Herb Vezina shared 'short stories' about growing up and working in Chapleau area in its early years

When Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church was celebrating its centennial in the 1980s, Herb Vezina shared some anecdotes about his family and growing up and working  in Chapleau. 

In what he called "short stories, he relates that his mother was a waitress, adding more likely a maid at the Parliament buildings in Ottawa.

Apparently one day the cook took sick and no one was available to cook fish that Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald was going to have for dinner. 

His mother said: "I'll cook it but some of the girls will have to give me a hand. Don't forget I'm only eleven years old."

The prime minister told her that it was the best fish he had ever eaten and gave her a dollar that she had until their house in Chapleau burned down in the 1920s.

After his parents settled in Chapleau in 1905, they had a teacher living with them who could not drink green tea so she ordered black tea from North Bay. Soon thereafter Chapleau stores started selling black tea, and green tea was no longer available in the community.

Mr. Vezina started working when he was very young and went to lumber camps in the area with his father Benjamin.

He was 12 years old and working at Devon in 1918 when Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church burned down at Christmas time.

They stood on the roof of the camp  where they had a view of the flames as the church burned.

"The flames were shooting out into the sky -- was the fire ever going"

After the fire destroyed the church, it was rebuilt under the direction of the parish priest Father Romeo Gascon and the first mass in it was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1919,

Mr. Vezina wrote that over 100 men were working in the camp at Devon. A.L. Morse was in charge.

They slept in bunk house that had three decks of bunks and the top one was just about one foot from the ceiling. Four stoves were going all day to heat the bunk house. 

Later he worked at Bolkow on the Canadian Pacific Railway line which was the "best place" . One year there were more than 560,000 logs in Bolkow Lake.

Working at Whalen, they would knock off work at four p.m. on a Saturday and he would walk along the track home to Chapleau, and walk back on Sunday, roughly a distance of 50 CPR miles return.

When I first read this in his article in the Chapleau Sentinel, I said "wow" to myself, then recalled that my grandfather Harry Morris would walk to our camp at Healy, a distance of 17 CPR miles from Chapleau with a full pack on his back -- and of course back to Chapleau.

In the same article, his sister Olive who married F.A. 'Nick' Card, a member of another pioneer Chapleau family, noted that their parents Ben and Bridget Vezina arrived in Chapleau in 1905. She added that he father worked for the CPR and for lumber companies. There were 13 children in the family.

The article provides just a glimpse into life in Chapleau and area over 100 years ago. Please feel free to share any pioneer life stories. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Allan McNiece 'Mac' Austin member of one of Chapleau's earliest families, lawyer, judge, athlete dies

Allan McNiece 'Mac' Austin, a member of the family who established the first store in Chapleau, a lawyer and judge on the Superior Court and Court of Appeal for Ontario, died on January 12, 2018.

 

His obituary notes that Mr. Austin was the beloved husband of Margaret Kyle for 66 years. Adored father of Allan (Lyn), Jim (Sue) and Tom (Rosaria). Devoted and loving grandfather of Maggie (Jeremy Packard), Gren, Graham (Mallory Lazarus) and Michael. 

Born in Chapleau in 1928, he was the third son of Allan McNiece Austin and Alice Dickinson. He was predeceased by his brother, James McNiece; and is survived by his brothers, John Beresford and Richard Jackson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Writing in Chapleau Trails, edited and published by Dr. William R. Pellow, Mr. Austin wrote that his great uncle T.A. Austin established a store in tent at Chapleau in late 1885, and in 1886 moved to a building on Birch Street. The tent store was located in "old Chapleau" near the site of Lady Minto Hospital.

His grandfather James McNiece Austin arrived shortly thereafter, took over the store and operated it until 1904. His father after whom he was named was born in 1896.

By the late 1890s, their lumber business was established cutting ties for the Canadian Pacific Railway eventually becoming the biggest supplier of ties to the railway. In 1901, his grandfather and G.B. Nicholson became partners. Mr. Nicholson became the first reeve of Chapleau, also in 1901.

By about 1908, Mr. Austin wrote that his grandfather took over operation of a hydro electric operation. It had been owned by Mageau and Leblanc lumber.

His grandfather, who had served in World War I  died in 1922, and Mr. Nicholson, became president of the lumber company with his father as vice president.

Growing up in Chapleau, he spent his summers working for the family business.

'Mac'  was born in Chapleau, and received his early education at Chapleau Public and Chapleau High Schools, before following his older brothers south to attend Trinity College School in Port Hope. He went on to Victoria College at the University of Toronto and was a member of the first class to graduate from the University of Toronto Law School.

His obituary notes he was a student, associate, partner and managing partner with the firm now called WeirFoulds, LLP. From 1987 to 2003 he served as a judge in the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. After retiring from the bench he returned to WeirFoulds and participated in arbitration and mediation work. 

WeirFoulds,LLP notes on its web site that "The Honourable Allan McNiece Austin is counsel to the firm, providing the insight and experience of 32 years of practice and 17 years on the bench. Mac was an articling student, lawyer and partner at Mason, Foulds (now WeirFoulds LLP) from 1952 to 1986. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ontario (Trial Division) (now the Superior Court) in December 1986, and to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in May 1992.

Upon his death, the law firm added "Mac was a trusted mentor, a consummate professional, and a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed."

His obituary says that "He was a natural athlete and an accomplished cross-country runner, and he loved sailing and skiing well into his later years. He was a dedicated and long-time member of Eglinton St. George's United Church. He loved God, his family and his work. He loved life."

