‘Together we look after one another’
and eventually sold the company.
They moved to Alberta in 1998 and bought a farm. Gary farmed and drove truck on the side for the next 15 years. May worked as the cook at the Husky Truck stop.
Life was good when suddenly Gary suffered a stroke in 2013. They were forced to sell everything and move back to Prince George.
Gary said, “I had three strokes and a serious heart attack and I was forced into retirement. I had a hard time coping with that. I spent many months in a wheel chair until I progressed to a cane. I hated being dependent upon a cane so I started giving them away to people I met that I felt needed a cane more than I did. May just went out and bought me another one.
“I am still recovering and with the help of May I am getting along quite well. Without the help of May’s strong and steady arm I would be in deep trouble. Together we look after one another. I am not about to give up because I still want to take May out dancing.”
May said, “I run the snow blower now because I have the legs and Gary manages the snow removal process from his chair. He is the coach and keeps all the equipment in good running condition.
“I gave Gary a dog for Christmas and now Daisy is his best friend and his constant companion. That gift has turned out to be great therapy for both of us.
“Before this pandemic we would regularly attend the Old Time Fiddlers jam sessions on Thursday night and the bimonthly dances at the Brunswick Street senior centre.
“We just want to take this opportunity to thank our many friends for including us and for giving us a dance now and then even though they know Gary’s agility is limited due to his stroke. We love you for always greeting us at the dance when we walk in and extending us a hand in friendship. You have no idea what that does for both of us. We are both anxious to get back to our dancing.
“If it wasn’t for our family and friends, our life would be pretty empty. Friends like John Broderick and all the other Old Time Fiddlers as well as Angie, Jean, Marie and Henry and everyone else at the Brunswick Street senior centre. We miss seeing all of you.”