mattersofthemoment

I recently attended the graduation ceremony of our son from university.  The convocation address given by Stephen Schipper, distinguished artistic director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre was a bit unusual.  Instead of telling graduates to dream big, follow your dreams and achieve your potential, he had a different message – LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

Life is a series of moments, we all know.  Mr. Schipper pleaded with the graduates not to forget that.  His advice was to always BE IN THE MOMENT where ever you are and in whatever you are doing.  Then you will experience life to the fullest (and achieve your goals, reach your potential, change the world.)

Hence I decided to name this blog mattersofthemoment because moments indeed do matter in life.  I discuss what matters of the moment matter to me in Faith, life, travel, books and history and ask you what your thoughts are.  Perhaps not overly original, but definitely in the moment.  I hope you will be in the moment too.

In 1942 McGill University had a Masonic Club. It was in it’s 19th year. Their purpose was … “to keep the student Mason in touch with the Craft during his attendance at college.  This the club has attempted to do, in so in spite of the increasing demands made by the War on its members.  University Lodge is the sponsor of the Masonic Club, and Club members are urged to look on University Lodge as their “Masonic home” while at McGill.”

While I cannot find a reference to a Masons Club in University of Toronto’s 1936 Year Book, 42 separate “fraternity” clubs are listed with names like Phi Delta Theta and Beta Theta Pi.  I bet a Masons Club existed there too and still does

Who are the Masons?  Freemasonry was first established in London in 1717.  It’s evolution represented a response to men’s social need to organize themselves into some kind of brotherhood during a period when the dominant social ethic was becoming individualism.  Individualistic, theistic and anti-Catholic, the Masons organized a collective infused with brotherly humanism and based on elaborate ritual. The Odd Fellows, the Woodmen and scores of other societies adopted many of the Masonic principles such as their three-degree initiation rite, secret passwords, special handshakes and promises to aid one another in times of sickness or distress.  The expressed purpose of the masons is to make a man a better man – a better husband, a better father, a better community member, a better citizen.  The Masons do not seek new members (although this may have changed recently), new members seek out the Masons.

Hundreds of fraternal organizations were formed in the Americas in the 1870s and 80s including many temperance and literary groups.  Some form of life insurance was often offered to members as “benefits”.

One of these many fraternal benefit societies formed in 1882 was the Knights of Columbus with which I am very familiar.  As a member of the K of C, and Roman Catholic, I am forbidden to join the Masons because of the wide gulf in spiritual beliefs.  The Masons are deemed “deists” proclaiming only a common belief in a master creator – whatever you wish to call her/him – God, Allah etc.  Even some of the Protestant denominations label masonry as occultish and pagan like. However the Church of England is known as being a strong upholder.  Many Anglicans have been masons for many generations.   My paternal Grandpa Rev. White Burton Morgan was an Anglican minister and Mason of the Scottish Perfection Lodge.  Likely many others of his family were too.

 

With this brief introduction, it is very interesting that we also have a number of known Masons in both the Ward and Finnie families: Sydney M, R. Gordon W. and Alex Finnie.  There were undoubtedly more, perhaps Samuel H. himself and several more of his sons and brothers.

A Lodge is the basic organizational unit.  Sydney M. belonged to the Westmount Lodge: http://www.westmountlodge.org/   ; R. Gordon. belonged to the Waverly Lodge: http://www.biblio.com/book/laws-waverley-lodge-82-free-accepted/d/8872908 ; and, Alex Finnie likely belonged at the time of his death to one of the many Victoria, BC area lodges: http://www.freemasonryinvictoria.com/

Here is a copy of Syd’s Life Membership in Westmount Lodge No.76. He would have been about 55 when this was issued so he had probable been a member for at least 25 years.  A Life Membership usually means you do not have to pay annual dues any longer and is an honour to receive:

Hence these three at least must have known the secret handshake, passwords and rituals and have been able to discuss this together freely over a beer or coffee.  One or more may have been a Grand Master meaning they presided over a Grand Lodge.  There would have been many social events to which wives were likely invited.  Networking and many dinners would have been had.  A secret society to which we Wards and Finnies belonged – very interesting connections here.

The Mason seeing eye.

In the previous image, the compass and square represent the link to the middle ages stone mason Craft from which the Freemasons sprung.  The “G” may stand for God or Good.

No secrets here!

Are there any current Masons in the family?  Please feel free to correct my musings on this topic.

David

Alfred David Morgan, my father was born on April 14, 1921 in Vankleek Hill, a small town in Eastern Ontario.  His dad was Rev. White Burton Morgan, an Anglican minister.  His mom was Bella Mae Vallillee of Ottawa. They had moved to Vankleek Hill from Ottawa because White became the pastor or assistant at the local Anglican church.  The photo above is of Alf in his first sailor outfit and is dated Aug 1, 1923.