A Service of Thanksgiving was  held on Monday, January 22nd at 2:00 p.m.in Eglinton St. George's United Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mac's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 20 Eglinton Avenue West, 16th Floor, Toronto M4R 1K8, www.alzheimer.ca. Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.

I extend my deepest sympathy to his family as well as my sincere thanks to his niece Elizabeth Austin for her assistance.My email is mj.morris@live.ca

LINK TO AUSTIN NICHOLSON LUMBER COMPANY STORY http://michaeljmorrisreports.blogspot.ca/2011/09/austin-nicholson-lumber-company-becomes.html

Contingent travels to Montreal to celebrate Floyd Curry Night at The Forum as Chapleau born National Hockey League player honoured

A Chapleau contingent took the overnight Canadian Pacific Railway passenger train to "do their bit" at a celebration for Floyd 'Busher' Curry of the Montreal Canadiens, according to a story in the Sudbury Star.

It was Floyd Curry Night at The Forum in Montreal, honouring the Chapleau born player who the article noted was "a staunch supporter of Chapleau and environs." He played in the National Hockey League all with the Canadiens from 1947 to 1958.

Curry was born in Chapleau on August 11, 1925, but lived in Nicholson during his early years. He did have relatives in Chapleau.

The Sudbury Star noted that Curry was "well deserving of the support and acclaim of those who knew him personally and of Chapleau hockey fans who knew him as an outstanding player."

The newspaper added that "clean sport" had always been his standard "and had won him the support of his team-mates and opponents."

The Montreal trip was organized by Olive and Don Card, both of whom were greatly involved in Chapleau hockey for many years. In fact Mrs. Card was known as 'Mrs. Minor Hockey' for her 25 years service as secretary-treasurer of the Chapleau Minor Hockey Association. Don coached minor hockey teams and played for the Chapleau  Huskies and the Legion team in the town league.

The Sudbury Star story says 30 Chapleau people made the trip but only includes 17 who were Mr. and Mrs. Milton Schroeder, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Turner, Albert Bignucolo, Roger Longchamps, Mike Mione, Reggie Sonego, Alison and David McMillan, Raymond Brunette, Romeo Levesque, Eugene Fortin. Keith 'Sonny' Chambers and Baisel Collings plus Mr and Mrs Card.

David McMillan and I chatted about this trip when he visited me in Cranbrook several years ago and he advised that Alcide Brunette and Don 'Flappy' Jardine were also there. David has since died.

 I have included photos of teams which had some  players on them who went to Montreal and to provide a glimpse of some local hockey players from the Floyd Curry era in the NHL

If any others have details on this trip or were there please let me know.

Layton Goodwin who had lived in Nicholson when Curry did told the newspaper  "that at the age of four or five young Curry was busy on the ice (Lake Windermere) practising his shots with a broken down stick and an old tin can."

The Curry family moved to Kirkland Lake where Floyd started his organized hockey career.

After six years with the Oshawa Generals and a Memorial Cup win the Montreal Canadiens realized his potential and signed him. He had also become a member of the Canadian armed forces near the end pf World War II.

He played for the Montreal Royals before being brought up to the Canadiens. Playing his his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens it started in 1947 and ended in 1958. During his time with Montreal, Floyd won four Stanley Cups 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958. In his NHL career he played in 601 games, scored 105 goals and earned 99 assists for 204 points.

After retiring as a player, he coached the Montreal Royals, then went on to work for the Canadiens front office for over 40 years as director of sales and travel secretary. In summer of 1968 he was promoted to Assistant General manager. He remained in that position until 1978. During his time in Montreal the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup 6 more times.

Writing on his blog Greatest Hockey Legends, Joe Pelletier noted that for most of his hockey life Curry was a modest player happy to stay in the shadows of hockey's spotlight. Most nights, except one.

"On Oct 29, 1951 -- with then Princesss Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Ediburgh in attendance, " Pelletier wrote, "Curry scored three goals in a 6-1 victory over the New York Rangers. The Princess (who became Queen in 1952) was in the midst of her first royal tour left The Forum under the impression Busher Curry was the best hockey player in the world." 

"It was Curry's greatest moment," Pelletier added.

Floyd 'Busher' Curry died on September 16, 2006 at age 81. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Names for photos

Chapleau High School team 1956-57-- David McMillan, Doug Sleivert, Stan Barty,Thane Crozier, Clarence Fiaschetti (teacher and coach), George Lemon (principal) Second row: Doug Espaniel, Roger Mizuguchi, Bill Cachagee . Front are Jim Hong, Bert Lemon, Harry Pellow, Ken Schroeder, Robbie Pellow (Mascot) Marc Boulard, Harry Hong, Jim Machan, Ron Morris.

 Chapleau Junior Team 1949 --Back row are from left Orville Robinson, Doug Swanson, Lorne Riley, Greg Lucas, Tee Chambers, Fred Goheen, Keith Strapp, Toddy Collinson, Ernest 'Sonny' Bignucolo, D.O. Payette (manager), Pat Serre, Ross Hamlin, George Payette. Front from left, Yen Hong, Bob Evans, Reggie Sonego, Ross Thornton (coach), Tom Jardine, Angelo Mione, Johnny Morin, Mike Mione, Clarence Fiaschetti

Here are the 1953-54 Chapleau Bantam champions who won the Algoma Dairy Trophy.. Back row from left: Baisil Collings (coach), Michael McMullen, Mrs. Broomhead, David McMillan, Richard Pilon, Tim Goodwin. Front are Charlie White, Ken Schroeder and Harry 'Boo' Hong.

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MM