After reading the discussions/notes concerning memories of the "Good Old Days" my nostalgia sensors kicked in. Having left Verdun in 1952, after graduating VHS, there were lots of memories left behind. Several BAD ones, but MORE of the GOOD ones! The 40's were the best! Verdun was smaller, there were green fields, open spaces just past Crawford Park, Ville Lasalle was hardly populated. A bicycle ride from Verdun along Lasalle Boulevard was an adventure. Pedalling over to 'Caughganawaga' and Chief 'Poking Fire's Teepee, with swims in the river along the way.We rowed out to Nun's Island in an old two pointed row-boat and camped there overnite, there was no bridge, no buildings, Golf course or people.Our little group of friends once swam across to Nun's Island ,knowing where to take a 'stand up break' We shot the RAPIDS in that old boat and survived! We saw the ice breakup every spring and soon rowed out to the island thru the ice floes! Couldn't wait til summer.Swimming at the Nat just after it was built was a blast! Seemed like a long summer, then, but living here in Florida is where the endless summer really is and yep, I'm still into adventures! Actually living the memories and dreams I had then.Verdun was a good beginning, prepared me for adventures in California(25 years) and now Florida! If you want adventure, try sailing! Surfing,Diving and just pedalling a bike, yep, I still do that too! Sez Victah
THANKS for stopping by, I do my best to acknowledge when someone leaves a comment,you do not have to be a member here & everyone is welcome. Ps: This site is monitored but not actively posting on a regular basis. Mostly these are stories & some photos saved from a defunct site known as Verdun Connections which was on MSN Groups initially then on a social network called Multiply.
23 comments:
Hi Victah,
I too now live in the U.S. Isn't it funny, we and
others, are drawn to this message group. For you it's
been 50 years, me, 35 years since living there. It was
indeed a great place to experience and grow up.
Aren't we lucky. Thanks, Jim
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I had the good fortune to live in Verdun than we moved to LaSalle from 1951 to 1959 when it went from Alepin to 9th avenue and LaSalle Blvd to Champlain. You knew everyone as it was such a small place. I went to Bronx Park School from the above years then moved to Verdun to go to high school. People I went to school with were in LaSalle were Walter Strapp, Alan Shibinsky, Eric Koeppe, Patty Shutack, Roland Proctor that I can remember. Over 40 years ago but some things you do not forget like Verdun
Hi I was born and grew up in Verdun went to school at St. Willbrords and you guessed it taught by the nuns. I sent you a picyure of 1st Ave where i lived. I moved away in 1980 to Vancouver B.C. I lost touch with all my friends and i found this site It sure feels good to read stories of my home town iwill go back again for a visit one daybut for now I will keep looking to see if i find an old friend from Verdun .
Hi Dee, W E L C O M E I also was born and brought up in Verdun. I had lived there all my life until 2002 when I retired and moved to Ontario, not as far away as you moved to. I lived at 684 2nd. ave until I was 14 then moved to Stephens and later to Valiquette. Also went to St. Willibrord's School for primary, then to VCH. What was your address on 1st. ave.?
Hi Kay
I lived at 696 1st Ave the O'Neals and Bellwears and Leonardo lived on 2nd Ave.Do any of those names ring a bell??
Let me know ok.
OCBC Dee
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Dee - I moved to Calgary in 1978 from 770 Osborne Avenue - my kids went to St Thomas More school and VCHS. This past summer we went back and spent 2 weeks in a rented Cabin near Knowlton Landing - the owner told us to stop by his friend's place Barry Bellware just up the road from the cabin. He also told us that Barry had some info on land being sold by Ralph Knowlton and we were lucky enough to buy the last 3.5 acre lot overlooking Lake Memphremagog. I drew up house plans and we are having an architect clean them up. Still will be 18 months before we start to build Then a couple of months ago I met Barry's cousin Pete Bellware and his wife Carol on the internet - they live in Alexandria Ontario now. Small World
hiya baxtersmom, I NOTICED YOU LIVED ON OSBORNE UP UNTIL 1978.MAY I ASK HOW LONG U WERE AT THAT ADDRESS PRIOR TO MOVING.I KNEW MANY FAMILYS ON OSBORNE BETWEEN BANNANTYNE AND VERDUN IN THE 60'S AND 70'S.AS A MATTER OF FACT MY DAD STILL LIVES IN VERDUN ON THE CORNER OF BEATTY AND BANNANTYNE.I ALSO KNOW THE BELLEWARES,THE ONES I KNEW LIVED ON VERDUN AVE AND WOODLAND ABOVE THE OLD ROYAL BANK.FIRST NAME JACKIE,NICKNAME SPIKE.BROTHERS THAT WOULD BE ONE 49 AND THE OTHER AROUND 45. MILES BIM LIDDELL
BIM - I lived on Egan for 4 years then moved to Osborne - 770 and our back looked over at our old place. I lived there until 1978 but the rest of the family lived there for few more years. The Bellware I met Barry said that he lived in Verdun he was born around 1948-49 - his cousin Pete is retired as is Barry - think Barry worked for Pharmaceutical company on the West Island but his cousin Pete is in his 60's and lived just beyond Atwater on St. Antoine.
