Ernie Gilbert 'hard act to follow' served on council honoured as King of 1979 Chapleau Winter Carnival

Ernie with faithful dog Rusty

Ernest Lucien "Ernie" Gilbert, after retiring as an engineer on the Canadian Pacific Railway, decided to enter municipal politics in Chapleau, was elected in the 1972 election, and served several two-year terms, as a councillor.

Ernie, as he was known also served as Deputy Reeve, and in 1979, was honoured by being selected to be King of the Chapleau Winter Carnival, a Taste of the North.

I first met Ernie at an all candidates meeting in the Legion Hall for the 1972 election, and happened to follow him in the speaking order. 

After listening to his speech, my first comment was "That's a hard act to follow."  And he was in so many ways as I was to learn over the next few years. We were both elected, and  became good friends. 

No matter the time of day, Ernie was on the job as a councillor. and chair of Public Works, and I recall several cold winter nights when he would get me up to attend at a water main break, bringing coffee for the Town Gang who were on the job repairing it.

Nick Card, T Way-White, Dr Young, MJ, Ernie

Recently I have been in touch with his grandson Brad who retired in 2013 after 30 years service with the Ontario Provincial Police, and asked if he would assist with a column about his grandfather.  Brad agreed.

Brad related that his grandfather was "the 7th son of a 7th son which in the early 1900’s was believed to bless you with the gift of healing. On Sunday afternoons, people would come to the Gilbert home to have my grandfather (then a young boy) rub their ailing parts, such as swollen feet and legs. As an adult, he became well known in the community for having the power to cure warts. Children would come to him with their hands covered in warts.

"He would rub a penny on each wart and bury it in a location only he would know and before long the warts would disappear and so goes the legend.

Ernie and Marcel Bougeault in 75th anniversary water parade with passenger MJM

"I grew up experiencing many of his home remedies, such as hot mustard plasters and a combination of sliced potatoes covered in black pepper, held in place over your forehead with a folded handkerchief to cure a fever. Many nights, I endured the pepper potatoes sliding down into my eyes and burning like fire. I’m not sure if it cured the fever or just made you stop complaining about it."

King Ernie, Bonhomme, MJM

His grandfather was a  French Roman Catholic and at the age of 23 married Alice the love of his life. "They raised four girls during the depression years. These were very challenging times and he learned many trades to support his family, such as lumberjack, fisherman, guide, miner, trapper and wood whittler.

"After the depression he became an engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was well known on the railway line as the engineer that played 'Shave and a Haircut' on the steam whistle no matter what time of day or night he was passing through town."

He  "loved and respected the bush and he loved to go brook trout fishing. He took great pride and enjoyment in sharing with his grandchildren the adventures of getting up at the crack of dawn and heading out to catch some speckled trout in little streams that you would never believe held such amazing trout. As kids and even later as adults we suffered the wrath of black fly and mosquito season when fishing with Grandpa. We spent more time swatting flies than we did fishing but Grandpa always seemed unaffected by them and always came home with the most fish."

"He was very active on his trap line. As a young boy growing up, I spent many weekends spent on the trap line with Grandpa. Many valuable life lessons were learned during those outings. Grandpa always had a pocket full of hard candies and offered them up often. I learned to pass on the generous offer as they were usually covered in pocket lint with a mixture of beaver hair and twigs. In the winter months, we would travel by snowmobile. Grandpa was usually driving and I was been pulled on a toboggan behind. I learned early on to hold on for dear life because to fall off always meant a long walk to catch up because grandpa seldom looked back as he was looking ahead for animal tracks. His memory lives on in the Chapleau Museum where a beautiful black wolf was donated by him and is on display."

On one occasion when Ernie was out on his trap line with his faithful dog Rusty, during his years on council, he fell and broke his leg. Rusty helped him back to his vehicle and Ernie managed to drive himself back into town to the Lady Minto Hospital. I asked Brad about it and he recalled that Rusty went right into the hospital with him and did not want to leave. Finally Stan Tokarchuk, who worked at the hospital and was their next door neighbour brought the dog home.

By the time Brad, who was attending school arrived at the hospital, obviously concerned about his grandfather, Ernie was telling stories to the nurses. 

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On the night of the next council meeting, we did not expect Ernie to attend, and no sooner had everyone commented, than Ernie arrived. He had managed to get up the stairs to the council chambers in the old Town Hall, and never missed a meeting even though one leg was in a cast.

He was a founding member of the Chapleau Senior Citizens Club in 1973 serving as a vice president, as well as on the board of Cedar Grove Lodge. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Ontario Trappers Association.

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Back to Brad: "My grandfather had many skills and gifts but his legacy is the happy, loving memories that his family has of him. Only a few weeks ago, I was going through a photo album of my grandfather and reminiscing about our time together. I started to cry, not a trickling single tear but a full blown ugly cry. That’s who my grandfather was. A man who made such an impression on me that memories of him generated that response, 18 years after his death."

