HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-12-14, Page 12Crossroads
12 Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Exeter Times Advocate
Grand Bend couple celebrates 65 years of marriage
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
GRAND BEND — "We've had a marvelous life togeth-
er, so many things have happened. We have many,
many fond memories," says Anne Cann.
Carfrey and Anne Cann celebrated 65 years of mar-
riage last month.
An open house was held Nov. 12 at the Southcott
Pines Clubhouse in Grand Bend.
About 90 people showed for the celebration.
"We got 90 cards. It took us three hours to put all of
them in a binder," says
Anne.
Both Carfrey and Anne
were pleased with family
and friends who attended
the open house.
After the celebration the Canns had
their family over for dinner.
"There were 24 people eating every-
where, upstairs in the dining room,
downstairs, wherever there was room,"
says Anne.
The Canns have a cozy home in Southcott Pines in
Grand Bend where they've lived for about 19 years.
Their journey began much differently then where
they are today.
Annabella Bertram emigrated to Canada from
Scotland when she was just 12 years old.
Her parents and the rest of the family settled in a
rural area of Saskatchewan.
Anne left school after four years and began working
at a hospital in Eston, a town where she lived and
worked for five years.
Carfrey Cann grew up on a wheat farm in
Saskatchewan.
He obtained his education in the village of Brock, 20
miles from Eston.
When Carfrey was 17 years old he was sent for
teacher's training in Saskatoon.
He was then hired the next year to teach at the
Prouse School District.
Boarding privileges were offered to Carfrey at Anne
Bertram's family home.
Carfrey accepted and paid the family $18 a month to
stay there.
During this time Anne was working at the hospital 10
miles away.
She would visit occasionally on weekends and being a
16 -year-old girl was very interested in meeting 18 -
year -old Carfrey.
"I had a curiosity about what this new teacher looked
like," says Anne.
Anne's parents also wanted their daughter to meet
Carfrey-they were fond of him.
•'- ' • . Carfrey and Anne both
ArInfprsary remember their first impres-
sions of each other.
It's been 65 years of
exciting memories for
the Cann's and they're
still going.
"I guess I fell for his good
looks," says Anne.
"My first impression was very high, she
was a fine looking young lady and she was-
n't very forward," says Carfrey.
It wasn't long before they were going out
together and Anne still remembers their
first date.
"We went to a dance at the school house," Anne says.
When asked if Carfrey could dance a smile appears
on her face. "No," she laughs, "but he has improved."
Carfrey and Anne dated for three years.
During that time Carfrey gave Anne her first ring, a
black onyx.
Anne became his fiance and to this day she still
wears the ring.
In 1938 Carfrey decided to return to the roots of his
ancestors in Ontario and look for other opportunities.
The Canadian prairie's economy was at its lowest
depression and he wasn't making a lot of money.
After working in the oil industry drilling for oil and
gas he was sent to Baddock, NS.
After finishing his job there Carfrey returned to
Ontario.
In 1940 the Cann family moved to Exeter after pur-
chasing a defunct flour mill and grain business in the
town.
Two years had passed since Carfrey had left Anne
temporarily.
Anne wrote Carfrey a telegram saying the engage-
ment commitment made earlier was now due and to
please reply.
Carfrey sent Anne a telegram saying he would arrive
on a specific date with a ring and they would discuss
the wedding plans.
Two weeks later they were married.
It was not a huge wedding but Carfrey recalls their
wedding song and breaks out into a tune.
"Carfrey", says Anne laughing, "ok, Carfrey."
"The song is called 'The Crystal Chandelier,— says
Anne.
It's been 65 years of exciting memories for the Cann's
and they're still going.
"We've been on eight cruises together," says Anne.
"I'd still like to go but my husband wouldn't like to go
anymore," she adds.
They have three children who are now grown with
their own families and seven grandchildren.
Carfrey and Anne have also always been involved in
the community.
"We've always had a closeness to the Exeter United
Church, for 65 years," says Anne.
Carfrey, who will be 90 in March, and Anne who cel-
ebrated her 88th birthday in the beginning of
December, are still very active, although retired from
any community service they've participated in.
Carfrey was in the Huron community men's choir for
15 years and was also the Sunday school superinten-
dent at the Exeter United Church. Now Carfrey spends
time woodscaping or playing shuffleboard with Anne
twice a week.
Anne was a volunteer at Community Living in
Dashwood for many years and is a life member of the
South Huron Hospital Auxiliary Board. She enjoys line
dancing and playing cards.
"We've had 65 years of good memories," they say.
"We never fight, we get along very well," Anne adds.
Carfrey has been beating her lately in shuffleboard
but Ann says it's just for fun.
Carfrey and Anne hold a picture of what they looked like when they first met.
They celebrated their 65th anniversary last month. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
Carfrey and Anne look lovingly at each other during a toast of champagne for
their 65th wedding anniversary last month. (photo/submitted)
In front, from left are Anne and Carfrey. Back, from left are, Carfrey and Anne's
children, Donald, David and Patricia.They were among the family members that
celebrated their parents' 65th wedding anniversary last month at the Southcott
Pines Clubhouse in Grand Bend. (photo/submitted)
Carfrey and Anne on their Nov. 12 65th anniversary celebration.The open
was held at Southcott Pines Clubhouse in Grand Bend. Many family members and
friends came out to support the Cann celebration.About 90 people attended the
open house. (photo/submitted)
house