Barbara Morgan and I believe this to be Alf left and Burt right playing in Vankleek Hill circa 1923

Circa 1930

Age 16, 1937

Alf as young man circa 1939

Alf had 3 older sisters: Lois, Vera and Barbara.  He had an older brother Burton and a younger one Reg.  Hence they were a typical semi-rural large family.  They had a dog named Ginger.  Life for Alf must have involved family meals, school, chores and Sunday school.  One thing became quickly clear, young Alf liked sports.

St John the Apostle Anglican Church, Vankleek Hill today

We next find the family living on Fourth Ave in McKellar Park in Ottawa’s Westboro community.  White had become the pastor at St Martin’s Anglican which is now the Hulse and Playfair Funeral Home corner of Woodroffe and Byron Ave.  Alf progressed through grade school at Broadview Ave Public which is being designated a heritage site: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/heritage-designation-could-preserve-part-of-broadview-school

 

With Bella and brother Burt 1930s

 In 1933 he entered Nepean HS right next door.  He played on the basketball team and played golf frequently at the local McKellar Park GC which no longer exists. (There is an old original sign from this club in the bar at Pine Lodge in Bristol, PQ.)  In the 1930s he wins the R. H. Montgomery Trophy for low net and with partner Miss B. Kendrick finishes second in the low net couples.  I have a certificate saying that he had a hole in one at McKellar Park as well as another one in 1948 at the Chaudiere GC (pre-cursor of the Chaudiere in Hull, PQ I think).  There are photos of him with a tennis racket too.  He loved sports but golf was his first love.

Alf third from right, front row and in centre in top photo

 

HS Prom 1939

With another girlfriend in 1942 (sorry Mom)

He must have done reasonably well in HS as his parents sent him off to McGill in Montreal in 1939 for an Arts Degree. While at McGill for several years he was the sports editor for the McGill Daily student newspaper.  His graduation book message in 1942 reads: ” Associate Editor, McGill Daily 1940-42; Inter-company Football; Men’s Historical Club 1940-42; Basketball Referee 1940-41; Co-Editor Leonard Foundation Annual 1941-42; expects to do post-grad work at McGill.”

 

McGill Arts Grad 1942

Cool dresser

But then the War intervened.  On campus there had been 6 hours of military training per week and inter-varsity sports had been curtailed.  On Dec 13, 1942 Alf joined the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Special Branch.  Many of his friends must have joined the forces too, some of whom would never return. I am not sure how he got there but he spent most of his subsequent war years at Fort Pepperrell in the Signals group of the North Atlantic Division. The base building is now a community centre in beautiful Quidi Vidi just outside St. John’s, NL.  I have his badge and two war medals.  They indicate that he served “overseas” since Newfoundland was a British protectorate then and hence was considered to be overseas  He was subsequently appointed to the rank of full Lieutenant with seniority dating from July 1943 by Defence Minister Paul Hellyer in 1963.

 

Alf at HMCS Cornwallis Ottawa for training 1943, 2nd from left front row

Joker Morgan with trademark cigar

That’s more like it!

Fun times

The standing joke Alf had about when he served in Newfoundland was that he had 40 women under him!  It was sometime during this hay day period that he met Mary Ward from Montreal.  She was a pretty RN serving at the Naval hospital in Shelbourne, NS.  There must have been many parties while on leave that occasioned their meeting.  Well their romance blossomed, they both survived the War and were to be married in Montreal in December 1945.

1944

Alf resigned from the RCNVR immediately following the War and took advantage of some bursaries and reduced tuition for forces members reintegrating in Canadian society after the War. He was accepted at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.  He headed down there and lived at 22 Prince Arthur Ave just west of the formerly trendy Oakville.  Mary initially stayed in Montreal planning their 1945 wedding.  Then she joined him and helped pay the bills as a store nurse and stenographer.  They lived at 142 Wellesley St E near cabbage town in Toronto.

The Happy Couple, Dec 1945

Mary, White, Bella and Alf circa 1949

Upon law school graduation Alf landed a job in the Foreign Exchange Control Board of the Bank of Canada in Ottawa as a solicitor.  However, just after I was born in 1950, the Board was disbanded and dad had to scramble to find a new job.  He contacted friend Don Dipblock from his McGill days who was working with the City of Ottawa Legal Department.  “Dippy” as mom used to call him helped Alf get a job as assistant city solicitor in their legal department.  Alf spent 15 years working on such projects as the creation of the Sparks Street Mall and expropriation of land needed to construct the Queensway (Hwy 417) across Ottawa in the early 1960s.  There is a letter or two on file from very satisfied citizens thanking Alf and his secretary for good service.  During these years he would moonlight, doing conveyance and title searches for clients during the evenings.  I remember visiting his new office in the new Ottawa city hall building that was built for $4 million on Greens Island in the early 1960s.  In those days they had to work 5 1/2 days a week and there was no dress down Fridays!  The Federal government now owns this very attractive building.