Thank you Brad. It was an honour and privilege for me to know your grandfather and have him has a friend. May he rest in peace,.

He passed away on January 27, 2000 in North Bay at the age of 93. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Ernie protects Lt Gov Pauline McGibbon and her husband Donald during sudden shower at opening of civic centre 1978

Ground breaking ceremony for Cedar Grove Lodge 1976. From left are MJM, Dr G.E. Young, George Evans, Rene Brunelle, Walter Wilson, Ernie Gilbert, Lauretta Viet, G. Ste. Germaine, Nick Card, Louise Mione, Min Blackburn

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Tony Fraser, Grant Campbell, Anicet Lafreniere work to resolve Chapleau water crisis when diesel system fails in 1973

G.Campbell, (right) K. Stone, A. Lafreniere

When a major water crisis faced Chapleau in February 1973, Tony Fraser, Grant Campbell and Anicet Lafreniere, who were not employees of the municipality, worked tirelessly to restore full service.

It all started on Wednesday February 14, Valentine's Day when pump house attendants noted that the pumping pressure had dropped at the old pump house, which was diagnosed as caused by a break in a water main somewhere in the community. It was not known where as water had not surfaced above ground.

The electric pumping station was turned off as it could only supply 550,000 gallons pressure daily, which was sufficient to keep Chapleau well supplied but with the break, it could not cope with the situation.

Immediately, the auxiliary diesel system that could supply quite adequately the needs of the town plus the water main break was put into action, and this worked quite well for two days when the 27-year old diesel system sputtered and died.

Tony, Grant and Anicet, described as "diesel experts" in the Chapleau Sentinel were brought in to determine the problem.

They worked non-stop for about 24 hours until they found what they thought was the problem.

Parts for the obsolete diesel were found in Toronto and at this point the Ontario Provincial Police were contacted to assist. Sgt. Ron Young contacted Insp. C.G. Wilkinson in Sudbury and  relay of OPP cruisers was set up to bring the parts to Chapleau. Sgt. Young sent a    Chapleau cruiser to Sudbury for the final leg of the journey.

F Card, T Way-White, Dr Young, MJM, E Gilbert

Despite working non-stop, by Monday morning it still would not work so Reeve Terry Way-White called an emergency meeting of township council for 6:30 a.m. at the pump house. The full council of Councillors Dr. G.E. Young, F.A. 'Nick' Card, Ernie Gilbert and me were present.

Council declared a state of emergency and schools were closed while large users of water and residential ater users were asked to ration their use.

Bob Smith of Dominion Road Machinery in North Bay was contacted and he immediately travelled to Chapleau to help resolve the problem. Twenty-fours later it was determined that the injection system would have to be replaced, and Mr. Smith was able to find one in Toronto.

This time, George Elliott, Chief Forester of the Ministry of Natural Resources at Chapleau provided assistance by placing a Twin Otter aircraft at the municipality's disposal to rush the new injector from Toronto, and it arrived early Tuesday afternoon.

"At exactly one minute before midnight Tuesday (February 20), the diesel system was returned to duty and is now supplying the town with its normal pressure," the Sentinel reported.

And the break that started it all? After it was found, it was repaired and water thawing at homes affected was underway, although some with plastic pipes had to wait as they could not be thawed electrically.

Although all's well that ends well, there was considerable discussion at township council when meeting when Councillor Gilbert complained that as chairman of the public works committee he felt he should have been informed about the crisis when it first started rather than hearing about it on the street.

Councillor Card, who was a CPR engineer at the time, said he was told about it in Cartier, while Councillor Young and I agreed there should have been better communication with council.

Chapleau's new water plant opened in 1976. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

JOHN THERIAULT PRESENTS THE CHAPLEAU INTERMEDIATE "A" HUSKIES - A TEAM FOR ALL SEASONS

The Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies, who came to be known simply as "The Intermediates" were important players, in community life, both on and off the ice, from their founding in 1974 until they played their last game in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League in 1979.

John Theriault kindly provided the photos you see here that capture part of what life was like with them during those years.

They were an integral part of my life, and I hope as you look at the photos, you will have fond memories of "The Intermediates" --- the team for all seasons!

Let me just add that while I am most closely associated with the team, it was Doug Prusky, who was either coaching  or managing the team, as we changed roles at times, that brought them their greatest on ice success.

I am bringing up the rear as the players participate in "A Taste of the North", the Chapleau Winter Carnival.

I am going to leave it to you to identify the players -- at least for the most part!

Rub a dub dub, three men in a tub.

The Intermediates participated in many summer activities, including the annual Summerfest sponsored by the Festival Chapleau Committee. Yes, that is Graham Bertrand on the right -- the team's trainer.

