Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week we attended the funeral of John Carroll in Hay River. Born in Newfoundland in 1925, John had a very interesting life. At age 16 he left Newfoundland, which was still a British colony at that time. He became a school teacher and a monk with the Irish-Christian Brotherhood in Harlem, New York; a very unique way of starting a teaching career.
After seven years, he took a break from teaching, moved to Montreal, becoming a Canadian citizen when Newfoundland became a part of Canada in 1949. In Montreal, John worked in the scientific research department of Canadair Bombardier helping to design and build airplanes.
In 1963 he thought is was time for a change and arrived in Fort Simpson to resume his teaching career. If Montreal to Fort Simpson wasn't drastic enough, in 1964 John taught for one year in Jean Marie River before returning to Fort Simpson in 1965. That's where he met and married his wife, Marilyn, and their first child, Sharla, was born.
John had broken his thumb as a child and some of his students in the Deh Cho didn't speak English. He taught math and so used his thumb and fingers to convey mathematical theory. His students called him Melachie, a South Slavey word for crooked thumb. A few weeks ago one of his students from 40 years ago walked into the Stanton Hospital. It was late at night and the lights were dim, but as they passed by they said, "Hey, Melachie." That lifted John's spirits and brought a smile to his face.
John was a guidance counsellor for many years at the Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River. An inordinate number of students sought guidance counselling in his office. It was later found out that John allowed his students to smoke in his office.
John will be greatly missed by his wife, Marilyn, who was an educator in Hay River for many years as well; his daughter, Sharla, who many will know through her work in our government with Health and Social Services; his son, J.J., and J.J.'s wife, Maureen, and his grandson, Alex.
John Carroll was a man of extraordinary kindness, patience and courage. He faced numerous hardships with his health in recent years, but took each challenge with a cheerful heart. He didn't let his confinement to a wheelchair stop him, as he would be often seen going about his day in his motorized scooter. He was a cherished member of the ROT Society in Hay River -- the Retired Old Teachers Society -- a society that which non-members only wonder about, but seems to have a large following.
Today I want to recognize John Carroll's commitment to Hay River, to the North, and to the many students that he helped along the way. The North was blessed to know him. His family, friends and neighbours will greatly miss him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause