The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1969-06-26, Page 1Honor trucker of 40 years
On June 29, 1929, Benson W.
Tuckey jumped behind the
wheel of a "little red Chev"
truck and drove from London to
Exeter, marking the
inauguration of a business that
today is one or the largest,
employers in this area.
While the president of
Guenther Tuckey Transports
Ltd. can now dispatch a truck
that could haul up to 27 tons of
cargo, his first truck wasn't even
large enough to haul all his
household belongings.
The Chev truck had a
platform that measured 6' by 9'
and it took him two trips to get.
all his furniture to Exeter, along
with a couple of small hardware
orders which helped make up his
first pay-load,
In the succeeding 40 years,
the local firm has grown to the
point where it has 103 units on
Ontario highways and employs
about 85 people, driving and
working in offices located at
Exeter, Goderich, London and
Toronto.
Saturday afternoon, in honor
of the founder's 40th
Modem communications are
naturally essential to the
operation of such a large fleet
and a teletype hammers out
messages at the four main
branches, indicating which
trucks are where and what units
will be required by each branch
the following day.
One of the biggest jobs is for
Mr, Tuckey and his staff to
determine how the schedule will
be handled on the following
day's work to ensure that loads
from Toronto get to London
and Exeter and that loads in
Exeter get to London and
Goderich.
"Sometimes we virtually have
to unearth a truck from no
place," Mr, Tuckey reports,
adding that it is far from easy to
get the units balanced out to get
goods from one location to
another.
When the firm is busy they
don't have enough units, and
when freight is light, they have
too many,
"It's a gambling business,"
the president noted. "There's
just no pattern from one day to
the next."
anniversary in trucking, the a small barn at the fernier
employees staged a surprise Tuckey residence on Simcoe
celebration for he and his wife, 'Street until 1932 when Eric
who were escorted through town Campbell, now a vice-president,
in a convertible in a parade led was added to the staff and a new
by the Exeter Legion Pipe band truck was purchased.
and followed by some of the The firm had the area's first
smallest and largest vehicles in tractor and semi-trailer and it
the Guenther Tuckey fleet, measured a whopping big 15 feet
The parade was followed by a in length. A new office was
dinner for about 200 at the opened at the site of the present
Exeter Legion Hall where Mr. Tuckey Beverages plant on Main
Tuckey and his wife, Aratielle, St. and by 1952 had grown to
were the recipients of many nine units,
words and expressions of However, things started
congratulations. . happening that year and Mr.
Although he admitted he was Tuckey bought out the trucking
stymied for words, Mr. Tuckey business of Earl Guenther,
told the gathering the success of Dashwood, who had 21 units,
his business was only possible The firm has grown steadily
through the work of his since that time and new units
employees, can frequently be seen at the
The local transport firm is firm's local headquarters at the
one of the oldest in Ontario and intersection of Highways 4 and
their licenses show the number 83.
A-95, indicating there were only
94 others issued before Mr,
Tuckey received his in 1929.
He hitch-hiked to Toronto to
get that first license for his
one-truck fleet.
The business operated out of
While most of the cargo is the
type which keeps trade and
commerce booming in the
communities served by Guenther
Tuckey, the firm has had some
unusual freight as well.
When Schaefer Pens moved to
Goderich, the local firm was-
contracted to move all the
industry's equipment and
supplies.
Included in the supplies was a rather large quantity of gold,
which had been packed in plain
cartons and marked only with an
The drivers were given no
details as to the content of the
boxes, but they were given
instructions that at no time
where they to stop. An armed
guard escorted them from
Toronto to. Exeter, where the
gold was stored over the New
Year's holiday period. Armed
guards were on duty around the
clock and Mr. Tuckey breathed a
sigh of relief when he finally
watched the cartons being
unloaded at Goderich and back
into the safe-keeping of the pen
company officials,
— Please turn to Page 3
r
HAD THEM STYMIED --- Mr, and Mrs. Benson W. Tuckey didn't know the identity of "injun Joe" for
some time, Saturday, It turned out to be Charlie Dawson, an executive of Mack Trucks and a fishing
partner of Mr. Tuckey's. His appearance was one of the many surprises for Mr. Tuckey at the event
staged by his employees in recognition of his 40 years in the trucking industry. T-A photo
•
a
Ninety-fourth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, JUNE 26, 1969 Price Per Copy 15 Cents
• Fireworks and fun
MANY MILES
In 1968 Guenther Tuckey
trucks covered a distance of over
two million miles on their runs,
primarily in the area west of
Toronto. The firm does have
some trucking jobs into
Michigan, Quebec and Ohio, but
the longest run any unit has
made is to Port Arthur.