On the ice and on the ballfield behind the Chapleau Civic Centre, The Intermediates could always attract a crowd. Were you there watching RP?

Those donkeys could be ornery critters just like the Timmins North Stars. We faced them four times in the NIHL semi-finals and finally beat them in the fourth attempt. It was like we had won the Stanley Cup.

Looks like Ron Larcher has his work cut out for him here. In the background you can see the  golf clubhouse and Dr. G.E. Young's boathouse.

Over you go! Up! Up! And away!


When I was in first year at Wilfrid Laurier University in 1960, I was the organizer with some of my buddies of a bed push from London to Waterloo. We set a world record

The best we could do in Chapleau was have bed  races down main street. I got to ride on one bed and the guys made me wear a helmet.

Ernie Gilbert, a long time Chapleau councillor, and a great hockey fan, on the left, was Carnival King. I am there with Ernie and Bonhomme because at the time I was reeve (mayor) of Chapleau.

Once again to John Theriault, thanks for the memories and for letting me share your photos here.

I just can't resist closing with a comment Jamie Doyle made to me, "Chief, we were a real good hockey team, and would have been even better if we had ever had a practice with everyone there." Indeed Jamie, and that's a story for another day.

Willie Memegos rose from labourer to Chapleau public works superintendent as well as being winner of winter carnival backpack contests and tour guide for Bill Davis

Bill Davis (hands in pocket), Michael, William Memegos (white hat) and reporters

When William "Willie" Memegos and his brothers started as employees of the Township of Chapleau about 1949, they were working as labourers on the installation of the new sewage system. The pay was twenty-five cents an hour and in those days there were no coffee breaks.

Years later, after Willie became the public works superintendent, he would share stories of those days with me always paying tribute to J.M. "Jack" Shoup, a member of council and public works committee chair, who would bring the work crews jugs of water on a hot summer day.

Willie's brothers Baptiste and Adam also worked for the municipality for years, and in the view of many, Baptiste was the best grader operator there ever was. I can still hear the sound of the grader moving snow, clearing the roads in the middle of the night during the winter months. He could also perform his magic with a backhoe.

 Someone once told me that Baptiste was able to "manoeuvre this machinery with the precision of a diamond cutter" and it sure was true

When the Memegos family first arrived in the Chapleau area early in the 20th Century, they lived along the Nebskwashi River, an area where I loved to walk, and I have always felt privileged that Willie had once told me, "You can walk on my land any time."

I used to spend countless hours walking in the bush which some may call the forest, or the woods, but to me it will always simply be the bush. I had started going there  as a young boy, with my grandfather, George Hunt when he would take me along blueberry picking. It continued as an adult. The Memegos family always watched out for my grandfather who was still picking blueberries into his seventies.

For my walks I would leave from our home on Grey Street, go over the "Indian Bridge" across the "back river" (Nebskwashi River) and head off to Pellow's Field  or Corston's Farm, or just walk in the bush.

Rene Serre, Willie Memegos

Shortly after I became reeve of Chapleau, we needed a new township public works superintendent and were not satisfied with the applications we had received. Councillors Ernie Gilbert and Dr. G.E. Young suggested to me that we ask Willie if he would like the job.

Ernie was the legendary public works committee chair of his day on council, who would never hesitate to arouse me on a cold winter's night to accompany him to a home where the water had frozen, and the public works crew was on hand at maybe 50 below F. Willie was always on the scene.

Willie had not applied but when we asked if he would like it with the option that he could return to the position he had as foreman at any time, he accepted the position. And Willie never returned to his old job!

Willie would come to chat with me almost every day that I was at the Town Hall/Civic Centre, and gave me the benefit of his wisdom and guidance on all manner and sorts of things. He was a man of few words but he was always right on.

He would also lobby in his own way for projects like doing sidewalks and having a township crew undertake the installation of water and sewer, and a new road to the new Chapleau General Hospital.

Willie convinced me and council agreed to let the township public works department assume responsibility. The plan had been to contract it out.

One day Willie came into my office and said I had to stop construction according to the engineer's drawings because they were wrong. A change must be made. This led to a flurry of phone calls between us and the engineer's office, and it turned out that Willie was right and the engineer wrong! When I asked him how he knew, he replied simply, "I have a good eye."

Willie and his brothers worked on the original installation of the sewer system in Chapleau  and over the years had become experts from practical experience.

When Ontario Premier Bill Davis visited Chapleau in 1975, Willie conducted the tour which included the premier, members of council and hospital board as well as many members of the provincial news media. The media was really along because Mr. Davis had announced a provincial election that day in Timmins, and then flew to Chapleau for a visit. We did get some coverage in the Toronto newspapers as a result.