We initially lived at 375 Mayfair Ave before moving in 1952 to a brand new bungalow at 905 Mountainview Ave which was way out in the new west end.  Kim was born in 1953 and we lived happily there until moving to a new split level in 1958 at 2300 Georgina Drive just around the corner.  Dad and mom had bought a big corner lot, subdivided it and we moved to one corner of it while another new house was put up next door.  Our house had a backyard open to all the neighbours’ yards so dad used to hit golf balls around with his pitching wedge.  He also had a couple of rubber dog bones he would squeeze all winter to strengthen his golf grip.  He used to say “Money doesn’t grow on trees you know” and also for some reason “Don’t you know?”

1950

Dec 53 with Kim and sad camper me at 905

Alf joined the prestigious Rivermead GC in March 1955.  I still have his ownership share worth $100.  He played with his buddies one of whom was Hugh Riopelle, uncle of Rev. Tom Riopelle, our former Nepean parish priest.  In 1958, he won the annual Beef and Greens tournament Walter J. Williamson Trophy for low net.  I remember him playing every Weds PM, Saturday and Sunday mornings … forever.  In the spring, he would go for a week to Southern Pines, SC and play 36 holes a day with his golf buddies.  Towards the end I would caddy for him and could hardly wait for  the coke and chocolate bar snacks at the end. When someone sunk a long put in those days they would yell out “Lafayette, we are here!  If I do that now, people don’t know what I am talking about.

 

Alf, Bella, me, White circa 1953

 

At Aunt Barbara Morgan’s for dinner

He was also an avid curler and belonged to the Rideau Curling Club.  Mom did not curl or golf much but must have attended some of the frequent socials.  He was also a member of the Canadian Club which bills itself as a prestigious meeting place for the inquiring and influential.  They host speakers, networking events and hospitality.  There is no mention of him being a Mason.  Cousin Barbara Morgan says there were a few Masons on the Vallillee of the family though.

One of the neat things we had was one of those 8 mm movie cameras that dad bought when they were all the rage in the 60s.  I have a extended film of these family memories that still works.  It includes scene’s of Alf and friends golfing in S.C., the Queen Mother’s visit to Ottawa in 1962, … and Alf’s thumb slipping in front of the lens blocking the scene he was trying to shooting.  Will have to get this converted to DVD someday.

He was a big fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Roughriders.  When Frank Mahovolich used to score with that blazing slapshot, dad would run upstairs and jump into my bed yelling “Mahovolitch, he scores!!!”  He and mom had 50 yard line season tickets for the Riders games for several years.  After they won the Grey Cup in 1960 dad took me to the victory luncheon.  I can still remember seeing Russ Jackson. Ronny Stewart, Kay Vaughn and all the big stars at that event.  He wasn’t much of a church goer though.  His first love on Sundays being the golf course.

In 1964

In 1965 he bought a used Acadian Beaumont, a G.M. vehicle in its first model year.  Prior to that we had had a 1956 or 57 Buick and earlier a 1953 Ford which caused us lot’s of car trouble.

We were a happy middle class family with a stay at home mom and a rarely at home father.  Then Dad got ill.  Initially they sent him to a chiropractor to deal with the pain he had in his hip and lower back.  It was cancer and they had misdiagnosed it.  He did get radiation therapy eventually but it was not as advanced in those days and it was too late.  In 1965 at the tender age of 44 he passed away.  We were all devastated.  But, thanks to mom’s hard work, we survived.

His death notice and obituary.

 

In it’s 1965 year end bulletin, the Rivermead Golf Club members had this to say about him:

“That was sad, the passing of our friend, Alf Morgan…and only 44.  Our deepest sympathy to his nice little wife and children – what a shock.  Alf loved golf and, when he was hitting them and had a nice fat cigar in his mouth, everything was singing.  It was nice to have known a friendly chap like Alf.  There are too many sour-pusses in the world.”

I still do miss you dad after all these years.  Dad was a fun loving guy and it rubbed off on me – the love of golf too.  We were so happy to have known you and to have seen that you had a lot of fun.  I know you are still playing golf somewhere really great on Sunday mornings! And curling too!

 

With love.

Your son David

Here is a link to the Ward/Finnie family tree I have been able to build so far.  There is much more recent data to add, but it’s a start.  I will be updating it as time permits.

Let me know if you can see it OK or have any suggestions or questions.  Thanks for your interest.

Ciau,

David

http://www.WikiTree.com/treewidget/Morgan-8983/4

My mom.  This get’s a bit harder now to write.  Her death is more recent and I have such an abundance of material and personal memories to choose from…

Marie Ward (Feb 22, 1921 – Sept 13, 2011) was the first child of Sydney and Mary Ward.  Her brother Charles was born a year later and Sydney (Bud) 6 years later, all in Montreal. She was baptized on April 14 at Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Verdun.

Mary Ward circa 1935

In 1921 Canada’s population was 8,787,949, a litre of gas cost $0.08, William Lyon Mackenzie King becomes Prime Minister and the Ottawa Senators beat Vancouver in the Stanley Cup (yea!).  Rocket Richard was born this year and it is also George Washington’s birthday.