The local firm is the main
transporter for Sifto Salt and has
seven units, many of them
specialized, in service to this
company.
During busy periods, some of
the motors on the tractors are
never stopped, as new drivers
take over when loads are
changed at one of the
destination points.
Some of the drivers travel
between 70,000 and 100,000
miles per year, and one of Mr.
Tuckey's items of pride is the
safety record built up by his
drivers.
The firm has its own service
department and each driver is
responsible for the maintenance
of his unit.
"It's to their advantage to
make certain their trucks are in
good shape," the company
president stated, noting that the
drivers are a long way from
home at all hours of the night
and breakdowns would be extra
trouble for them.
to feature birthday
RECEIVES OSCAR The highest award of the trucking industry
was presented to Benson W, Tuckey, Saturday, by Joe Goodman,
general manager of ATA. The award was in recognition of the service
and leadership provided to ATA by Mr. Tuckey, who this year is
president. T-A photo
1 0:0 0 p.m. with a large
fireworks display.
The afternoon program will
be free, and admission to the
evening show will be $1.00 per
family, or 50 cents for adults
and 25 cents for children,
Proceeds are to cover the cost
of trie fireworks.
It was suggested at an
organizational meeting this week
that persons driving to the
afternoon activities in Riverview
Park may find it easier to park at
the curling club. Access to the
park from that point is very
handy via the Exeter Lions
bridge.
Chairman for Tuesday's
program is George Vriese. Non-teacher vacations
adopted— little debate READY FOR A HIKE AT CAMP SYLVAN - - Students of Stephen Central School spent three days last
week at the Camp Sylvan Conservation last week under the direction of principal Don Finkbeiner and
Ausable River Conservation Authority Resources manager Terry McCauley. Above, principal Finkbeiner
is giving directions for a hike to Joanne Hotson, Nathalie Scott, Janet Guenther and Marlene Tyler.
a
•
Grand Bend 1969 mill rate
shows only slight increase
Grand Bend ratepayers will
pay from 3 to 7.7 mills more in
1969 taxes according to the mill
rate approved at Thursday
night's meeting of council.
For the first time, all
residents of Grand Bend will be
paying exactly the same rate of
taxes, In previous years, GB
owners residing on the north
side of the river paid their high
school taxes to South Huron
District High School in Exeter
while those living south of the
AOTS executive
at conference
Norm Walper and Dr. Don
Ecker, president and
vice-president, respectively of
James Street United Church
AOTS attended the 17th annual
United Church Men's
Conference at Keswick over the
weekend.
The guest speaker was Dr. J.
Ellsworth of Kalas, Wisconsin.
Others that addressed the more
than 300 in attendance were Dr.
Robert McClure, Moderator of
the United Church of Canada
and Dr. Robert Hatfield of
Calgary .
Youth killed
in car crash
Will publish
on schedule
•
department would replace 4,394
lineal feet at a cost of $8,219.
The current figure for the same
work has risen to $11,424.40.
To do both sides of the street
from one limit to the other
would now cost $19,006.
In other business, council
Authorized clerk DesJardins
to draw up a by-law limiting to
parking on, Grand Bend's Main
Street to one hour between the
hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Learned that the Department
of Highways had approved the
village's application for a
supplementary road expenditure
by-law in the amount of
$52,800.
Approved payment of a
portion of the annual grant to
the Grand Bend Chamber of
Commerce in the amount of
$500.
Plans are well underway for
Exeter's third annual July 1
celebration,
This year's event will be
much similar to the one which
attracted large crowds to
activities in both parks last year.
