Out Migration two words that touches the hearts of many of our people.

Although our biggest hit was from the Closure of The Cod Fishery.

It is not new for people to have to look for work elsewhere.

I knew a few local men who moved to other Communities and found love

and work and never returned to there birth place.

My Grandfather Brien often worked in Boston area doing odd short term jobs.

My Uncle Cy Brien moved to the States in the Early 60’s.Met a Woman and got a

job at as a Grounds Keeper at Harvard.Cy loved to sing Old Irish and Newfoundland Songs and he knew thousands of them.He played Accordion and Harmonica and a great Story teller.Would have loved to known him better.

One such Man who found love and work as a fisherman in Renews is Skipper Tom H.Never met the man but he seemed largest than life and left a good impression on me.Met a friend from Renews about 50 years ago who told me some Skipper Tom Stories of when she worked in the local Grocer.He had a funny way of embellishing stories and left you with a grin.For instance he was on a flight to Vancouver and the plane hit some rough weather.He asked the Captain.”Air Pockets Captain?No.Two Engines gone.”His son drove his new Chevy Vega from Vancouver to Newfoundland on Five dollars worth of Gas.I was posted to Royal Roads in Victoria when it was a Military College.The Sergeant Major called me in one day for a quick Chat.Where are you from on the Rock he asked? Trepassey says I.A big smile came over his face and he asked.Do You know Skipper Tom H? No,But I heard about him.He told me Tom had a Step Son in The Army and Tom would visit him.THe Sergeant Major and Skipper Tom had a shine for dark Rum and Stories.Every morning Skipper Tom would show up at his door with a tumbler of Rum for his Hangover.

I also met a Retired Engineer who had worked for the B.C Government in Management.He told me he had to stop hiring young Newfoundland Engineers.As soon as they had enough work for there Stamps.They would quit and move back home.

Taking the Man out of the Bay.But you can’t take the Bay out of the Man.I believe that to be true.I left home in 1980 to join the Service.Met my wife in Calgary and we reside in Alberta now.A big piece of my Soul is still on the Shore.I love Alberta.But Newfoundland is what knitt me.Thanks for your time.