She was a happy child it seems.  She had two younger brothers to care for and loving parents. They had a black terrier called Tarbush. Notre Dame de Grace was a growing English suburb of Montreal to live in.  She had lot’s of friends.  She went to a local grade school and Kensington First Presbyterian Church.  The family would sit around the radio at night listening to Buster Keaton.  On Sunday, Pop would take them all for a drive and then it would be roast beef for dinner.
Her Ward grandparents were frequent visitors and she must have gone to their place often too. Not sure about where Grandma Finnie lived then, but I am sure she was in young Mary’s life too.

Appears to be Mary and Charles circa 1927 around the time Bud was born.

Circa 1929

Life was not always perfect though. One day Mary did a handstand in the living room, toppled over and put her feet through the lampshade!  Her parents were furious! She spent Christmas 1928 in the hospital recovering from treatment for Ménière`s disease, an inner ear disorder that causes vertigo. In 1937 she had been selected at school to go to the Coronation of George VI in London: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_King_George_VI_and_Queen_Elizabeth
When she told Pop, he felt Charles should go instead, not her.  Charles went and she didn’t.  She must have felt deflated and hurt over this.  During summer the family would usually go to Cape Cod (Mrs. Crotchet’s Cottages, Pine Lodge on the Ottawa R. near Bristol, PQ or to the Laurentians for a family vacation.

Mary circa 1937

In June 1938 she graduated with her Eleventh Year Certificate in the Academic and General stream from West Hill High School.  In 1939 she was a chorus member in the school production of The Pirates of Penzance and received her Twelfth Year Certificate   However, she had to go to summer school that year to upgrade her math to passing grade.  She then spent one year in Arts at McGill. She had always been interested in art – painting.  At that point I believe she contemplated a career as a commercial artist and enrolled in art school for 6 months.  I have paintings dated from 1939 an earlier as well as oodles of sketch books and raw unfinished paintings if anyone is interested. Not exactly sure what happened but she subsequently decided on a career in nursing.  It may be that she was merely waiting to get into the school in April 1940.  In Feb 1943 she graduated from the Montreal General Hospital winning the Webster prize for the highest aggregate standing in Special Services over three years.  In April she passed fifth out of 120 in the her R.N. exam for the Province of Quebec.

Mary, 2nd last row, 5th from right

Nurse Mary

At Cafe Esquire with Al Davis RNCVR and friends Sept 1942

After working as an R.N. in the MGH’s OR, she joined the Navy in May 1944.  The war years brought turmoil, adventure, love and tragedy – and lot’s of great parties.  Mary was sent to Shelburne, NS to work in the naval hospital tending to the wounded. It was while there that she met Alfred Morgan, RCNR (my dad) who was stationed at Fort Pepperrel in St. John’s, Nfld. in Signals.  Not sure how or where they met, likely at one of those great parties.  Mom was also dating an Al Davis.  She received a post card one day saying “See you on Saturday……A.”  She did not know if it was Alfred or Alan and was of afraid to mention it to either one in case it was the other A. LOL!  I forget which A it was but my vote is for Alf.  I remember her telling me how great the parties were!!  On the other hand, she had a scrap book of newspaper clippings about many friends who never came back from the war.

Official Opening of RCN Hospital HMCS Shelburne April 1945 (Mary 3rd from right)

Alfred David Morgan circa 1944

She married Alfred of Ottawa on December 29, 1945 at Kensington Presbyterian Church in Montreal.  Margaret Dewar was Maid of Honour and Howard Jones, Best Man.  They went to NYC for their honeymoon at the Waldorf -Astoria Hotel (I think).  They then moved to Toronto so Alf could study law at Osgoode Hall.  Mary worked as a store nurse for Simpson’s and possibly as a stenographer to pay the bills.  They lived at 142 Wellesley St. E., Apt. 59.  After graduation and articling they moved to Ottawa where Alf got a job with the Bank of Canada. The Division he worked for closed down shortly after but he got a job with the Ottawa Legal Department through Don Diplock a buddy from McGill.

Left to right, Rev., Sydney, Grandma Morgan, Burt Morgan, Margaret Dewar, Howard Jones, Charles, Mary, Alfred, Nana, Bud, Rev. Grandpa Morgan

Marries Alfred Morgan, Montreal 1945

David Ward Morgan is born April 23, 1950 when they lived on Mayfair Ave in Ottawa.  Kimberley Anne is born on November 8, 1953 after they had moved further west in town to 905 Mountainview Ave., in spring of 1952:

David and Mary Sept 1950

Mary, Kim and David, 1954

In 1952, they had a modest bungalow built at 905 Mountain View Ave in Ottawa’s growing west end.
I can remember it well.  Mary was the proverbial stay at home mother and we were well cared for by her and dad.

