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News Update
“The Grandfather Clocks” by Chuck Joynt, London, Ontario
By: J.Mesic, Chief Correspondent
6 min read
March 22, 2025
“Life in the Branch Network - An Unusual Trip to the Sub-Agency” by Dave Harmer, Editor
March 11, 2025
You may recall on February 6th, I wrote about some memorable or unusual incidents or situations that I was involved in while working as Administration Manager of Simcoe branch in the early 1970’s. This is a continuation of that story. Click here to read, “An Unusual Trip to the Sub-Agency”.
(In case you missed the first one, “The Theatre” click here
Simcoe Branch 1937
If you have any comments regarding this story or would like to submit a letter or story of your own, please contact the BMO Cyber Pensioners News team at cyberpensioner@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.
Letter to the Editor - Re: “Movies’” by Earl Hansford, Surrey, British Columbia
March 8, 2025
We recently received the following letter from John Myers about his childhood memories of going to the movies in Liverpool, England. Ironically, John’s memories are similar to Fred Stephen’s reminiscences he sent us on March 4th, 2025
“Following on from Fred Stephen’s story of going to the movies in Glasgow, I have a similar story from almost the same time.
The Granada cinema was right next door to our house in Liverpool. My grandmother, who lived with us, was a big fan of movies, particularly American ones. Like Fred there was a special program on Saturday mornings for kids and my Nana would give me the sixpence to go. I don’t recall a club song but do remember vividly the movies and cartoons we got to see - almost entirely American in origin. The cartoons were Tom & Jerry, Mighty Mouse and others of that ilk.
There was always a serial, my favourite was Flash Gordon, where the ending each week placed the hero in mortal danger only for him to miraculously survive in the next episode. Cowboy movies starring Hopalong Cassidy, Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, and Gene Autry, the latter two the famous singing cowboys, were a familiar main billing. I loved every minute of it.
Come to think of it there wasn’t much for girls!”
John Myers, Chicago, Illinois
Letter to the Editor - re: “Movies” by Earl Hansford, Surrey, British Columbia
March 4, 2025
We are pleased to share with you the following letter from Fred Stephen about Earl Hansford’s recent story which was published on February 17, 2025.
“Loved reading Earl Hansford’s memories of movie nights in small town Saskatchewan. It brought back my memories in the early fifties going to the Saturday morning club at the Gaumont cinema in Glasgow, Scotland. While not such adventurous travel getting there, mine was a fifteen minute walk, it was a fun morning beginning with a sing-along of the club’s song, an episode of Dan Dare and a feature movie. Our club song went like this:
‘We come along on Saturday mornings greeting everybody with a smile;We come along on Saturday mornings
Knowing it is well worth while;
As members of the GB club we all intend to be;
Good citizens when we grow up and champions of the free.
We come along on Saturday mornings greeting everybody with a smile, smile, smile.
Greeting everybody with a smile!’
It cost us sixpence to get in each week! Thanks for the memory”.
Fred Stephen, Kelowna, British Columbia
BMO Sudbury/Northern Ontario Luncheon
March 4, 2025
BMO Pensioners in Sudbury/Northern Ontario Luncheon was held on February 21, 2025 at Wacky Wings in Sudbury.
We all wanted to support our local restaurant before it closed for the last time on Mar 17th. As you can see the decor was decorated true northern style.
So many laughs, great stories were shared, it was wonderful to be able to catch up on what everyone was doing during these very cold winter days and the food was excellent. We all joined in to sing Happy Birthday to Marilyn Moogy who just turned 80!
Going around the table starting on the left side: Marg Kosmerly, Carmen Colette, Stella Laforge, Judy Day, Margarie Taylor, Annette Whitmore, Betty Johnston, Marilyn Moogy (our birthday girl), Linda Whitman, Pamela Kutchaw, Elise Denis and Cathy Peason.
Of course there is always one in the crowd that has to take that selfie picture, yup that's me.. Rose Sigouin. Missing was Gale Hanson-Parke and Sue Landry
Submitted by: Rose Sigouin, BMO Sudbury/Northern Ontario Representative
Click Here to view all the photos.
Vancouver Island BOMPA Social
March 3, 2025
February 19th saw 42 BOMPAVI attendees at Jack’s on the Water, a seaside restaurant in Sidney, BC. Based on the noise level, it was clear everyone was pleased to see one another and had a fun time socializing and catching up with gossip! Everyone is looking forward to spring arriving, as well as summer, when we will meet again and continue to renew old friendships (‘old’ getting to be the operative word!)
Cheers
Joan Firkins
Click Here to view all the photos.
Southern Alberta BOMPA - Stage West Dinner Theatre
March 1, 2025
Please join us for our next Stage West experience. 'FOOTLOOSE' --- The explosive movie musical bursts onto the live stage! Wednesday matinee -- May 14, 2025
For more details click here
Invite to the Spring Quarterly of the BMO Pensioners Central Ontario Chapter
February 22, 2025
You are invited to the Spring Quarterly Meeting of the BMO Financial Group Pensioners Central Ontario Chapter. It will be held at The Heintzman House - 135 Baythorn Drive, Thornhill, L3T 3V1 at 1:00 PM on Tuesday April 8, 2025.
Click Here for the Agenda.
Gabby Winterstein
“Movies” by Earl Hansford, Surrey, British Columbia
J.Mesic, Chief Correspondent
3 min read
February 17, 2025
BOMPA BC Lower Mainland - OSF Lunch, February 11, 2025
February 15, 2025
There was a toast to St. Valentine by the thirteen BOMPA lunch attendees at the Old Spaghetti Factory in New Westminster on February 11th. Attendance was struck a blow by unexpected appointments, flu-like symptoms, and even snowbird activities. We cannot claim snow, sleet, hail, etc. had any part in it.
