Pat Purich Russell shares photos from Chapleau Remembrance Day service

Pat Purich Russell kindly shared photos from the Remembrance Day Service conducted by Branch No 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion on November 11 in Chapleau.

The wreaths lined up ready to be  placed at the cenotaph beside the Legion Hall

Pat commented ."Unreal how the weather was so perfect for the service,.. huge crowd, beautiful blue skies. the Canadian flag blowing in the breeze up against the gorgeous blue sky."

Lest We Forget over the front door of the Legion Hall

Part of Young Street is now called "Veterans Way" Pat explained that her husband Ken Russell, a veteran and former reeve of Chapleau played a major role in renaming the section of the street to honour all veterans.

Pat also provided this beautiful poppy photo. Thanks for sharing Pat.

"Mustard seeds planted in fertile soil" marked beginning of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Chapleau

Father Romeo Gascon, who was mainly responsible for building the present Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, provided an account  of the project after the  church was destroyed by fire on December 18, 1918.

The first Roman Catholic church in Chapleau was located where Collins furniture store is now. In 1891, a Father Grenier arrived and under his guidance a larger church was started at its present location, 

Father Gascon noted in his article contained in the Richard Brownlee papers. Father Gascon was priest in Chapleau from 1911 to 1958 when he died.

Prior to the building of the first church, Father Gascon wrote that Mass and the administration of the Sacraments were conducted in construction camps and private houses. "Great and numerous were the hardships of those first missionaries who had to minister to the few faithful scattered over a large territory,"

Roman Catholic Separate School

It was under the ministry of a Father Proulx that the priest's house was built around 1906 as well as the separate school. In 1925 the Sisters of St. Mary built the convent.

Priest's house, back of church and steeple at United Church

Disaster struck when the church became "the prey of fire" and the "church, and its contents, rich statuary and costly Mass vestments, tribute to the zealous work of the early missionaries and the generosity of the faithful pioneers" were lost."

"In a few hours nothing was left of the work and generosity of thirty years," Father Gascon wrote. "It cast a gloom over the joyous feast of Christmas.."

However, this was of short duration. "Immediately the Catholic people with their pastor pledged themselves to rebuild on a larger scale, to put up a Church which would be a credit and proof of their unfeigned faith and generosity.

"And this was accomplished. The following Christmas, Midnight Mass was sung for the first time in the new church."

Father Gascon sketched out the design for the new church and supervised the construction.

Alfred Leclerc, who arrived in Chapleau in 1915, in an article prepared for the church's 100th anniversary, said he had helped built it. He also was actively involved in other ways over many years.

Georgina and Alfred Leclerc

Writing his account in December 1932, just before Christmas,  Father  Gascon added that since the new church was opened, almost every year something is done to  "beautify the church so today it  stands as one of the nicest churches in the district."

In his conclusion, which he then signed "Romeo Gascon" he noted that the beginnings of the Roman Catholic Church in Chapleau were modest but were "mustard seed sown in fertile soil.

"Through the zeal, sacrifice and energy of these first missionaries and pioneer settlers this tiny seed has germinated and grown up to be a large tree.  Its branches and leaves now throw a refreshing shade."

He invited the people to the church to rest and regain lost strength. Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church will celebrate its 96th anniversary in the "new" church this year at Christmas.

I extend my thanks again to Margaret Rose and Bobby Fortin for loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Priceless hockey moments in Chapleau provided by Charlie Purich

Knowing that I would be in Florida when my Chapleau Moments deadline approached, I decided to do hockey and contacted Charlie Purich for some hockey memories.

I also have heard from Jennifer Harvey-Cyr telling me about the recent Chapleau Atom champions, so as hockey season gets underway, I wanted to encourage everyone to go to the arena and show support. 

Having coached Midget and Intermediate hockey in Chapleau, I know the great feeling when there were big crowds on hand, and also disappointment when we had to play in a largely empty arena.

When Charlie played hockey in Chapleau, he was known as "the catalyst" of the Chapleau High School hockey team in the 1960s when Dr Karl A Hackstetter was the school's principal.

Charlie went on to play at Laurentian University, and has been playing ever since. And, he continues to be interested in Chapleau. Here are some of his memories. I have made some comments in  brackets.

Charlie circa 1964

"Defeating Terrace Bay on their ice to win the North Shore trophy in the second game of a two,game total goal series. Tied 9-9 in Chapleau. Won next game  9-8 after being down 8-4 on their ice, with 12 minutes to play."

"The many games vs Wawa. Fans loved the action. At times, brutal games so good skating trumped the nastiness. Playing in Wawa could be intimidating."
Junior B Reunion
"A particular game in Blind River where Eddy Bignucolo stopped 54,shots. I think it was a tie. I was playing for Laurentian and drove over to join the team. (Eddy's brothers Albert and Ernest (Sonny) were also great Chapleau golatenders. Sonny was killed while on active service in Canada's armed forces and his friends donated a trophy in his memory. It was played for at winter carnivals).

 "As a kid, watching the Huskies skate onto the ice during the Winter Carnival.Recall one time when a bagpiper led the team around the rink in the pre game. Earle Freeborn led the players. A vision locked in my head - every young hockey player couldn't wait to play for the Intermediate club." (I am older than Charlie and I too recall the thrill of watching the Intermediates skate onto the ice going back to just after World War II in the old old rink.



The late Garth 'Tee' Chambers was my hockey hero and still is).



 "Leading 3-2 in a game in town. I had the puck and was skating down the ice and turned to skate back to,our end.Method in my madness was to kill time. Buddy later asked me what ta hell I was doing. Earle (Freeborn) and I laugh about that to this day." (Buddy of course is the late Keith J 'Buddy' Swanson, hockey coach extraordinaire who with Lorne Riley and Tom Welch founded the Chapleau Junior 'B' Huskies)

Junior/Intermediat Reunion 2001

"A scene in the Sudbury Arena one weekend. Looked up into the stands to see Earle and Buddy sitting there.. Big thrill just to see them. (Charlie was playing for Laurentian)

And this one: "Being so proud to have played hockey in my hometown of Chapleau-Priceless!"

My sincere thanks to Charlie for taking time to provide some memories and to Jennifer for contacting me. I hope all will support minor hockey. Charlie I am sure speaks for all of us who played and/or were involved in hockey  --- PRICELESS!!!  Maybe time for a reunion!

Note: I didn't have all the names for the reunion photos so hope you know them all... That happens when I am travelling and forget to get names. I will add them when I get home/

My email is mj.morris@live.ca