Proceedings get underway at
Riverview Park at 2:00 p.m.
with children's games and
contests, conducted by Carr
Cann and members of the
Kinettes and Beta Sigma Phi
Sorority.
The pool will be opened for
free swimming at 3:00 p.m.,
while at the same time the Lions
will conduct games and contests
for adults. This will include a pie
eating contest, euchre games and
ladies' nail driving contest.
The Legion Auxiliary plan a
bingo game during the same
time.
The popular canoe jousting
tilts in the river will get
underway at 4:00 p.m. and the
activities this year will be
highlighted by a tug-o-war
contest between the Lions and
Kinsmen and other teams to be
engaged.
The competing teams will be
stationed at opposite sides of the
river and the losers are destined
for a dunking.
An invitation has again been
extended to area residents to
bring their picnic supper to the
park to enjoy it there before
heading out for the activities
planned for the evening show at
the Community Park.
Activities there start around
7:00 p.m. with a horse show
arranged by the Exeter Saddle
Club and the Rodeo Committee.
The program will consist of
action events such as barrel
races, flag races and musical
chairs.
The Huron Pony Trotting
Association has also been invited
to put on a couple of pony races
during the evening. •
A ball game gets underway at
8:15 p.m. between the Exeter
Rec League All-Stars and a team
representing London Life from
the London City loop.
The program concludes at
a
Revised recommendations on
non-teacher vacations, as
recommended by the committee
on non- teaching employees'
salaries and benefits, met very
little opposition at a special
meeting of Huron County Board
of Education held in Victor
Lauriston Public School,
Goderich, Monday evening.
A motion sponsored by Mrs.
J. W. Wallace and D. J. Murphy,
both of Goderich, was carried on
a show of hands with one
dissenting vote, that of Robert
M. Elliott, board vice-chairman
and representative of Goderich
and Colborne Townships on the
Board.
Although he did not speak at
length, he said he objected to
the last three sections which
provided the three top men in
the employ of the Board, D. J.
Cochrane, director of education;
Roy 13. Dunlop, business
administrator; and J. W. Coulter,
superintendent of schools, each
with four weeks' vacation after
one year. He was of the opinion
that they should be employed
for five years before receiving
the extra week, not one year.
Schedule for vacation periods
as follows;
Director of Education,
Superintendent (Academic), and
Business Administrator: up to
one year of service, three weeks;
after one year, four weeks. In
each case, one week of any
yearly vacation may be
accumulated over a two-year
period.
Assistant Superintendents
(Academic), Chief Accountant,
Plant Superintendent, Manager
of Purchasing and Services: after
Youngsters compete
in bicycle contests
Despite the holiday, Tuesday,
The Exeter Times-Advocate will
be published on Thursday as
usual next week.
To facilitate this, advertising
deadlines will be Monday at
6:00 p.m. This applies to both
display and classified advertising.
Correspondents will be
receiving a letter this week
explaining procedures to follow
to have their weekly budgets in
on time for publication,
Investigate only
four collisions
The Exeter OPP detachment
had only four accidents to
investigate this week, with two
of those being of a minor nature.
On Friday at 12:05 a.m., a
car operated by Thomas Gibb
Fitzsimmons, Toronto, was in
collision with a car driven by
James Wilson, Exeter.
Damage was listed at $800 by
Constable E. C. Wilcox. John
Murray, Toronto, a passenger in
the Fitzsimmons vehicle suffered
a head injury.
On the same day at 11:05
p.m., Constable D. A. Mason
investigated an accident
involving a car operated by
William Hugh Patterson, Exeter,
which occurred at the Centralia
Farmers Supply Ltd. parking lot.
Damage was listed at $125.
There were two accidents on
Sunday, the first at 5:30 p.m. on
Highway 83 about four miles
west of Highway 4.
Michael David Chandler,
Kitchener, was eastbound and
was in the process of passing
another eastbound car when the
latter also pulled out to pass.
To avoid a collision Chandler
pulled to the shoulder, but he
lost control of his car and it
rolled over in the south ditch.
