Niagara couple receive Cadillac for 50th wedding anniversary
It was a dream come true gift for David and Sandra Jugoon, a St. Catharines couple who on the weekend celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Niagara Falls resident Peter Jugoon and his wife, Susan, bought their parents a 2021 Cadillac XT4 Sport SUV to recognize the special occasion.
David and Sandra received the keys to their new vehicle by sales representative Vince Sasso at Falls Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC on Thorold Stone Road in Niagara Falls Saturday morning.
“It was definitely a surprise,” said David.
“I was crying,” added Sandra. “It hasn’t soaked in that it’s happening.”
Peter said his father is “super loyal” to General Motors, a company his dad worked for, noting GM provided the opportunity for his father to financially take care of his family for more than 30 years.
David said he only drives GM vehicles, but never thought he would ever own a Cadillac.
“I couldn’t see that coming. I drive a nice vehicle, but not a Cadillac — the name says it all.”
Peter said the vehicle idea came from Susan, who suggested it would “blow their mind.”
David and Sandra were married on Jan. 31, 1971. They emigrated from Trinidad and Tobago in 1971 to Toronto, living there for five years before moving to Niagara.
“They came to Canada as a newly married couple with no money to their name,” said Peter. “They worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken and slowly worked up to management.”
After moving to Niagara, David got a job at GM on Glendale Avenue in St. Catharines and worked there for 30 years before retiring.
Sandra worked at a Howard Johnson’s in St. Catharines and several other restaurants over the years.
“Over the 50-year period they purchased a few rental properties in Niagara Falls and worked hard to renovate them and build their retirement plans,” said Peter.
“My parents are people that are always giving to others. I grew up that way, and they taught me to be that way — it’s better to give than to receive. This, for me, is an opportunity to give something back to them.”
Susan said she was “moved to tears” seeing how David and Sandra reacted to the anniversary gift.
“I was so happy for them. They’re very kind, loving, wonderful people — down-to-earth, salt-of-the-earth people.”