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PAGE 14 TERRACE BAY NEWS AUGUST 10, 1972 Gray Farewell - cont'd from page 13 ........ If Jim had had a nickel for every message he handled he could have retired ten years ago! As a memento of his long career Frank presented Jim with a replica of a telegraph key, and, the black armbands and green visor, long associated with the trade. A.A. Boyar, C .P.R. Supt. was unable to be pres- ent but his commendation of Jim's record was read by Mrs. Gladys Hamilton: Jim entered the service in 1924 as call boy, worked as car checker and began his teleraphy and operating career at Gurney in 1926, working continuously until the drastic lay-off in 1931. He returned to duty in July, 1937, at Coldwell and in October that same year came to the Schreiber office where he remained until his early retirement, for medical reasons, on August 1 this year During earlier years Jim earned his proficiency the hard way 'working' all the offices, big and small Nipigon, Pays Plat, Gurney, Selim, Cavers, Jack- fish, Middleton, Steel, Heron Bay, White River, Peninsula (now Marathon) = an honourable record of 48 years' service with the C .P.R. Mr. Hamilton presented the CP Rail employees' gift to Jim. Reeve F.V. Harness presented the good wishes of the municipal council and fellow townsmen and a handsome easy chair for the new home, remarking that Jim, was one of two men in the room - Lester McCuaig, the other = who were born, grew up, and spent all their working years on the Schreiber division. On behalf of the local T.C .U., Divis. 7-which stretches from coast to coast Jim Armstrong presented a gift to Jim, with the personal congratulations of the General Chairman on his record. Gifts to Mrs. Gray were presented by Mrs. Myra Holmes, from the United Church Women; by Mrs. Georgina Davis, from the ladies auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 109; and by Mrs. Gladys Hamilton, from Ruby Rebekah Lodge, #279. Lester McCuaig spoke for retired trainmen, saying when Jim was on duty, there was never any delay for the men on the Road in reaching a despatcher. Retired despatcher, W.T. (Nim) Wallace, immed- iately had both honoured guests and the rest of the party in an uproar of laughter when he declared en- ough kudos had already been given to both Etta and Jim, so he was going to concentrate on some sound advice for Jim, as a newly-retired man-speaking with authority as one already in that position. Nim's advise was both explicit and colourful, covering a wide variety of subjects. | George Lengyel, said on his first day as an operator he'd watched Jim at work and thought despairingly | he's never be as deft and professional. But, he had been grateful, when in turn, he'd been able, to some degree, to help Jim's son, Bruce, following in his father's footsteps years later. Among the telegrams of good wishes especially appreciated were ones from former Schreiber division men - Harvey Carmichael of Cartier and R.T. (Coke) Campbell of Toronto office. Jim very sincerely expressed his and his wife's appreciation of the good wishes extended to them - by the office staff who's arranged the party and by fellow workers and old friends who's attended. Mr. McKenna then made a surprise announcement - the occasion was a doubly happy one - it was also the 30th wedding anniversary of Jim and Etta. Mrs. J.D. Bryson, then played the Sweetheart Waltz, with Jim and Etta taking the floor first, and joined by the crowd, changing partners, to dance with Jim and Etta. The evening was spent in dancing and ended with a smorgsbord lunch. Photo by I. McCuaig. Frank McKenna (left) presents gift to Jim Gray in foreground. Mrs. A.A. Boyar, left and Mrs. Gray at right. * * * Throughout Canada housewives and business women, as members of Canadian Red Cross Corps, volunteer their time and services to visit shut ins, to work at blood clinics, to help at Red Cross lodges, to transport wheel chair patients to and from hospitals year round. * * *