Timeline

The timeline of important dates, as I know them, reaching quite a way back. If you’ve been following these missives from the beginning, these dates will correct any mistakes I’ve made. I’ve skipped around some, so this will place them in perspective. I’ll take it to about where I am in my memories and recollections. After that there'd be spoilers, and we can’t have that.

Robert Patterson Murray (Bob), my Nanny’s (Hilda) father, was born in Greenock, Scotland on Oct. 21^st, 1878. Bob was a fire marshal for Eaton’s in Toronto.

Joseph Meclea Gauthier, my Poppa, was born in Quebec on Sept. 23, 1897. Mec had 3 siblings that I know of: Fernando (no kidding; Mec’s elder brother, also a pharmacist) of Matheson, Anita (Mrs. G. Bradshaw) of Kenora, and Cleo (who’d served in WW2 in the RCAF, was shot down, requiring a plate in his head).

1880, Susan, Hilda’s mother, was born in Toronto.

Approx. 1900. Bob and Susan were married.

1902. my namesake, David George Murray, my Nanny’s brother was born in Toronto. David was a telegraph operator for the Canadian National Telegraph, and then the Toronto Star, rising to supervisor.

1903, my Grandfather (Grampa), Jules Auguste, was born in Herstal, Belgium.

1905, my Nanny, Hilda was born in Toronto.

1907, Jules immigrated to Canada.

1908, Blanch Valarie Blondeau, my Grandmother (Gramma) was born, in Fillhilla, Saskatchewan, of Joseph and Valerie (nee Hamelin), of Labret, Sask., and Fort Range, Manitoba, respectively.

1909, Marion, Hilda’s sister was born.

1916, Bob Murray enlisted in the army, as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 170th Battalion. Service #681074. He went on to fight at Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, etc. He was never injured as far as I know.

Approx. 1919, Bob and Susan divorced. There’s a lengthy story to this. Maybe I’ll tell it later on. Susan took in boarders to make ends meet.

Approx. 1924, Mec and Hilda met at Susan’s boarding house.

1925, Mec and Hilda married.

Approx. 1926, Jules and Blanche met at a cotillion, in Saskatchewan.

1926, Mec and Hilda moved north to Matheson.

Approx. 1926, Jules and Blanche were married. They moved to Timmins, Ontario along with my mother’s sisters, Angel, and Marie (and her husband Frank). Jules and Frank worked for the MacIntyre mine.

1928, Mec and Hilda moved to Cochrane, opening his drug store.

1928, Aunt Lorraine, Jules and Blanches’ eldest was born.

1930, Uncle Laverne, J&B’s 2^nd was born. (Don Tishler, of Detroit)

1932, Uncle Ronny (Ronald), J&B’s 3^rd was born. (Denise)

1935, Uncle Jerry (Jerome), J&B’s 4^th was born. (Hazel, then Beverly)

1936, Edgar, my father, J&B’s 5^th was born in Timmins. (Marlene)

1937, Marlene, my mother was born in Kirkland Lake, and was soon adopted by my grandparents.

1945, Uncle Derik, J&B’s 6^th was born. (Larry)

Sometime in the late 40s or very early 50s, Jules and Blanche moved to Cochrane, where Jules worked for CN until his retirement in the 60s.

1947, Susan, my Great-grandmother passed away.

1952, Bob, my great-grandfather passed away, while at a Leafs game. He used to usher the games, as far back as when they were the St. Pats.

1956, my parents were married.

1958, Great Uncle David died, from a heart attack, at work.

1963, Karen, my sister was born.

1963, Mec retired.

1964, I was born in Ottawa, and am adopted by Ed and Marlene.

1969, I began Kindergarten, and promptly lost my mitts after Christmas.

1970, we moved from Cochrane to Timmins. I began Grade 1 at Pinecrest School.

1972, Mec passed away. 74 years old

1972, I was held back in Grade 2.

1973, my Aunt Hazel passed away, from Cancer.

1977, I left Pinecrest and entered St.Theresa. Karen entered R. Ross Beattie.

1977, Uncle Ronny passed away, from a heart attack. 44yrs

Cookie, my first dog (corgi) died, and Piper (West Highland White Terrier) joined our family. We traveled to London, where we met and adopted her.

1979, I graduated from St. Theresa, and entered O’Gorman High School.

1980, Grandpa died, from a stroke. 77 years old