Nevertheless, the group was animated, and hearing aids were mandatory but not helpful. All agreed it was another very pleasant time with fellow pensioners.
Some changes have been suggested this year, and we expect the next get-together will be in May, on a Wednesday or Thursday, mid-month. Perhaps at another convenient New Westminster location or OSF (which seems to have garnered general approval by our group). Feedback is encouraged and may even be considered. 
This is a suitable time to thank Dorothy for much work in 2024 and Cheryl for pitching in whenever needed. A better crew would be hard to muster. Pictures by Chizuko but not of her, unfortunatel
Thanks to Earl Hansford and Ron Gillies for the report.
Letter to the Editor - Re: Kent Webster, South Surrey, British Columbia - August 3, 1932 - November 7, 2024
February 15, 2025
We would like to thank Earl Hansford, Surrey, B.C. for his email advising us of Kent Webster’s passing on November 7, 2024. On April 11, 2024 we posted a birthday celebration article about Kent when he was 91 going on 92 August 3, 2024. (The article can be found in our archive.) On behalf of our BMO Cyber Pensioners Community we would like to extend our sincere condolences to Kent’s wife Karen, family and friends.
“I am sorry to report the passing of Kent Webster on November 7th, 2024. He turned 92 on August 3rd last. Kent retired in 1992 as one of two Agriculture Managers in B.C. at the time. He was born in Manitoba to a farming family. He attained a BSc (Agriculture) at the University of Manitoba and worked for the Manitoba Agriculture Credit Corporation before moving to BMO in 1977 as an Agriculture Manager in Saskatoon. Subsequently, in 1981 he and his wife Karen moved to Vancouver. During the next 11 years he became well and favourably known to our Agri lenders and BC farmers.
Kent wrote a very entertaining story of his life which was posted on the BMO Cyber Pensioners website. The correspondent of the latter aptly commented that Kent was “a wonderful person who is smart, pragmatic, adaptable, humorous and so much more.” It recalled the words he used to finish his story, “Every year is a chance to do something new…..and so far I plan to enjoy my 93rd birthday. Life is a peach!” Kent had a great attitude.
(Karen advises: At Kent’s request there will be no service or celebration . Enjoy your lives in his memory.)”
Earl Hansford, Surrey, British Columbia
If you have any comments regarding this letter or would like to submit a letter or story of your own, please contact the BMO Cyber Pensioners News team at cyberpensioner@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.
BOMPA - Southern Alberta, Events Update
February 11,2025
"Life in the Branch Network" by Dave Harmer, Editor
February 6, 2025
Introduction
Looking back on life in the branch network before computerization in the very early 1970’s, routine daily operations generally followed those prescribed in the hallowed Policies and Procedures (P&P) manuals and exhortations in routine circulars. However from time to time, unusual situations or incidents occurred and tend to stand out in my memory.
I joined the bank in 1970 in Simcoe, Ontario as a management trainee on a 12 month program. In those days, despite a requirement that trainees had often significant previous experience, some older hands in the bank “lovingly” referred to it as the “add water and mix and incredibly you have a Manager” program.
After just 7 months and probably to the horror of those that trained me, I was anointed as the branch Administration Manager. The branch at the time had an authorized complement of 30 plus and also operated a sub-agency in Nanticoke.
So what were some of those memories? Click Here to find out.
If you have any comments regarding this story or would like to submit a letter or story of your own, please contact the BMO Cyber Pensioners News team at cyberpensioner@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you. .
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January 2025
Evelin Welk - Maple Ridge, British Columbia - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
November 2024
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July 2024
Eric Rowsell - Ottawa, Ontario - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
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Cliff Lloyd, - London, Ontario - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
February 2024
Bernie Edwards, - Delta, British Columbia - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
November 2023
Desmond Kavanagh, - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
March 2023
Dorothy Hutchinson, Langley, British Columbia - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
February 2023
Darwen Lowe, St. Thomas, Ontario - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
November 2022
Lloyd Varner, Sackville, New Brunswick - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
Anne Reed, Ajax, Ontario - “90 and Older Birthday Celebrations”
Colin Bartlett, Parksville, British Columbia - "90 and older Birthday Celebrations”
March 2025
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February 2025
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New Members
Mar 26 2025
Richard Roy of Barrie, ON
Mar 22 2025
Doreen Henderson of Brinston, ON
Stephen Lefavve of Gananoque, ON
Mar 17, 2025
Ian Vessey of Grand Lake, NS
Mar 7, 2025
Mark Neilson of Gilmour, ON
Mar 6, 2025
Patricia Davidson of Grafton, ON
Mar 3, 2025
Christina Chen of North York, ON
Feb 28, 2025
Peter Hazleden of London, ON
Feb 26, 2025
Robert Potter of Victoria, BC
Ronald Taberner of Surrey, BC
Feb 12, 2025
Connie Kaltenback of Calgary, AB
Feb 9, 2025
Jake Fiddick of Burnaby, BC
Feb 7, 2025
Angela Anderson of Ottawa, ON
Feb 4, 2025
Dianne Carmichael of Scarborough, ON
Birgith Linterman of Kamloops, BC
Feb 3, 2025
Dianne Jackson of Innisfil, ON
Donna-Marie Fennell of Peterborough, ON
Jan 31, 2025
Carmenita Rubino of Woodbridge, ON
Ted Witkowski of Mississauga, ON
Jan 29, 2025
Christian Rioux of Lachine, QC
Jan 28, 2025
Earla Rogers of Waterdown, ON
