Uncle Cy Brien had a small Grocery Store in Trepassey in the Early Sixties.

He decided one day to go visit his sisters Hannah and Bride who were living

in Boston.He liked it so much that he decided to stay.Cy sold the Shop to his Brother

Vince and got a job at Harvard University as a Groundskeeper.Driving around a little Red Truck and later became a Supervisor.Cy loved to sing and play accordion

and Harmonica and tell funny Stories.He was the life of the Party.He was also a devout Catholic and he liked to visit the Senior Citizen’s home and entertain them.

They would pass the hat and when he left he dropped the money off at the desk to put back into the home as told to me by his wife Pauline.

Cy passed away in the Early 90’s from Brain Cancer.He recorded twenty songs before he passed.The last time I saw him was in 1971.First thing he said was.Not much has changed here.Last time I was home was 15 years ago.It was thick with fog and Johnny Halleran and Vince Walsh were going picking Bake Apples.Now 15 years later Johnny and Vince are home from Berry Picking and it is still thick with fog.

In the Mid 90’s I was a Flight Steward for flying around Ministers of Parliament and I got to fly to Logan Airport in Boston with John Manley.I met Cy’s wife and her Sister.Had a visit at their Apartment and took them some leftover Sandwiches that I made on the Flight.They told me some funny Cy Stories but mostly how kind he was and they never heard him Swear.Closest he came was starting a Story with.”Oh Gentle Christ.”Some Newfoundland folk Groups such as Figgy Duff,The Fables,and Shanneyganock sang the Song The Derby Ram.That song was learned from a Recording of my Uncle Cy.McEdward and Leach recorded back in 1951.Aunt Pauline told me.Cy said when I was little I would go down to their old house which was in the same yard as ours.I would only stay a short while.They had an old Gas operated Wash Machine.As soon as that started up I was out of there.I did not like the noise.

Cy said.I always said,I must go I suppose.Must of  heard Father use that expression.

Sadly Pauline passed away a few years ago with dementia.I was really glad I got a chance to meet her and her sister.They had a great sense of humour .Both of them.

My Mom always told me I was a lot like Cy.The Tall tales,The songs and the music.

And so comes to a close another Saga in the life of a weary traveler.

See Ya!