Erkelens Jacobus Jaap

Arrived in Canada on the S.S. Maasdam, March 1954 at the age of 23 from Ness a/d Amstel, Netherlands.

Worked as a farmhand in Chesterville ON, a labourer on the St. Lawrence Seaway building project.

Bought a ‘49 Ford and headed west to BC to work on the railroad from Squamish to Prince George. He still owns and drives his Ford.

Came to the Outaouais region of QC to visit Dutch friends, worked as a bulldozer operator at a paper mill in Thurso QC and as a rigger and bridge builder in Buckingham, QC.

Moved east to Nova Scotia and worked building the Victoria Bridge in Cape Breton. Returned to QC, bought a dairy farm in Thurso QC and farmed for 24 years.

For the past 32 years, works as a caretaker for a private hunting club on the QC side of the Ottawa River.

Proud father of 5 children, 3 living in the Outaouais region and 2 in Holland, grandfather of 11, great-grandfather of 6.

For over sixty years, Canada has provided me with exceptional life and work experiences and for that I thank you Canada.

A very thankful and proud Dutch-born Canadian.

J. Erkelens