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THINGS FIRST Welcome Family History Personal History News BUSINESSES
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Welcome to my personal history page. Not being sure as to what would be appropriate to put on this page, I'll include some facts about my birth, youth, young adulthood, middle-age, and whatever I am now. As indicated elsewhere on this web site, I am a Canadian citizen living in the United States since my immigration in the year 1974. I was raised in North Toronto and attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. Growing up in Toronto was an absolute delight. It was, and is one of the cleanest, loveliest, and safest cities I've ever been in. Our neighborhood, in North Toronto was filled with some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Many of my childhood friends have kept in touch over the years to my great pleasure. My father was a police officer, who served 26 years and achieved the rank of Patrol Sergeant with the Metropolitan Toronto police. My mother was a Registered Nurse and actually met my father who was a patient of hers. Apparently in this situation, socialized medicine worked! I enjoyed school very much and had excellent teachers, many of whom went above and beyond the call of duty and truly nurtured each and every student. Not negating any of the efforts of any of my fine teachers I would probably have to say that Mr. Reesor my senior public English teacher was one of my more notable mentors. Many years back, after moving to California I tried to look him up to thank him personally, again, for all the wonderful things he taught me. Sadly Mrs. Reesor answered the phone and during our short conversation revealed to me that he had passed away some time back. Even from the grave Mr. Reesor had taught me one more lesson, as I now try to thank almost immediately anyone who has been a good influence in my life. We had a cottage located at Deanlea Beach in northern Ontario, located on Nottawasaga Bay, which is nested inside Georgian Bay. This lovely three-bedroom cottage was built by my parents, aunt and uncle, and grandparents. Every summer we would spend at least four to six weeks there and sometimes more. The cottage was located atop the second highest sand dune at Deanlea Beach. It had a lovely commanding view westward and afforded many glorious sunsets. My parents purchased a beautiful gaff rigged, cedar strip sailboat that was approximately 14 feet in length. It had a red and white striped sail. Much of my summer was spent sailing up-and-down Georgian Bay two points as far away as Christian Island, Lions Head, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and more. Many was the morning I would rise early, grab a quick breakfast and proceed to the beach were I would launch the sailboat, turn on a walkie-talkie, set the sail and drift gently off somewhere and wait for my father to either use the binoculars or telescope to find my sail out on the water. If he could not easily locate me I would give him the heading from the cottage, or tell him in which direction I had sailed out of sight via the walkie-talkie. For many years I attended Ontario Pioneer Camp. My mother and her sister also attended Pioneer when they were growing up. Pioneer Camp is located on Clearwater Lake near Port Sydney, Ontario. I have many fond memories of Pioneer Camp. My mother was the waterfront director there at the Junior Camp when I was very young and as I became old enough to attend the Boys Camp she chose to take those summers off and remain in the city so she could spend some time with my father. My sister also attended Pioneer Camp and that she got a little older she also attended the Girls Camp located at the far end of the lake. My parents would visit often, and I honestly don't think there was a day or two that went by that I did not receive a letter from both my parents. High school was almost a complete blur. There was so much going on socially and sports wise, I'm surprised I made it to any of my classes. Hockey, skiing, sailing, swimming, and dating were my majors. Actually I was an Arts and Science major. While I got decent grades, I excelled at art, history and English. In 1974, our entire family moved to the United States. We settled in Southern California near my grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousins. It was grand having family so close after so many years. My grandparents on my mother's side had retired many years back and followed my aunt to California. My aunt had married an American she had met while nursing in California. Pat and Frank my aunt and uncle had for years hosted our visits to California where we all follow in love with the climate. In 1982, I was married. By 1985 I was divorced. We had no children, so parting ways was made somewhat easier. Anyway the less said about that the better. The years passed by and I dated several lovely women but when I got around to thinking about marriage again that was pretty much all I did, think about it. Anyway the years have rolled by and sadly now, Pat, and very recently Frank have both passed on. They were both preceded by many years by my mother's parents, I think that Pat and Frank’s greatest achievements (amongst many) are there four lovely children. My father passed away in February of 2000. He was, and will always be my hero. His passing fairly took the wind out of my sails. Thankfully my mother is still in good health and is very active in the church. She still has a membership to a local sports club, and uses the facilities often. I think that somebody has forgotten to tell her that she is a grandmother and is in her 70s and might consider slowing down a bit. Either way, I'm happy that she's healthy and in good spirits and I hope it stays that way for many years to come. I have recently moved to northern California, to a location which is within striking distance of both San Francisco Bay and Yosemite Park. There are eight horses in the backyard (my new buddies), coyotes that bark in the distance at night, great open sky views. It is quite a contrast to my life at the beach down in Orange County. I while away the hours on my computer these days, creating graphics, web design, penning a few thoughts and stories, fussing with my music every now and then fencing (yes with swords) whenever I am able. I am slowly getting used to life here in Northern California, and am opening a few small businesses. And that is pretty much that.
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