Willie and his family members also loved sports and for years totally dominated canoe races and other water sports. Willie also would win the backpacking contests at the winter carnival where participants started with a large canvas pack and walked a set distance where more weight was added. He long outwalked all other participants with weights the most could never lift let alone endure.

They also enjoyed broomball and hockey and one time played on a team called Robin's Hoods. Willie was also an outstanding fastball pitcher.

Although I had walked on the Memegos family land, I had never asked permission to do so. So one day when Willie and I were out on a tour of the municipality I asked him and he gave permission.

On  walks when I would reach the crook in the road entering the Memegos family land I would  think of Robert Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken' and reflect on  the poet's words that "two roads diverged in a single wood" and think that so often we take  the road less travelled by, and that makes all the difference in our lives.

The contribution of Willie Memegos and his brothers to Chapleau,  made all the difference in the lives of citizens in all kinds of weather. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon officially opens Chapleau Civic Centre in June 1978, and Ernie Gilbert holds protective umbrella during sudden downpour

Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon officially opened the Chapleau Civic Centre 32 years ago on June 28, 1978, a rare moment in the life of a community to have the official representative of Her Majesty the Queen in Ontario pay a visit.
The next day, Cedar Grove Lodge for Senior Citizens was officially opened by Hon. Rene Brunelle, provincial secretary for resources development, and to complete the openings, the ribbon was cut by Robert Eaton, MPP, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre on behalf of Ontario Premier William Davis on June 30.

Accompanied by her husband Donald, Mrs. McGibbon inspected honour guards of the Chapleau Air Cadet Squadron under the command of Lt. Gary Groulx, and Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion, accompanied by Jim Lane and Legion president Henry Therriault.

Cpl. Anita Memegos of the air cadets presented the Lieutenant Governor with a bouquet of flowers. Ken Russell led in the singing of O Canada and God Save the Queen, while the flag was raised by Legion member Boyd Beacock and John Way-White played Reveille.

After being escorted to the platform, Master of Ceremonies Deputy Reeve George L. Evans called on the band of the Air Cadet Squadron to play the vice regal salute.

Following prayers led by Rev. William Ivey, Father Laurent  Dube and Rev. Carson Duquette, Mrs. McGibbon cut the ribbon to officially open the civic centre. She then proceeded to tour the civic centre.

As an aside, during the official outdoor opening ceremonies there was a sudden downpour but Executive Assistant to the Reeve Eileen McCrea, prepared for any emergency, quickly provided umbrellas, and Councillor Ernie Gilbert was given the task of protecting the Lieutenant-Governor from the rain. Eileen co-ordinated all the official openings.

During her tour of the civic centre, Mrs. McGibbon, while in the library, commented that "One can judge the stature of a town or village by the extent of its library." She was greeted in the library by board chair Mrs. Renee Cecile, librarian Estelle Morin and the staff and board members.

At the Fire Hall she was welcomed by Fire Chief Ad Andrews, and while there presented 30 year service certificates to Chief Andrews, Deputy Chief Frank Coulter and Raoul Lemieux Sr.

She then proceeded to visit Cedar Grove Lodge, the museum and the recreation centre with Councillors Robert Lafreniere and Ernie Gilbert as tour guides and drivers for the official party.

Upon arrival at the Legion Hall for a luncheon, the Lieutenant Governor was met by branch president Henry Therriault and Ladies Auxiliary president Thelma Therriault. Her Honour placed a wreath on the newly rededicated cenotaph.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that it was a delightful lunch prepared by a "gourmet chef." The luncheon was under the direction of Mrs. Dorleen Collings ably assisted by her team from the Legion auxiliary.

Mrs. McGibbon also had the opportunity to chat with Catherine Remus and Ann Thompson, who had been exchange students under the Rotary Club program. She also met Frank Cranston, Chapleau's last survivor of World War I.

On behalf of the citizens of Chapleau I presented the Lieutenant Governor with a plate designed and made by Northern Pottery, a Chapleau industry.The platinum plate was unique as it had been designed specifically for this occasion. (For new readers, I was the Reeve (Mayor) of Chapleau at the time.)

Following the departure of Mrs. McGibbon, there was another celebration at the Chapleau Public Library. The highlight of the gathering was the presentation of an achievement scroll to Mrs. Cecile by George Evans. It read as follows: "The Board of the Chapleau Public Library, in recognition of her untiring devotion to library service in Chapleau, presented this plaque to honour Mrs. Rene Cecile, member of the Board since its inception in 1959." Her granddaughter Lisa presented her with a bouquet of red roses.

Harry Pellow, then of Neish Owen Rowland and Roy was the principal architect for the Chapleau Civic Centre. Harry is a member of a pioneer Chapleau family.

Next week: Canada Week 1978 continued with openings, Don Harron, Catherine McKinnon, Foster Hewitt and King Clancy. My email is mj.morris@live.ca