the Sheahan family spoke of his influence in the community and the warm place he held in the hearts of his patients, young and old.

"His ready smile won the hearts of the young patients who considered him their ideal and hero. To adults, he was not only physician but counsellor, father confessor and friend. He was always available in time in need," Mrs. Nolan said, according to a story in the Sudbury Star.

E.P. Everett, superintendent of the CPR Schreiber Division commented: "Everything said here today would not bring out all the qualities this man possessed. He was a great man in every respect. He practised through this northern country when times were very difficult, when dog teams and horses and sleighs provided the transportation. However, when duty called, he was there."
Dr Sheahan and Queen Ina Robinson. Others unknown

Tours were conducted by Mrs. Frances Burrows, Mrs. William Grinton, Mrs. Ross Pellow, Mrs. Richard Avison and Mrs. J.R. Keddie.

Writing in Snapshots of Chapleau's Past, George Evans noted "In 1916, the good people of Chapleau showed their apppreciation Of Dr. Sheahan's service to the community by presenting him with a brand new Ford... It was the first automobile in Chapleau and Dr. Sheahan is reported to have quipped that 'instead of babies coming in a little black bag, they will now come in a little black car'".
LMH under construction top right



Commenting after Dr. Sheahan's death on October 26, 1942, the Chapleau Post said that residents of Chapleau and area had "lost one of its most loved and public spirited citizens".

"Commanding the respect and trust of his fellow citizens from the first, he put his profession above all else. Never known to rest while work was pressing he took few holidays."

However, he was also involved in the community as member of the high school board, honorary president of the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society and supporter of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church as well as being the Knights of Columbus. In 1940 he was King of the Chapleau Winter Carnival. 

As a mark of the high esteem in which Dr. Sheahan was held, on the day of his funeral service, conducted by Rev. Father Romeo Gascon at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, schools and stores were closed in Chapleau. The Chapleau Post reported that "everyone the young and the old attended the funeral which was one of the largest Chapleau has ever known."

The plaque is now displayed at the Chapleau General Hospital. My thanks to the folks at the Chapleau General Hospital Foundation who kindly provided me with a photo of it. My email is mj.morris@live.ca



Thursday, September 24, 2015

Chapleau park renamed the Louis Dube Peace Park

The peace park in Chapleau has been renamed to honour Louis Dubé who has volunteered countless hours over the years in looking after it.

 Largely because of Mr. Dube's efforts, it is a beautiful place to spend time both for citizens and visitors alike.

The Chapleau Economic Developmnet Corporation announced that:"Today Peace Park was renamed the Louis Dubé Peace Park. 

"Merci M. Dubé pour les années de service que vous avez accordées. Vous continuez à constituer pour nous tous un exemple."


Here is a link to a recent photo feature by Adelaida Duffney on the park http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.ca/2015/09/adelaida-duffney-captures-beauty-of.html 

Monday, September 21, 2015

Dakotah Woods of Chapleau signs with Quebec Remparts of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Dakotah Woods
Dakotah Woods, who started playing hockey in the Chapleau Minor Hockey Association has signed to play in the 2015-2016 season with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League.
Dakotah is the son of Isabelle (Saunders) and Gordon Woods, of Chapleau, now living in North Bay. He is also a member of Brunswick House First Nation.
Randy Russon of Hockey News North reported that Dakotah, a 1998 birth-date defenceman who played with the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League as a 16-year old in 2014-2015, has signed with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Woods, who hails from Chapleau, Ont., played in 58 of Elliot Lake’s 63 games in 2014-2015 and took a regular shift on a Wildcats team that advanced to the second round of the NOJHL playoffs. Mr Russon wrote.
Dakotah makes the move from the NOJHL and Elliot Lake to Quebec and the QMJHL after having a strong camp with the Memorial Cup champion Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. He signs with Quebec as an undrafted free agent.
Elliot Lake general manager Todd Stencill praised the work ethic of Dakotah in an interview with Mr Russon,
“You’re not going to find many players that will put as much time and effort into their off-season training than this young man did,” Stencill told HockeyNewsNorth.com.
Gordie and Dakotah

Rev Phelan Scanlon appointed priest-in-charge of St John's Anglican Church in Chapleau

Rev Phelan Scanlon
UPDATE: Rev. Phlelan Scanlon is no longer at St John's. He left in February 2016

Archbishop Colin Johnson has announced that The Rev. Phelan Scanlon will become Priest-in-Charge of the parishes of Chapleau & Foleyet in October.

The announcement was made on the St. John's Church Facebook page by Bishop Tom Corston.

Fr. Scanlon's first Sunday at Chapleau will be October 25th at 10:30 am...Fr. Scanlon is a seasoned priest having served 24 years in the Diocese of Toronto before coming to our Diocese of Moosonee in 2011. 

It is  is a preliminary 18-month appointment during which he and the congregation will work together to discern if there is any possibility for growth in the Chapleau Anglican community. 

Come out on October 25th to welcome him.