Brad and Yvette's son Jay had contacted me on Facebook to ask if I could write a "blurb" to mark his parents 50th wedding anniversary. I contacted Judy who I am in touch with regularly on Facebook, and the blurb became a column.
In the interests of full disclosure before I go any further, my family has a long, long, Grey Street connection with the Corston family. My grandparents, Edythe and George Hunt lived in the house where Cecil and Louella (Perfetto) Corston lived and raised their family. Next door was the Corston family home, and in 1945, my mother Muriel (Hunt) Morris, my grandparents and I moved in next door.
There were eight Corston boys, and when my Mom was growing up in the house beside them, they referred to her as their "sister". All very good friends for many many years.
Back to Judy's love story!
She related that "a tall dark handsome native meets a tiny 4 foot, nine inch French Canadian girl in the Au Coq D'Or restaurant in Chapleau. He knew very little French and her English was limited. They fell in love."
They were married in St John's Anglican Church on September 24, 1966 with Rev J.G.M. Doolan, the Rector, conducting the service. Their brother Keeter, now the Chief of Chapleau Cree First Nation stood for Brad and Gayle Encil Duggan, their cousin, stood for Yvette.
A reception and party which apparently lasted until the "wee hours" of the morning were held at the family home.
Jay picks up the story. His mother, Yvette, who was from Thetford Mines, Quebec, came to visit her father who was working in Chapleau for J.E. Martel Lumber Ltd. expecting to stay two weeks which may have become the "longest two week visit ever" as she started to work as a waitress at the Au Cog D'Or, which was located beside the Redwood, aka Boston Cafe.
At the time Brad was working for the Department of Lands and Forests which later became the Ministry of Natural Resources. Over the years he worked as a scaler, fire ranger, crew leader and sector boss, and in 1981 transferred to timber where he became responsible of Pineland sector which extended from the Shawmere River to Timmins, according to Jay.
After retiring from the ministry, he worked for a time at Guillemette Lumber, True North Timber, and most recently drove a school bus.
Brad has also been active in Chapleau Cree First Nation, and at the present time is a member of the council. He also served as Deputy Chief for five years.
Yvette worked for Stedman's store for many years and also had a house cleaning business. She now works as a volunteer at the Second Hand store which helps to support St John's Church.
Judy referred to her memories as a "simple spin" on a love story that has now lasted more than 50 years. For sure, love has no borders.
I extend my most sincere congratulations to Brad and Yvette as they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and my sincere thanks to Jay and Judy for their assistance in giving me the words for this "blurb". And thanks as always to my cousin Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick for providing me with background information, and sharing that at one time Brad and Yvette lived in an apartment attached to their home in Chapleau. My email is mj.morris@live.ca