Damage was listed at $700 by
Constable D. A. Lamont.
Two passengers in the
Kitchener car sustained minor
injuries.
The final crash occurred at
7:30 p.m. on County Road 31,
one mile north of Highway 84.
Arthur Snell, 10 Linwood
Ave., London, was proceeding
south on the county road and as
he came over a knoll, was in
collision with a dog owned by
Terrance Hardwick, RR 2
Hensall.
Constable F. L. Giffin listed
damage to the car at $30.
During the week the officers
charged 16 persons tinder the
Highway Traffic Act and issued
warnings to another 25.
one year of service, three weeks'
vacation. In each case, one week
of any yearly vacation may be
accumulated over a two-year
period.
Custodians, Engineers and
Maintenance Employees: (a)
after six months and up to one
year, one week with pay; (b)
after one year, two weeks with
pay; (c) after seven years, three
weeks with pay.
Secretaries, clerks,
clerk-typists and supervisors: (a)
after six months and up to one
year, one week with pay; (b)
after one year, two weeks with
pay; (c) after seven years, three
weeks with pay.
Present employees of the
Board, who were in the employ
of predecessor Boards,
December 31, 1968, will have
vacations in summer of 1969 as
per policy of former Board, and
previous service will count.
BORROWING
A new borrowing bylaw to
raise the Board's credit from
$5,000,000 to $9,000,000 was
passed by Huron County Board
o f Education at a special
meeting in Victor Lauriston
Public School, Goderich,
Monday evening. Current rate of
interest is nine percent, up one
percent from earlier in year.
D. J. Cochrane, director of
education stated that the Bank
of Montreal, Goderich, Board's
bankers, had suggested the
increase as an advantage.
Roy B. Dunlop, business
administrator, submitted a letter
from W. M. Wardley, bank
— Please turn to Page 3
A former resident of Stephen
Township died early Tuesday
from injuries received when his
car rolled over on Wilton Grove
Road, just east of Wellington
Road in London.
Dead is Glenn Ross
Finkbeiner, 18, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Henry Finkbeiner, RR 4
Denfield.
Ruth Ketch, 16, of RR 2
Denfield, a passenger in the car,
was treated for cuts and bruises.
In addition to his parents, the
youth is survived by a brother,
Gerry, and a sister, Gaile, both
at home; and both
grandmothers, Mrs. Frank King
and Mrs. Fred Finkbeiner, both
of Exeter,
The body is at the
Hopper-Hockey Funeral Home,
Exeter, where service will be
held today (Thursday) at 2:00
p.m. Rev. Harold Snell will
officiate and burial will be in
Exeter Cemetery.
Pallbearers will include: Jim
Pattison, Martin Clarke, John
DeBlock, Dan Dobbison, Byran
Clarke and Robert Brown.
river paid high school support to
the North Lambton Board at
Forest.
With the change to County
Boards of Education all Grand
Bend secondary school levies
will be paid to Lambton who in
turn will buy education from the
Huron County Board for Grand
Bend students attending South
Huron in Exeter.
According to the new rate set
Thursday, all residential owners
will pay a rate of 88 mills this
year as compared to 85 paid on
the north side last year and 81.7
on the south side of the river.
The commercial levy this year
will be 95 mills. Last year, the
rate was 91 mills for the north
side of the river residents and
87.3 for those residing south of
the river.
In discussing the tax rate,
Reeve Ory Wassmann said "we
are fortunate to come up with
this rate and a very little increase
considering what is being
accomplished with new streets
and a water supply system.
Clerk Murray A. DesJardins
said the shelter grant or
provincial tax rebate would be
$42.24 per Grand Bend
residential property.
Estimates were received from
the Ontario Department of
Highways for the construction
of cement sidewalks along both
sides of Highway 21 within the
village limits.
Under the original agreement
of several years ago, the
4 Okay tender
for projects
Probe cause
of barn fire
At a special meeting,
Monday, Exeter council
tk
accepted the tender of Walloy
Excavating Company, London,
to undertake the work planned
on Albert and Huron Streets.
