Over 219 years of service honoured at CN retirement

Ken Johnston

Over 219 years of service were honoured last Saturday at the Canadian National Railway employees retirement dinner in Rainy River.
About 250 people attended the dinner and dance at the Rainy River Community Centre. After supper each of the retirees was presented several gifts. The first one was a wood scrawled replica of a steam locomotive done by local CN employee Rick Peterson. Emcee Ralph Armstrong said it takes Peterson 14 hours to make each one. That meant he spent 84 hours making one for each of the six retirees.
Each of them was also presented with certificates from MPP Howard Hampton and MP Ken Boshcoff, gifts from the retirement committee and received congratulations from their respective unions.
Each retiree’s employment history was then celebrated by Emcee Armstrong.
Oliver “O.J.” Nault
O.J. hired on June 9, 1972 and worked out of Rainy River, Neebing, Ont., Gillam, MB., Brandon, MB. and Symington, MB. He was promoted to Conductor June, 1975. He retired Feb. 28, 2004 with 32 years of service.
Reynold “Rene” Nordberg
Rene hired on May 16, 1967 and worked out of Rainy River, Sioux Lookout, Ont. and Symington as a Conductor/Locomotive Operator. He retired July 31, 2004 with 37 years and 7 months service.
Garry Tetu
Garry hired on July 27, 1966 and worked out of Rainy River, Winnipeg, MB., Edmonton, AB. and Sioux Lookout. He was promoted to Conductor on July 27, 1970. He retired July 31, 2004 with 38 years of service.
Brian O’Connell
Brian hired on August 6, 1956 and worked most of his career in Sioux Lookout. He later transferred to Fort Frances. He served as a clerk and retired April 1, 2003 with 46 years 8 months service.
Dennis Brown
Dennis hired on May 4, 1974 and worked out of Rainy River and Fort Frances. He was promoted to Conductor May of 1976 and retired July 31, 2004 with 30 years of service.
Carl John Peters
Carl hired on June 5, 1970 and worked out of Rainy River and Fort Frances. He was promoted to conductor in 1990. He retired February 5, 2005 with 35 years of service.
All the retirees thanked everyone for coming and for the great party. The rest of the evening involved a dance to live music.