Gerry (Gerard) Janssen introduced himself to the club. He thanked everyone for “accepting him into their friendship” – a phrase he heard when attending a club
in Florida last month. Born in Holland, the 4th of 7 children he remembers attending the ceremonies at the Canadian War Cemetery close to his village. A Jesuit
college provided his secondary education and he learned English, French and German along with Greek and Latin! He visited Canada & the Pinery in 1973 and fell in love with the country!

 

Gerry earned a B.A. in Psychology and Statistics, Wilfrid Laurier University and worked in the private sector for 10 years starting as an Accountant, then a Manager and finally a Divisional Controller. In 1990 he started in the London office of Canada Revenue Agency. Winning a national competition in 1998 he was promoted to a senior position in the Appeals Branch in Ottawa finishing his career as Audit Quality Assurance Manager in 2014. His volunteer service has included being an Assistant instructor, Dale Carnegie course; Chair of Council at a United Church in London; Treasurer/Registrar for a Scout Group in Orleans; Charter member of a Toastmasters Club in Ottawa.

 

His close friend in Ottawa was a member of the Rotary Club of Ottawa and Gerry and Catherine enjoyed hosting students attending the annual Adventure in Citizenship program in the Capital. He was impressed with Rotary and self-referred to our club on arriving in St. Thomas. They will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary next year and have 3 sons from previous marriages.

Bill Horn thanked Gerry for his talk and warmly welcomed him.

 

 

 

 

Club News: President Elect Trish welcomed Ken Wilmot (Railway City club) and Maggie Horn. Sympathy was expressed to the families of Doug Barrett (President and long-time member of this club) and John Jones, brother of President Nancy Lovelock. Maggie Horn shared her excitement at receiving her Permanent Residence card and later she won the 50/50!!!

 

DOUGLAS BARRETT (1924-2017) was a prominent member and served as President in 1986. He will be remembered as a great story teller with a “wicked sense of humour”. He served with the British Army from 1944-48 in Europe and North Africa. Then he joined the Malaysian Police Force from 1949-52. On at least two occasions in 2005 (Jan 31st and June 27th) he shared with the club the horrors of fighting in the jungle of Malaya (1949-1952). “Other stories demonstrated a fierce will and the clever use of his wits to survive.” As the Rotaserver editor remarked, “All in all, this was an extraordinary history lesson that those in attendance were privileged to hear”. Returning to England he worked as a mechanic before starting a career in Social Work as a Child Welfare Officer. The family’s tribute to Doug can be read in the obituaries on-line at Shawn Jackson Funeral Home.

 

Trudy reported on the 2017 World Tubing championship and expects to be able to donate $500 to the hospital Foundation. Ron reported the success of the 63rd Rotary Music Festival last week. 550 students had taken part and a great “Evening of Competitions” was held on Friday. Keynotes Concert 7th April 7pm. A work crew will meet at the Rotary Food Trailer on Sat 4th March at 10am and the committee will meet Wed 8th March 7pm at The Wayside.

 

 

 

 

Stew (1) So very impressed with the many activities of the club.
Malcolm (2) Welcoming Gerry; DJ Kenington 1st Canadian to qualify for the Daytona 500 since 1988.
Maggie (3) Permanent residency card; 50/50; local theatre “Caught in the Net”
Ron (5) Family birthday; Festival done; traced family tree back to 1804 in Ireland; Gerry’s talk
Pat (5) New grandson Benjamin Chen-Martyn; grandson’s birthday; Ron for the Festival; Gerry’s talk; in honour of Doug Barrett.
Bill (4) Memories of Doug; Gerry’s talk; play “Caught in the Net”; Ron for the festival; Trudy for tubing.
Gerry (2) Thanks for the welcome; now away for 4 weeks in Florida!
Dave Payler (1) Completed 40yrs since joining Rotary in N. Sydney NS
Trish (1) To welcome Gerry!

 

 

	ASAA	Greeter	Fine Master
Monday, March 6	Gerry Janssen	Trudy Kanellis	Trish Shouldice
Monday, March 13	Stew Shouldice	Bill Horn	Adriana Balderas
Monday, March 20	Ron Somerville	Dave Rock	Stew Shouldice
Monday, March 27	Davey Moffatt	Ron Somerville	Bill Horn