The London area firm, which
had the low bid on several recent
jobs hi Exeter, submitted a price
of $37,070. This was slightly
under the estimate of Works
Superintendent Jim Paisley and
was $3,290 lower than the next
competitor.
There were 12 bidders in all
and the highest price submitted
was 869,108.
The work consists of
installing a storm drain and
paving the two blocks on Huron
from Main to Carling St., as welt
as the sewer work and a gravel
finish on Albert St.
Target date for starting the
program is July 15.
Will stand trial
on rape charge
Lloyd G. Salter, 35, of
Hensall was committed for trial
by higher court following a
preliminary hearing held
Monday in Goderich on a charge
of rape.
He will appear for trial at the
fall assizes of the Supreme Court
in Goderich.
Salter is charged with raping a
two-year-old girl at Hensall on
February 15 of this year.
In Monday's hearing the
Crown called five witnesses,
including Dr. John Goddard,
Hensel]; OPP Constable John
Wray, Goderich detachment;
Exeter OPP Constable Ed
Wilcox; Miss Stella Bunn and a
14-year-old baby sitter.
and Robbie Essery, Centralia.
In the eight and nine year-old
bracket, Sheila Snider, 519
Simcoe, Exeter was declared the
winner with Alicia McCauley,
Brenda Edwards and Joanne
Taylor following in that order.
Gaining the most points in
the intermediate division for boy
contestants was Danny
Mittelholtz, Huron Street East.
Placing next in line were Mark
Beer of Huron Park, Derek
Regier, RR. 3, Dashwood, and
Randy Fisher, 181 Mill Street,
Exeter.
Heading the senior division
for girls 10 years of age and over
was Diane Van Bergen of Exeter.
Following closely behind in the
runner-up spots were Gail
Boucher and Allison Robichaud
of Huron Park and Shirley Hay
of Zurich.
Randy Oke of Zurich was the
top competitor among the senior
boys. The runners-up were Doug
Regier, RR 3, Dashwood, Kirby
Berdan, 49 Simeoe, Exeter and
Pat Hogan, RR 8, Parkhill.
Trophies are being prepared
and will be presented to the
whiners at a special ceremony
later this summer.
The final tests of the district
Crusader Bicycle clubs were held
at the Exeter arena Saturday
morning with public and
separate school students
participating.
Sponsored by the Exeter and
Hensall Kinsmen clubs and the
Zurich Lions Club with the
c o operation of the Exeter
Po lice Department and the
Exeter detachment of the
Ontario Provincial Police the
competition produced a top boy
and girl in each of three age
divisions,
OPP Constable John Wright,
Exeter Corporal Harry Van
Bergen and Exeter Kinsmen
Safety Officer Gernot Dauber
were ill charge of Saturday's
testing activities.
In the junior division for girls
up to seven years of age the
winner was Susan Zachar, 135
Wellington, Exeter. The
runners-up were Cindy Fisher,
Julianne MacLean and Sheila
May Edwards, ail of Exeter,
The junior boys champ was
Teddy Beck, 165 Huron, Exeter
followed in the runner-up spots
by Douglas Luxton, Exeter,
Bradley Breen, RR 8 Parkhill,
An inspector from the
Ontario Fire Marshall's office
has been investigating a blaze
which destroyed a barn near
Exeter early Saturday morning.
The barn, owned by Oscar
Tuckey, was burned to the
ground in the blaze which was
spotted around 1:30 a,m,
Located about a mile
north-east of Exeter, the barn
contained only straw and pig
feed. The hydro had been
disconnected for some time, and
there appeared to be no
plausible answer to the cause of
the blaze.
The barn was built in 1927
by the late Rufus Nestle.
GRAND BEND FLOAT IN ALHAMBRA DAY PARADE — The Algarva Caravan No, 168 of Grand
Bend was well represented in the annual Alhaiubra Day parade held at Grand Bend, Saturday night,
Jerry Arnold, Grand Commander of the Caravan is shown at the centre of the float and he is flanked on
the left by William Dinyer and Renzi Van Praet while Ted Relouw arid Jim Dalton are at the right.
gragelea 71/64
TRANSPORTS LIMITED
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