Growing Family

In 1958, we all moved to a new house built especially for us at 2300 Georgina Dr. on a section of our sub-divided lot around the corner. In 1963, our house and Mom were the subject of an article in the Ottawa Journal Your Home weekend section.  It was quite a splash.  Mom had apparently planned the layout (split level with 3 bedrooms), did all the painting and wall papering, filled it with paintings and proudly showed it all off. Kim and I got to revisit the house when it was up for sale in about 2007.  It still looked great.  Below, 2300 Georgina Dr., Oct 1957.

Mom in the 2300 Georgina Dr. Exposé (I still have the painting over the fireplace and the table next to the TV)

Below, view out back of 2300 Georgina Drive, May 1959.

Mary was a founding member of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church.    The church started off in D. Roy Kennedy Public School in 1955 with a dozen families and 20 children in Sunday School.  In 1958 Rev Bill Duffy takes over and energizes the congregation.  On Jan 6 1960, they opened their own church building next door to the school.  The construction costs were $115,000 and made used of evolutionary double T-bar pre-cast concrete beams so that there was no need for view obstructing columns inside.  I remember Mom teaching Sunday school and bringing the collection home to be counted for years.  She later worked as the church secretary, became a Trustee and wrote a history of the church in 1996.  In 2002 they added a second floor for increased Sunday school use purposes. She stayed in touch with the Duffys after they moved to Kingston in 1977 and later retired.  She was an avid “weight watcher” and attended slim and trim classes over many years.

Tragically Alfred died of cancer at age 44 in 1965.  We were all devastated.  Mary had to learn to live alone again, get a real paying job and get her driving license.  She left her church secretary job and went to Ottawa Teachers College in Sept 1966.  One year later on May 1967 she signed a contract to teach Home Economics for the Ottawa School Board being paid $4500 per year on probation. She taught full time at W.E Gowling School for 3 years while continuing to upgrade her skills during summers in Toronto.  She loved home economics but I remember her telling me that some of the students didn’t, making her life difficult.  We survived.

On August 22, 1970 she married Howard Jackson Darling, a widower a few years her senior.  Howard had 3 teenagers at the time: Alan (18), Francie (16) and Kevin (13).  Kim (17) was in grade 12 and I (20) was at U of Waterloo. They went to B.C and California on honeymoon.  Returning they each sold their family houses and all moved into 2130 Strathmore Blvd. in Ottawa’s west end.  Mom sold 2300 Georgina Dr. for $32,500 which had been originally mortgaged for $13,200 in December 1961.  Howard was a highly educated man having graduated from U of Toronto in 1936 with a B.Comm.. He was a consultant in transportation economics having just left the Federal Gov. Department of Transport.  Mom reduced her teaching to one day a week to look after the blended family.

(Photo to come)

Christmas 1971 was the first modern Ward family reunion with the Darlings, Claudia, Susan, Alison, Francia, Bud, Joan, Alan, Anne, Nana, Joan and Mrs Vincent all coming to Ottawa.  In 1972, Uncle Ed brought Nana to Ottawa and regaled everyone with family stories. It was a hectic time taking care of all those teenage kids!  Mary and Howard traveled extensively to Europe, the United states and all over Canada to help keep their spirits high.

Right to left: Sydney (Uncle Bud) Ward, Susan Ward, Joan Vincent (Aunt Joan) Ward, Alan Ward, Kim Morgan (Darling), Mary Ward Darling, David Morgan (Darling), Claudia Ward, Mary (Nana) Ward, Howard Jackson Darling, Anne Ward, Mrs. Vincent (Joan’s mother), Kevin Darling, Alison Ward, (missing Francine Darling, Allan Darling who likely took photo)

Retake with Alan Darling in upper left and Aunt Francis Ward 2nd from right.

With Howard circa 1975 Vancouver

Unfortunately Howard died suddenly too, in his case of a heart attack in February 1977.  Mary’s life was thrust into turmoil again.  However being the strong woman she had become, she recovered, sold the Stathmore Blvd house and moved into state of the art Ambleside Drive apartment2011 on the 20th floor overlooking the Ottawa R..  There she spent some 20 happy productive years.

1970s

View from 2011-1171 Ambleside Dr.

Mary became President of the Ottawa Civic Hospital Auxiliary in 1982  That year their Million Dollar Fund went over the top and there were more than 1000 volunteers!  Main Street, a unique concept for a shopping mall situated in a hospital, was opened in Nov 1983. Mayor Marion Dewar gave the ceremonial opening remarks and Mom gave the closing ones. The money needed to construct and equip it had been raised by the Auxiliary and Foundation through fundraisers such as Rich Little and Frank Sinatra coming to town and activities below.  She received a warm letter of congratulations and appreciation from Peter Carruthers, President. He stated that in completing the $1 million pledge and opening s hopping mall in a hospital, they had done what no other Auxiliary had done to his knowledge in Canada or the U.S..

