1959 - In Honour of Your 60th Birthday |
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When one is young and life is new Our dreams
unloaded fall and free, When gray streaks
in among the black, We walk the paths
of yesteryears |
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In the
year of 1899 just 60 years ago, Maurice, you sailed from
England, to cross the great Atlantic and make your home
in Canada. You knew nothing about this country to which
you were going, or what Canadian people were like.
Remember the stories that you heard about the Canadian
farmers bringing the English boys out here, and if they
did not like them the farmer just killed them. It was a
very frightened boy of 13, who arrived at the Hunt Home
60 years ago this month. You went upstairs to bed that
night not expecting to see daylight the next morning. You
were afraid to go to sleep. There was a visitor in the home that night. In another bedroom a girl about your age was as frightened as you were. Remember the little girl who thought you were going to kill her? Minnie Hunt. But the next day you were able to look around you with some interest. Remember Ella, the bouncing baby girl who was the centre of attraction in the home. Do you remember how she would come out to you in the field when she got mad at her mother in the house. Remember the day she ran away? After a while you became reconciled to farm life and settled down to an active routine. Do you remember the first white shirt that Maw Hunt (as you affectionately called her) made for you? Proudly you wore it to Sunday School and Church. Remember walking across the fields to Copetown in all kinds of weather, so you would have a perfect attendance at Sunday School? You learned the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as they should do unto you" and The Ten Commandments; thus a good start in life. Then on a fine September day, do you remember the puny little boy who joined the family circle? He was the constant care and worry of everyone for many months to come. But somehow Carlyle managed to stay alive in spite of everything. Remember when you were singing in the choir at Christie Church, his shrill voice rang out above the preachers. with "Hi Maurice", even though you were doing your best to hide behind some of the ladies in the choir. A few years later, on another September day, the family grew again. This time another girl. Sarah was another added chore. Do you remember the nightly singing of "The Dream Man", and her milking the cows with your ears and churning butter with your nose? You left the farm after a few years and went to Toronto to work. Remember the red rug you hooked? It was always under the organ or piano stool in Maw Hunts living-room. Later you went to Regina with the Y.M.C.A., and joined the Canadian Army in 1914 to serve your country overseas. After spending four years in the Army, you returned to the farm for a visit before returning to the west. Remember the trip you made east in 1921 to meet the girl you had fallen in love with while overseas. You came to the farm so the Hunt's could give her the once over, before going on to Winnipeg to be married. It was while you were working at the home in East Kildonan that your lovely daughter Peggy was born. Some years later you brought your family back to Toronto, and once again made that city your home. For many years your mail was addressed to 182 Howland Ave., but now you and Flo are very happy in your new apartment in Scarboro. You have four lovely Grandchildren and we know that you are both very proud of them. Peggy and Johnny, with their family are the joy of your lives. |
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You always came home
to the farm to visit the folks, and they always looked
forward to these visits. Remember the elderberry pie that
was always ready? Even though Maw and Dad Hunt are gone,
you always seem to enjoy coming back to Huntholm Farm
to visit with you foster brother and sisters; and never
cease to enjoy the quiet of the country or the elderberry
pie. We are happy to have you with us to-night, and wish for you and Flo, continued good health and that you will enjoy many more Canadian birthdays. |