Individual Notes
Note for: CATHERINE ELLEN BIRCH, 6 OCT 1950 -
Index
Baptism: Date: OCT 1950
Place: St.Peter's Cathedral, Peterborough, On.
Occupation: Shoppers Customer Service
Individual Note: Cath has worked in the customer service retail business for over 12 years in a supervisory capacity. Her husband retired in 1997 from Bell Canada and according to the accountant, Cath is required to work until the age of 65 in order to keep her husband within the life style that he has been accustomed.
STORY OF A FAMILY HEIRLOOM - PIANO
Heintzman & Co. Piano
Dated March 10, 1896
Purchased by James Edward Ryan for Catherine Jane Ryan [ Kathleen ] , born 1903
Kathleen joined the Order of Nuns early in life and this Piano stayed with the Ryan's in Tweed.
When Helena Mary Ryan's husband, Robert Maxwell Geraldi died in 1936, her father said that she would be moving to Lakefield with her brother Jack to work in a Steadman's Store. The Piano went with her. This house was beside the Birch home in Lakefield.
Helen eventually had her own home built, in Lakefield, and had planned to take the Piano with her - it would not fit in the small house. At this time the Piano was moved to her daughter's place in Peterborough (Jean Birch) on Herbert Street.
Jean's husband, Tom Birch, was transferred to Woodstock, Ontario in 1968 and the piano was moved to this location @ 322 Short Ave.
Tom & Jean moved again to London, Ontario and again this Piano made a trip to London for a couple of years. Tom retired from Silverwoods Dairy and took a job with Beatrice Foods in Simcoe, Ontario in 1978. Unfortunately, the piano would not fit into the home in Simcoe and was stored outside for a period of months. Jean & Tom's daughter, Catherine and her husband Richard picked up this piano and stored it for several years in Fonthill, Ontario. Richard moved his family to Saudi Arabia for 2 ½ years and at this time the Piano was moved to a restoration business in Wainfleet - totally refinished and finally moved back to Fonthill upon Richard and Catherines' return Saudi Arabia in 1986. As of January 3, 2008, the piano remains at 1 Valiant St., Fonthill, On.
In August 2019, Richard and Cathy moved a Condo in Fonthill and again the Piano could not make the move. A call was put out to the family to see if anyone wanted the Piano - No one could use this heirloom. The new owners of 1 Valiant Street in Fonthill had a daughter taking Piano lessons, so this heirloom was left for her.
Individual Notes
Note for: STEVEN JOSEPH HATT, 26 NOV 1970 -
Index
Occupation: Entourage Operations Manager
Individual Notes
Note for: STACEY JAYNE HATT, 7 AUG 1973 -
Index
Occupation: WalMart-Niagara Falls
Date: GREETER 1997
Individual Note: Stacey triumped over many hurdles during her young life and after Niagara College succeeded in finding work with Walmart in the Falls as a stocker. The night work however was not to her liking and she attained the position of a GREETER with Walmart and loved it. She got an apartment in Niagara Falls and learned to Bus it to work so Mom and dad would not have to drive her.
During her vacations, Stacey went on a trip each year with Mom, Dad and Grandpa and Grandma. Over the years, we all travelled to every state in the USA and every Province in Canada. These were Great trips with lots of memories to talk about.
Stacey met her partner Richard in 2022 - an individual that she went to school with in Welland. It looks like a partnership forever
Her partner Richard works in the tourist business in the Falls - and ensures that tourists enjoy the ride on the Hornblower each summer.
Individual Notes
Note for: JOHN MALCOLM HATT, 6 FEB 1912 - 14 JAN 1986
Index
Occupation: Clerk-Treasurer-Assessor, Farmer
Burial: Date: 18 JAN 1986
Place: Eastnor Cemetary, Lion's Head, On.,
Note: Section B Row 7
Individual Note: Mac attended elementary school at SS # 2, Eastnor [ Spry, On. - Graduated from Grade 8 in 1926 @ 14 years of age] After graduating, he worked as a farm hand on his fathers mixed 70 acre farm. Mac also operated his own farm (rented) for 1 year. He then operated a beef ring (butchering and slaughtering) business with his father in the Bruce Peninsula for 4 years. It was through this Beef Ring that Mac met Marie Vickers - introduced by Nina Johnston while he was delivering meat to the Johnson's. Marie was living with the Prescott's , in 1935. They were married in January, 1937, just after she turned 18 years of age. Mac was 25 years of age at this time.
( need info from Stokes Bay)
He subsequently moved his family to Toronto in 1941 and was employed at Anaconda American Brass Limited as a carpenter's helper. Factory type work (building boxes) was not his cup of tea and after 7 months in the factory and living at 102 7th., Street in New Toronto, he decided to join the war effort.
Mac enlisted in the Armed Forces in Toronto on July 6, 1942. His medical listed him as 5' 7 3/4 " with a weight factor of 138 1/2 LBS. On September 16th, 1942, he was assigned to Camp Borden and on October 22, 1942, posted to the 2nd Corp Tank Transporter Col of the RCASC. After the death of his infant daughter in January 1942, he was granted a 11 day leave and moved his family to Wiarton, Ontario. On July 22, 1943, Mac left for the War effort in Europe and on July 28th, 1943 disembarked in England. In June 22, 1944, he disembarked in France. Mac returned from the N.W.E to the UK January 2nd, 1946. Mac was discharged on March, 28, 1946 at 34 years of age. [ PTE.Hatt, B80539 , RCASC]. Mac's War Service Gratuity came to $759.29 minus a Ninth Victory Loan for the purchase of 3% bonds. He returned to Canada Febuary 6th, 1946 after 44 months of War Service - 14 months in Canada, 12 Months in the UK and 18 months in N.W.E.
Mac was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France & Germany Star ,the Defense Metal (CVSM and Clasp) and the War Metal 1939-45 - RCASC R Wing # 3 Coy.
When he returned from the War, he was employed at the Henry Wardrop Sawmill in Old Women's River. In 1947, Mac purchased a farm on Lot 19, Concession 3 in Spry, On. This 100 acre farm was formerly owned by Jim Hawes, before that Fred Hawes and before that Malcolm Malloy, who in 1877, cleared this land [ Eliza Veach Gibson's Grandfather ]. Malcolm Malloy lived on this land in 1880 and in 1883 he was pathfinder and fence Viewer. Mac availed himself of VLA loan assistance for Full Time Farming after the war.
As well as farming, he was the Clerk, Treasurer & Assessor for Eastnor Township from 1949 to 1967. At this time he became the Supervising Bruce County Assessor until ill health forced him to retire in 1972. Mac was well thought of as a clerk and an assessor for the Township of Eastnor. Mr. Finnigan, County Assessor said his books would always balance and very legible.
Mac was active in Legion work as Branch 202 Service Officer for a number of years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
His friend, Maroni Johnston, would visit him at Golden Dawn Senior's home in Lion's Head. One day Mac asked for a piece of paper, wrote on it and handed it back to him. It said, "You are my best friend". Maroni carried this note in his wallet until his death, often getting it out and reading it.