Fundraising in 1981

Heavy Hitter Benefit Concert

She was also a volunteer art instructor for the Ottawa Handicapped Association for many years, helped the Alzheimer Association and in 1963 was residential district team leader for the Community Chest, precursor of the Ottawa United Way.

Receiving an Award 1984

Easter Celebration with friend Mary Campbell 1990s

She hosted a Canadian Family Get Together reunion in Ottawa July 1995 at which there was sight seeing on the Hill, some golf I think, whitewater rafting and a famous 3 foot long sub-sandwich picnic.  Hosted a Leap Year Tea in 2004 for Ottawa area family.  Caroline and Steve hosted a great family reunion in Reno, NV in June 2000. Claudia and Aunt Francis did the same on Vancouver Island in 2005.  However, Mary was not as mobile as she used to be and was unable to attend.
But she had continued to travel in the 1980s and 90s.

At Anne Ward and Dan Surette s wedding 1991

On Alaskan Cruise

In 2000 she was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She had surgery and was able to return to a normal life.  It did take a toll on her though. She sold Ambleside Dr. for $167k in August 2002 after having moved into the Stillwater Creek Retirement Home.  There she spent 10 happy years leading the spelling bee, current events and duplicate bridge club.  She welcomed the family many times to dinners and special events.  Sadly she passed away in 2011 at age 90 of cancer that was perhaps related to her earlier battle with it.  Many tributes poured in at her funeral at St. Paul’s.  She is interred with Alf in Pinecrest Cemetery.  She was never a burden and carried herself proudly to the end.  Thank you Mom for all your love and all your example for us over so many many years

90th Birthday

Final Celebration

Left to right Kyle Morgan, Marie Morgan, David Morgan, Kim Morgan Henderson, Nicholas Henderson, Cindy, Allan Darling, Kevin Darling, Cyndy Darling, Michelle Moore Farncombe, Ann Ward Surette, Rev. , Fr Jack Lau, OMI

My maternal grandmother.  Born Jan 23, 1898, Broxburn or Brockburn, Scotland.  Parents Elizabeth Bell Finnie and William Finnie (oil worker on ships). Siblings: George (oldest), Elizabeth, Alex, (Mary) and Bill (youngest).  We called her “Nana”.  As you can see she was very beautiful.

Mary Ward nee Finnie circa 1918

She came to Canada as a child in 1907 or 1908 at the age of 10 and her father died a year or so afterwards. Her mother Elizabeth had to bring up 5 children with no social agency help in those days.  Mary’s childhood in Montreal must have been tough.  As a result she grew up to be self-reliant and concerned about others.  She became a loving wife, a diligent worker for the church and for the Red Cross (she knit constantly) and was a volunteer at the Catherine Booth Hospital a few blocks west of Cavendish Blvd..  This hospital opened in 1925 as a maternity hospital named after the wife if the founder of the Salvation Army.  Her Canada Social Insurance No. was 218-260-115.

Syd, Mary, Sam (Syd’s brother and and his wife) on an outing circa 1920.

Together with Sydney, 13 years her senior, they had 3 children Mary (my mother)(1921-2011), Charles (C.K.)(1922-1969) and Sydney (Bud) 1927-2008?).  It seems that had a good family life.  Syd had solid employment and advanced through the ranks at Canada Paint for 52 years.  Seems Mary met her husband to be there when she worked as a secretary.  As a family they would travel to the Laurentians, Cape Cod and Pine Lodge near Bristol, PQ for summer get aways.

Sydney and Mary Ward with Charles, Bud and Mary, July 1928, Beaconsfield Ave., Montreal

She attended Knox Crescent Kensington and First Presbyterian Church, 6225 Godfrey Ave. Montreal.  Was active in various church activities.  Here is a link to a brief history of this church: http://presbyterianrecord.ca/2011/06/01/knox-crescent-kensington-and-first/  I guess it is safe to say that Mary’s mother Elizabeth was a women of faith and brought Mary into the Presbyterian faith.  However it is quite possible her dad William was involved in this too.  Below, Tarbush the Ward family dog:

Her passport issued in 1949, says she was 5 ft., 8.5 in. tall, grey eyes and brown hair.  She went on a 2 week trip to Scotland, England and France, with husband Sydney who she called Pop.  Here is her passport photo:

I have a copy of a lovely letter (see excerpt below) she wrote my mom while on this trip in May 1949.  She says she was thrilled to see a Highland parade in Glasgow, Queen Mary in the window at Marlborough House and Henry VIII busts, all seven wives and other royalty on display everywhere they went.  Pop being of Irish heritage remarked he wouldn’t give a nickel for any of them lol!  She really loved the sea voyage!

