Michael P. and M. Dorothy

Michael P. and M. Dorothy (Middleton) McGrillen

Michael and Dorothy decided to immigrate to Canada because of the opportunities available to them in a country not devastated by war. They lived in Birmingham, England during the Second World War. Birmingham sustained heavy bombing during the War. Both Michael (Mac) and Dorothy (Dot) were members of the Birmingham Civil Defense and their job was to assist the wounded and survivors of the bombing raids. It was a heart wrenching experience and one which neither of them liked to discuss.

Dorothy already had family in Niagara Falls, Ontario and so the decision was made to immigrate to that city. Dorothy, although born in England, had lived in Niagara Falls as a young girl. She then returned to England before the War. So she actually immigrated to Canada twice! Mac was originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He had immigrated to Birmingham, England to find work, as many Irish people did at that time. Mac and Dot met at a darts tournament and were married six weeks later in Birmingham. They and their daughter Mary immigrated in Dec. 1946. The trip on the “Aquitania” was a rough crossing and Dorothy suffered from seasickness the entire journey. The ship had a Christmas party for all the youngsters and Mary was given a box of chocolate covered cherries, a real treat after the English rationing. She took the chocolates to share with her mother. Needless to say, the chocolates were not what a seasick person needed! Thereafter, there were no chocolate covered cherries in our house!

The family took the train from Halifax and Mac thought he was in the Arctic Circle as he was used to the milder English and Irish winters. They arrived in Niagara Falls after a detour to Welland and were met at the station by Dorothy’s brother, George Middleton and her sister Helen (Middleton) Lindley/Gascoigne.

The McGrillen’s shared a home with Dorothy’s parents, Stephen and Nellie Middleton in what was then rural Niagara Falls, Ontario. In this country setting, they would raise their daughter Mary and a son Michael George McGrillen who was born in 1949 in Niagara Falls. Both children enjoyed the freedom of a country childhood.

The family of four moved to Stamford Centre in the mid 1950’s. Mac and Dot worked hard at many jobs and were determined that their children would have opportunities that had not been available to them. Mac was a long time employee of Ontario Hydro and Dorothy was Head Cashier at the Super Save Supermarket for many years. In one of her earlier jobs at the Honey Dew Restaurant, Dot met Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotton who were in Niagara Falls filming the movie “Niagara”. It was a thrilling experience indeed.

They were very proud when both Mary and Michael attended post- secondary college and university programmes. Their graduations were a cause for celebration.

Mac and Dot had 4 grandchildren, one of whom immigrated back to England! Their other three grandchildren live in Canada, two in Ontario and one in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There are also 4 great grandchildren, at the time of this writing. Michael P. and M. Dorothy McGrillen were willing to take a chance and to make the journey to a new country. All of their family is grateful that they did. Thanks Mum and Dad.

Respectfully submitted: (March 2013) by Mary (McGrillen) Ransom & Michael G. McGrillen, their children.