The Squamidian Report – Feb. 20 / 16
Issue #717
Including:
The Ontarion
Hi All,
It doesn't happen very often and I sure don't like it when it does but
I was under the weather this week for a few days. I can't even remember
the last time that happened but for some reason my senesces bunged
right up, my joints and muscles hurt like heck and my energy level
dropped to about zero. No headache, no upset stomach or anything like
that, not even a sore throat, just hurt all over unable to breath.
Breathing is one of those thing we like to do and almost take for
granted. It was very much like I'd been exposed to some of the things
like mineral dust or pollen that hit me hard when they get the
opportunity. Now we are starting into Alder pollen season around here
and that might have been part of it or a contributing factor but I
really don't know. Aside from still dealing with plugged ears and nose,
the rest seems to be over with.
What isn't over with yet is the rain. We've averaged about 6 days per
week for the last 6 weeks of cold heavy steady rain. It just keeps
pumping in. Its getting a little tiring. That 7th day will be nice and
sunny just to tease us and then its back to dark and wet. Its caused
rock slides along the highway and put everyone into a grumpy mood. A
month of rain this time of year is ok, sort of normal for the wet coast
but come on, 6 long weeks? You'd think it was November. Heck, it often
rains for 6 weeks straight in November. I know thats not mathematically
possible but if you lived where that kind of thing happens, you'd agree.
Between the weather and being under the weather, there just isn't much
else to talk about so thats if for me for this week. Perhaps I'll be a
bit longer winded next time.
doug
****
****
THE ONTARION REPORT
Hello everyone!
Today when I sat in the family room to enjoy a cup of tea after just
getting out of bed the first thing I did was to turn on our i-pad to
read the paper. We don’t subscribe to the printed version of The RECORD
since discovering the electronic version on line. Of course the first
thing I do is read the local section. To my surprise and dismay the
lead article for the day was a picture of Max Hussey the former Chief
of the Waterloo Fire Dept who worked beside me for 15 years on the same
shift. Unfortunately the article was written as a tribute to him and a
report that he had passed away suddenly last Monday in his hometown of
Gander Newfoundland. Max had been a firefighter with WFD starting 6
months after I did in 1973. We worked on the same shift for as I said
15 years until I achieved a promotion to Lieutenant in 1988. At that
point I was transferred to a different shift. Over the years Max and
his wife Grace had attended parties at out house along with several
other couples from our work platoon. Max was an unassuming and gentle
guy and had that Newfie honesty and outspokenness about him. He was a
hard worker and also took an interest in the Firefighter’s Union. He
transferred from the Firefighting crew to the Fire Prevention office as
an inspector shortly after I got promoted. Max also became the
president of our union as well as the vice president of the Ontario
Professional Firefighter’s Association. He worked for several years to
promote the safety and benefits for not only the Waterloo Firefighters
but also for firefighters throughout Ontario. He was one of the most
loved union executives and eventually was recognized by the civil
governments of many cities in Ontario for his integrity and honesty
during union negotiations for annual contracts.
With his record for public relations and integrity in dealing with the
city executives, he eventually was offered the job of Fire Chief for
the city of Waterloo. He accepted the position and became one of the
most respected Fire Chiefs in not only Ontario but in all of Canada. At
one time he was seconded by the City of Edmonton Alberta to temporarily
transfer out west to sort out the many employment and management
problems that city was having with it’s 600 + fire and management
personnel. Max was out west for six months and successfully redesigned
Edmonton’s fire service and solved all of their personnel and
management problems. He did all of this while looking after his own
department here at home. It was with the help of Chief Hussey that I
was able to enjoy the senior years of my career in WFD and to
eventually obtain early retirement at the rank of Captain from the City
of Waterloo with my health and sanity intact! Max retired a few months
after I did and moved back to his hometown of Gander Nfld. He left KW
behind after living here for 36 years and said it was like he’d never
left Gander upon his arrival and purchase of a retirement home in that
city. He had always kept in touch with the friends and relatives he had
had in Gander while growing up there. They accepted him “home” as if it
was only a vacation he’d taken here in Ontario. It’s sad that Max
passed away so suddenly but I’m sure he and his wife Grace were
thankful for the 13 years of retirement they enjoyed back in Gander.
From what the many friends he had here in KW heard of Max’s retirement
he enjoyed an active and healthy lifestyle in his retirement years and
there were no indications of ill health until his sudden demise. It’s
too bad he wasn’t able to enjoy another 13 years or more of retirement
in his beloved Newfoundland. It seems unfair when anybody passes away
suddenly but it’s especially so when the person has lived a decent and
honest life and has done so making such well appreciated contributions
to those who trusted and enjoyed working with and for such a good man!
Rest In Peace Max! You were respected and will be missed by many!
That’s all for this week folks!
Thanks for tuning in and I’ll look forward to talking to you all again next week in The Ontarion Report!
Bye for now … Greg
PS: Something To Think About>
No matter your age, “Life is just too short”!
****
Have a good one..
the doug
The Fine Print!
The articles in these issues are the sole property of the persons writing them and should be respected as such.
|