She and Pop were shrewd investors.  Nana held a slew of blue chip and penny stock shares upon her death.  Below, 3429 Beaconsfield Ave c. 1940:

After Pop died in 1954, she sold the house and moved to 6815 Sherbrooke Street West, apartment 7 and lived there for 20 years.  She used to go to Thistle Manor, in Rawdon, PQ for many summer visits with her friend Mrs. Finlayson (Aunt Joan Ward’s mother).  Then she moved to the Griffith-McConnell Residence, 5790 Parkhaven Avenue for about 20 years.  Her will of 1969 lists son Sydney Harold Ward (my Uncle Bud) of 9 Steeple Top Road, Roayton (sic), Conn. and Mary Ward now Mrs. A.D. Morgan (mom) as joint executors as well as joint heirs along with C.K.  In an earlier will dated 1949, son Charles Kenneth (C.K.) had been designated executor in the event her husband Syd predeceased her.  C.K. unfortunately died in a car accident in 1969 which left everyone heartbroken.  Below, with son Charles c. 1944-45

On January 28, 1975 she authorized my mom Mary to be her Power of Attorney.  She suffered a series of mini-strokes in the early 80’s.  Mom brought her to Ottawa for her last 5 years. We  celebrated her 90th birthday here.  A week later she took a fall and broke a hip.  She survived the surgery but had heart failure on the third day.  I was there with mom when she drew her last breath.  Below, her 90th birthday celebration:

“Ward, Mary. In Ottawa, February 5, 1988, Mary Finnie, ninety, widow of the late Sydney M. Ward. Much loved mother of Mary Darling, Ottawa. S.H. Bud Rowayton (wife Joan), Conn. and the late Charles K. (widow Francis, London, England.  Dearest nana of eight grand-children: David and Kim, Ottawa; Claudia, Edmonton; Susan, London; Alison, N.Y.C.; Caroline Arizona; Alan, Conn.; and Anne, Kingston.  Also survived by eight great grandchildren: Louise, Connor, Margot, Claire, Nicholas, Kyle, Miranda and Charles.  Interment Mount Royal Cemetery in April.”

I remember the interment ceremony.  We all went down to Montreal by car.  It was a solemn ceremony.  Later we went to Ruby Foos for some great Chinese food to lift our spirits.

My earliest recollection of her is when I went to visit in the 1950s on Beaconsfield Ave.  I locked her out of the house when it was raining and danced around laughing as she tried to get back in.  Nasty!  Another time I took her mix master apart and that was the end of that machine.   Despite my shenanigans, she was a very loving grandmother to me, always with a twinkle in her eye.  I remember visiting her many times on Sherbrooke St. W.  I loved the park across the street and playing on the swings.  I was fascinated by the pedestrian tunnel under the street.  I can still smell the musty smell of her apartment building when you opened the front door after being buzzed in.  Her apartment was fascinating to me with all those china dogs.  The chime of the clock, that gas stove, the sounds of the traffic, the secret door down the fire escape were all amazing.

Every Christmas and birthday, she would send me a small cheque.  I remember writing letters of thanks every year which would simply say” Thank you for the money.  I put it in the bank.”

In 1973 I was working briefly in Montreal.  She invited me and 3 of my university buddies for dinner.  Well we ate at a card table in the living room.  When we finished I remember each of us saying to ourselves that we were still hungry after she had returned to the kitchen.  She was so sweet to invite us!  My most memorable time was on our way downtown one day in Montreal with her and my Mom.  I was about to get out of the car to go exploring and meet them later.  As I was getting out she halted me with “David, David!  “Yes Nana” I replied.  “Old age is for the birds!!” she exclaimed.  I thought about this for years and still do.  There were many other visits when I would take the bus downtown.  I was always fascinated by the way the driver would call out “Hatwaater” when we reached Atwater Ave.  Those were the days!

Later mom and I would drive to Montreal to visit her in the Griffith-McConnell home.  It was in the middle of Cote St. Luc.  In January everyone, I mean everyone would be wearing a fur coat. Very unusual I thought.  Although she had a 6 figure estate, one day when we there, she asked Mom if she could still afford the newspaper that was being delivered to her room daily.

After she came to Ottawa in about 1978, we saw her often.  There was amble time for son Kyle and step-daughter Michelle to get to know her.  We have several good photos together.  It was indeed a loss to loose her in 1988.  Of all my grandparents, she was the only one I ever spent time with and knew.  Thank you Nana for being there for me when I needed you.  You are still in all our thoughts and dreams.

Mary with daughter Mary circa 1938

From Claudia:

About 1945

Nana with grandson David (me) circa 1950

Mary with daughter Mary circa 1922

Mary with Charles circa 1922

Mary at the cottage

Winter scene with Charlie and Mary

With the car

Ward family circa 1930

With son Sydney (Bud) circa 1929

With Grandson Kyle 1985

With Kyle, Nicholas and Michelle

Nana’s 90th Birthday

Headstone in Montreal

Intermerment

My maternal grandfather.   Born Oct 24, 1885 Montreal.  (St. Martin’s Church of England Montreal records). Parents Samuel Henderson Ward (died Sept 22, 1938 at age 92) and Jane Frances Hawkins Maxwell from Armagh, Northern Ireland.  Sydney had five brothers Sam, Charles, Frank, Gordon and Eddie.  He had one sister Ann Edith Ward who never married.

