Gary Gallant of Chilliwack, BC was just 17-years-old when he left St. George’s to begin a career with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Now 76, he joined about 70 members of his extended family from July 30 to Aug. 1 for a reunion in his hometown. It had been 14 years since he last visited.
“There have been a lot of changes,” he said during an interview with the Georgian. “And I’ve met a lot of people that I didn’t even know existed then.”
Mr. Gallant had eight brothers and sisters, two of whom still live in St. George’s. After his career in the armed forces, he retrained, became certified and worked in the engineering side of communications systems in British Columbia until 1987 when he retired – again.
His was one of three generations of the Gallant-Hines family represented at the reunion. The event gave him a great opportunity to spend time with his two surviving sisters, Doreen and Jean and brother Kevin. Family members attended from British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
A dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion on the first night gave family members an opportunity to meet for the first time or to be become re-acquainted.
“It was a golden opportunity for me,” said Kevin Hines, a former mayor of St. George’s and one of two siblings who remained in the community.
“I am in contact by phone or the Internet but it was wonderful to get together.”
The family originated from Susie Gallant-Hines, who, family lore says, was presented with a letter of commendation by the Governor of Newfoundland because she took over her brother Tim’s work in the fishing boats in 1914 so he could serve in the First World War.
“Sadly he lost his life in battle,” says Kevin, “and my mother always regretted her action at that time.”
Susie’s first husband, Walter Gallant, died when Susie was 33 and she was left a widow with six children. Later she married Norman Hines and had two more children.
A time to celebrate
Both segments of the family were well represented during the reunion. As a way of keeping track of where each person was on the family tree, the various branches of the family were represented by different coloured t-shirts. Hundreds of photos were taken during the weekend and are being shared through various venues.
Saturday morning started off with a breakfast celebration at the local seniors’ centre, featuring traditional toutons, pancakes and fruit. A tour of the church and a presentation on the history of the "clock" – an antique wine-up clock that continues to operate there. A concluding barbecue brought everyone together on Sunday at the home of Louise and Kevin Hines.
Throughout the weekend, family members attended the Blueberry Festival, swam at Black Bank Beach and watched musician cousins Susan Garnier and Wayne Morecombe perform their traditional music on stage.
The weekend created a busy hive of activity at the homes of Kevin and Louise, Hines, Jean and Richard Hinks and Marlene and Allan Farrell, family members still residing in St George's.
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