Back in the summer of 1972, I was working as the Regional Director for Provigo covering La Mauricie region in Trois-Rivières. It was then I was transferred to Provigo’s head office at 600 Dorchester in downtown Montreal, where I was promoted to Vice-President of Marketing.

At that time, most of the area around our home at 480 Montrose was still either forest, or part of the Fresh Meadows golf course. It was an 18-hole public course back then! I met with the builder from Monarch construction and we went over the plans for this new house. I knew it was a solid home and I liked that it was relatively close to the train station which allowed me to easily commute to work downtown. 

My wife Rejeane loved the garden. I remember during the summer months, she would be outside tending to the garden until the sun went down. She was a perfectionist, une “maniaque de bien-faire” and always wanted things to look just right. 

I remember when I made the decision to buy this house and move to Beaconsfield, some of my friends and colleagues at work questioned my decision. Our family was francophone, and this was known as a very English-speaking neighbourhood. But that kind of thing never bothered me or my family. We always felt welcome in this community and there were several professional hockey players living in the area at the time which made it even more special. 

I also had a good friendship with the Cross Family who lived next door. Bill Cross was a rice supplier for Provigo with Dainty Rice - so he and I always had business to discuss when we saw each other outside our homes either mowing the lawn or shoveling the snow. 

My wife and I raised two boys in this home and it’s hard to believe I’ve been here for 47 years. Rejeane absolutely adored this house, and that’s why it was heartbreaking for me when the day came that I could no longer keep her here with me. She developed Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 75, and eventually I could no longer provide her with the level of care she needed. She spent her last few years in a care-facility where I would go and visit her everyday. Now that she’s gone, I no longer feel the need to keep this house any longer, but I still cherish the memories.

It is now time for me to move on, and for another family to begin a new chapter in the story of this home. I hope that whoever buys this house, will appreciate the great quality of construction, the fantastic neighbourhood, and the incredible community that Sherwood has to offer.