The Skipper <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> This is a photo of my Father-In-Law, the late Ernest Shute Sr. with my sons Brad (L) (8 yrs) and Geoff (R) (6 yrs) during a visit to the Hoyle's Home shorty before his passing in 1970. We were on a visit to St. John's from our home in Halifax that year. At the time he was smoking his favourite cigar. <br /> <br /> I had great respect for that man and always addressed him as the skipper. Although he could neither read nor write, he was a very successful plastering contractor in St. John's. He and his talented wife Beatrice, established E. Shute &amp; Sons. During their day the firm was involved in major work projects, including hospitals and homes, around the St. John's area. His three sons Gordon, Alistair, and Glynn were involved in the business with him. They also owned and operated a successful Red and White store at the Octagon. <br /> <br /> I found the man very wise in his ways and a devoted husband and father. He was very much the craftsman behind the business and his wife was the management person. I first met the family in 1958 when home for the summer from university in Ontario. I took his daughter Mereda (Marie) out on a blind date and was immediately smitten by her charms, and the rest is history. <br /> <br /> <br /> For me the take home message here is that regardless of educational background the right combination of a skilled craft and business acumen can mean a recipe for success. <br /> <br /> <br /> John Cornick<br /> Halifax, Nova Scotia   Submitted By: John Cornick