Some families that lived on Osborn - Bishop family - Patty and her older sister - mother worked at Day Care on Verdun Avenue and Moffat. There was a French family up the street from them Ferlands - my son went to school with Jean Ferland and the sister Suzanne who had asthma babysat. Also were the Robson family Jason and his sister and parents and the Emard family - Donald and Normie and their mom. My next door neighbour was Rita Greene - her husband died short time after we moved in and she had a son who was ski instructor named Brian - below Verdun avenue was a family named Bearisto - I worked with Jim and there was also a lady from our office Joyce Prosser who trained me then left.
Brian Greene,, worked with us at Place Ville Marie we worked for Otis Elevator installing elevators, a real great kid, Chuck Catto
WELL THERE U GO MOMBAXTER I LIVED ON VERDUN AVE BETWEEN OSBORNE AND BEATTY UNTIL 1970 WHEN I MOVED TO ALLARD.JOYCE PROSSER COULD WELL BE MY FRIENDS MIKE AND CORRINE PROSSER.I THINK MRS PROSSER STILL LIVES IN VERDUN.JIM BEARISTO I KNEW HIM ALSO,I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH YOUNGER BROTHER DEREK AND I ALSO KNEW DOUGIE THE YOUNGEST I THINK.MIKE PROSSER WRITES IN HERE NOW AND THEN.THERE A COUPLE OF PICS OF HIM IN THE HALL OF FAME PHOTO ALBUM IN THE PICTURE SECTION.WELCOME TO VERDUN CONNECTIONS ENJOY THE SITE. MILES BIM LIDDELL
i lived on osborne and knew brian greene very well i played
football with brian and mike peel i think it was miget for st lambert,brian was
our qb and i was a running back.
Did Mike Peel have a sister Barbara - auburn hair? I went to school (D'Arcy McGee) with a Barbara Peel.
I am not in your age group a little older but I was just talking to my daughter and son-in-law about riding our bikes to caughgnawaga along Lasalle boulevasrd and over Mercier bridge to the little restaurant there on their main street. The had a juke box and we would buy hot doga and dance all afternoon and come back home. We had such greast fun in those days and it is amazing it hardly cost us a cent. The kids today have to pay through the nose for any kind of fun
Hi, I remember walking over Mercier bridge to Caughnawaga (now known as Kahnawake) with my dad to see Chief Poking Fire. There was a big teepee and they used to put on shows (rain dance, sun dance, etc.) I seem to remember they also had souvenir stands. I do remember stopping for hot dogs, fries, etc. Thanks for stirring up those memories. Cheers, Linda
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would you remember wigwam beach over in Caughganawaga. We used to go there swimming. Used to also swam at the Nat - we would walk from Gordon Ave and stay there till 4PM - and never thought twice how far it was at the time. Today I could not do it (hhaha). Do you remember Mr. Jack Groom he would make sure that you took your shower before swimming. Alice Conant
I remember those same spots, the Natatorium, Woodland Park where we saw movies, usually cowboy movies, The dance Hall, the boardwalk, Nun's Island. Do you remember the Leblanc's at the foot of 1st ave where we rented boats and could have a three scoop icecream cone for a nickle. Those where the good old days. Guy
Beaubim did U know Big bad Steve
They had a good beach there until the Seaway came
This message has been deleted due to termination of membership.
This message has been deleted due to termination of membership.
Hi !
Brian and his brother Michael live on the second floor just below us on Osborne street near Verdun street.
My parents have passed away of course. So did my older brother André.
My name is Michel Beaulac. I was born in 46. We lived there until 53.
I gave fond memories of the Green's.
Best regards.
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