Who Am I?

                                          MY STORY

 

I was born in England, the youngest of three boys. My parents emigrated to Canada in 1960 — my father bringing his skills as a textile colorist to Dominion Textile, the Mill that anchored so many Townships families. We settled in Magog, where I grew up attending Princess Elizabeth Elementary and later Alexander Galt Regional High School in Lennoxville before studying at Bishop's University.

​

I grew up in those wonderful years when we spilled out of bed and played our hearts out, only coming home for a quick bite or when the street lights came on. The vivid memories of that post-war baby boom neighbourhood are etched into my storytelling soul.

​

The Townships got into my blood early and never let go.

I played hockey for the first 20 years of my life and curled competitively for the next 40. I taught for 44 years — for the Eastern Townships School Board among others — running schools and learning that the best lessons are always wrapped in a good story. I also play guitar, and since my knee replacement, Marie-Pier and I have traded the rink for the Camino — walking two pilgrimages together and counting.

​

I met Marie-Pier in 2010 and married her in 2014, the best decision I ever made. Between us we've woven a beautifully blended family: my two sons, her three boys and one daughter, and seven grandchildren with one more on the way. Home is the on the shores of Lake Lovering in Canton Stanstead, though our hearts have recently stretched north to Quebec's Lower North Shore, where I have been teaching and Marie-Pier leads the CS du Littoral with inspiring leadership as the Director general.

​

If you think Jamie Thompson in the novel might be  slightly inspired by my son Jamie, you're right. Write what you know. And I know the Townships. Its colours, its stories, and yes — its magic.