I guess the photos above were taken in about 1920 when Syd was 35 or so.

He worked for the Canada Paint Co. for many years.  I understand that he met his bride Mary Finnie there who was a secretary perhaps his, starting around 1917-18.  They were married shortly after, he being 13 years her senior did very well!  He and Mary had three children Mary (1921-2011 my mother), Charles Kenneth (C.K. 1923-1969) and Sydney Harold (Bud 1926-2008??).

They lived at 57 King Edward Ave in Montreal for a number of years.  He purchased 3429 (formerly 315) Beaconsfield Avenue in Montreal on April 29, 1929 from a Owen Roberts taking out a mortgage of $6000.  Dame Mary Finnie eventually sells the 3429 Beaconsfield property for $15,500 to Miss Agnes Stock on March 23, 1955.

He was a shrewd investor.  I found shares of a dozen penny mining companies and a chemical company in the files which I will check with my stockbroker about. (Subsequently these have all been deemed worthless lol.)  In 1923 he also lists owning 3 vacant lots in Laurentide Park fully paid for.  His estate was complicated with several life insurance policies and other blue chip stocks valued at $29k.

From Claudia:

Circa 1930

He was honoured for 25 years service with Canada Paint  with a luncheon at Queen’s Hotel Nov 5, 1927.  On Oct 14, 1952 he was again honoured with a dinner for 50 years service at the Windsor Hotel.  Here is the program inscription:

“Sydney M. Ward joined the Canada Paint Company in October 1902 as office boy.  In 1903 he was promoted to Invoice Clerk.  Then in 1904 he was made Pricing Clerk. His advancement to the position of Chief Clerk followed in 1905. Then in 1910 a new department was created, the Sales Promotion and Advertising Department, and he was transferred to it.  Later in 1912 he was assigned a Sales Territory.  Promotion followed quickly and in 1914 Mr. Ward was appointed Trade Sales Manager of the District of Fort William east to Nova Scotia.  In 1917, following the death of the General Manager, Mr H.W. Aird, Mr. Ward was requested to take over temporarily until a new appointment was made.  in 1918 when the company decided to enter the export field, Mr. Ward was given the assignment of opening up a new territory which included Bermuda, West Indies, British and Dutch Guiana, which he handled very successfully.  He continued as Sales Manager to District Manager and on the death of our late general manager Mr. J. H. Hawkins, August 1952, Mr Ward was requested to take over temporarily as Acting General Manager.”  A bit bizarre because his mom was Jane Frances Hawkins Maxwell Ward.

At age 52 he was declared a Life Member of Westmount Masonic Lodge No. 76 on Feb 14, 1938.  Hence he must have been a member for at least 30 years prior.

Dies at age 69 in September 1954.  “A funeral service was held this afternoon in the chapel of Jos. C. Wray and Bro. Mountain Street, for Sydney M. Ward, former district manager of the Canada Paint Compnay Limited, who died at the Montreal General Hospital.  He was 69.  Mr. Ward served 52 years with the company, where he started as office boy in 1902.  He advanced through the order department, sales territory and sales management to the post of district manager he held at the time of his death.  He is survived by his widow, the former Mary Finnie, a daughter Mary, and two sons Charles and Sydney, a sister and five brothers.  Burial will be in Mount Royal Cemetery.

There are several letters of tribute from Canada Paint on hand.  In one a D.A. Whittaker thanks his widow Mary Ward for all Syd’s dedicated service.  He explains that $4,500 in owed salary and commission as well as an additional sympathetic allowance of $3,500 will be paid to the estate shortly.  Apparently, as he explains there was no ongoing survivor pension benefit paid in those days.
The letter mentions discussing this with C.K. and that C.K. is heading off to Central America.

I likely met him when I was 3 years old in 1953.  Mom shipped me off to stay with them when Kim was born in 1953.  I cannot recall anything other than one standing joke mom would tell.  Everyone was heading out the door for an event and no Pop.  Mary called out “Pop what are you doing?”  A grunt like voice emerged from the bathroom “Oh nothing.”  Mom also mentioned that she had been selected to go to London for the Royal Jubilee celebration in the 1930s sometime.  Syd overruled and decided to send C.K. her younger brother.  Not sure why but Mom was not pleased at the time.

Sydney was obviously a very successful man with lot’s of friends, family and business connections.  Makes me think we are blessed to be descended from him.  His spirit lives on in us for sure.

Some pics:

Sydney in 1952

Syd and at least one brother and friends at the lake, note the ties!

Same gathering.  Perhaps they were all Masons? Flower pot on centre persons head!

Sydney and daughter Mary (my mom circa 1921)

Syd at beach with mom wearing coat and tie

Sydney, Mary, Mary and Charlie circa 1925-26

With Mary and Charlie circa 1927