Memories of Fred
It was May 1975; I was 18 years old and just starting my first real job with EPA in Gander. I met many great people in those early years, some of them my age and others who were old enough to be my grand-father. One of those older father figures was Fred Brown.
I was lucky enough to be assigned on a crew that included Fred. Even though there was a 30 year age difference, we connected right away and I spent many hours listening to his stories about the harsh times working in the early days of Aviation. Our relationship led to us being friends away from work. There were many trips up to Nor'west Gander on our days off, staying at Ron Smith's cabin with Ron and his father Ron Sr, Rex Hapgood, Don Jewer and Chris Freake. Snaring rabbits was our favorite past time during those trips and we also certainly enjoyed those great scoffs. Then there were our snow mobile trips to Indian Bay, spending many cold hours on the ponds ice fishing for those great Indian Bay trout. I remember my old Alouette breaking down on Benton Pond. Luckily Fred had his tool box.
Little did I know that when I first met Fred, we would end up having a life long family connection. My wife Debbie, is the sister of Fred's daughter in law, Gloria...who is married to his son Carl. This family connection has led to my being present at many of Fred's birthdays, and at other special family get togethers, over the past 35 years. Any time Fred and I were together we enjoyed talking about the past and the good times that we enjoyed on our trips to the great NL outdoors.
Fred, as one of the pioneers of aviation in Gander, you have earned your wings.
Posted by Kevin Pike
Monday November 25, 2013 at 10:01 pm
