Wedding Bells: Gordon McLean and Megan Corns

Written by Harold McNeill on June 28th, 2016. Posted in Tim Hortons Morning Posts


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Gordon and Megan share a moment while cutting their cake.
Link Here to Story Photos

Hello Old Friends and New,

What a great four days at the Jasper Park Lodge with the Corns/McLean extended families and friends. It seems only yesterday Roy, Maggie, Dan, Ben, Megan, John, and Alison (then just two years old) moved in next to our home in Victoria, British Columbia. Over the years the Corns family filled our lives with many fond memories and after attending the wedding of Megan and Gordon it is clear the friendship will extend for many years into the future.        

While much has changed in our neighbourhood since the family moved to Edmonton, we still hold fond memories of the kids and that basketball hoop at the end of our cul de sac that was in constant play. Today a hockey net has replaced the hoop, but the laughter of children that brought so much joy to our hearts in the past, continues to this day.

The visit to Jasper also again reminded us of how small the world has become. It only took a few hours of getting to know the other guests to realize that more than half of those present were either born, lived, studied or worked in countries other than Canada and those countries spread to the four corners of the earth. This group is another reminder that building bridges to the four corners of the earth will serve us much better than building walls.

More amazing still is that many of those I met are now living and working in communities in or near cities and towns where I spent much of my early life (e.g. Vermillion, Turtleford, Westlock, Edmonton, Fort McMurry, Red Deer and dozens of other places etc.). For that matter one family from Edmonton lives no more than a stones throw from the home in which my family lived in 1949 at 12237, 95th Street, a time when Edmonton boasted a population of 137,000 and our home was on the very west edge of the city. Today the next block is now the Yellow Head Highway. Link: McNeill Family in Edmonton

Because so many of the family and friends attending the wedding were from other parts of the world, the best I could do to capture the memories was to keep the shutter clicking as we filled the days with fun and laugher.   Because I could not keep up with all the names, I have placed a selection of photos on an open Facebook Page and hope that each of you will take a few moments to list the names of those you recognize (including yourselves of course). With the Corns on one side and the McLean’s on the other, we should be able to tag almost everyone.

Over the four days I learned a bit about many of you as we spoke of people, places and careers in which our lives have intersected. I am hoping we can connect on FB or by email as a means to remain connected in the coming years as you can be sure Lynn and I would love the opportunity to show you around Victoria and the Vancouver Island. Also, because Lynn and I have been known to occasionally venture forth into this wide world, you never know when one day we may land on your doorstep.

Please take a moment to add your name into the Facebook Page and if you wish to send a friend request to my regular FB Page, you can be sure I will accept.   If you prefer email that also works as a means of keeping in touch.

With respect to photos, I will link them to other in our family who live in your cities and towns and who you may one day run across. Comments in specific photos will explain the background as I remember.

I hope that those of you who have travelled so far for the wedding will have an opportunity to enjoy other parts of Canada before you return, and for those who have taken up residence in Canada, that you will find it a welcoming and loving place to begin a career and perhaps a family.

As Megan and Gordon began their married lives it is clear they will be surrounded by many good folks who are working hard to make this world a better place and who will form the backbone of their family and friends base.

All the Best,

Harold, Lynn and Family

Links:

McNeill Life Stories Blog:

McNeill Life Stories Facebook Page:

Harold McNeill Facebook Page:

Lynn McNeill Facebook Page:

Harold Email: lowerislandsoccer@shaw.ca
Cell: 250-889-1033

Lynn Email: lynnmcneill@shaw.ca
Cell: 250-893-1033

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Comments

  • Mike Fedorowich

    September 1, 2023 |

    I have gone through the above noted text and have found it quite informative.
    I am a former member with several law enforcement agencies from across Canada.
    I worked in the First Nations service under the authority of the RCMP with the over sight of the OPP. My law enforcement service was conducted under the authority of the Nishnawbe – Aski Police Service in North West Ontario the Louis Bull Police Sevice in Hobbema AB, the Kitasoo Xaixais Police Service in Northern in side passage on Swindle Island, the Lac Suel Police Service North West Ontario and the Vancouver Transit Authority Sky Train Police Service. I’m presently dealing with an RCMP member for falsifying a report against me for a road rage event. Court case is finished and the charge was dropped but I have an on going complaint with the member and have forwarded to the WATCH DOGS IN OTTAWA FOR the RCMP review and consideration. I believe the said officer is in violation of his oath of office and should be held accountable for falsifying his RTCC all the while dragging me through the court system here in Nanaimo. RCMP continue to stonewall the appeal but Ottawa and the crowns office are still looking into the matter. if your able and find the time or the interest in this very brief introduction, I would very much like to speak with you and would be grateful to hear any wisdom that may come across from your end. I served with First Nations Police Services for ten years in isolation and six years with Transit Police out of New West Minster. I do value and appreciate any time you could spare to chat for a bit on this particular subject matter. Respectfully with out anger but an open mind, Mike Fedorowich Nanaimo BC 250 667 0060

  • Harold McNeill

    February 28, 2022 |

    Hi Robert, I do remember some of those folks from my early years in Cold Lake (Hazel was my aunt and our family spent many fond times with Uncle Melvin, Aunt Hazel and Family. I knew Lawrence and Adrian. Having read a half dozen accounts it is clear their were many false narratives and, perhaps, a few truths along the way. I tried my best to provide an even account from what I read. Cheers, Harold. (email: Harold@mcneillifestories.com)

  • Robert Martineau

    February 25, 2022 |

    Its been a long time since any post here, but its worth a shot. My Grandfather was Hazel Wheelers brother Lawrence, and son to Maggie and Adrien. Maggie Martineau (nee Delaney) is my great grandmother. The books and articles to date are based on the white mans viewpoint and the real story as passed down by the Elders in my family is much more nefarious. Some of the white men were providing food for the Indians in exchange for sexual favors performed by the Squaws. Maggie was the product of one of those encounters. Although I am extremely proud of my family and family name, I am ashamed about this part of it.

  • Julue

    January 28, 2022 |

    Good morning Harold!
    Gosh darn it, you are such a good writer. I hope you have been writing a book about your life. It could be turned into a movie.
    Thanks for this edition to your blog.
    I pray that Canadians will keep their cool this weekend and next week in Ottawa. How do you see our PM handling it? He has to do something and quick!
    Xo Julie

  • Herb Craig

    December 14, 2021 |

    As always awesome job Harold. It seems whatever you do in life the end result is always the same professional, accurate, inclusive and entertaining. You have always been a class act and a great fellow policeman to work with. We had some awesome times together my friend. I will always hold you close as a true friend. Keep up the good work. Hope to see you this summer.
    Warm regards
    Herb Craig

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Hi Dorthy, So glad you found those stories and, yes, they hold many fond memories. Thanks to social media and the blog, I’ve been able to get in touch with many friends from back in the day. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Well, well. Pleased to see your name pop up. I’m in regular contact via FB with many ‘kids’ from back in our HS days (Guy, Dawna, Shirley and others). Also, a lot of Cold Lake friends through FB. Cheers, Harold

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Oh, that is many years back and glad you found the story. I don’t have any recall of others in my class other than the Murphy sisters on whose farm my Dad and Mom worked.

  • Harold McNeill

    November 26, 2021 |

    Pleased to hear from you Howie and trust all is going well. As with you, I have a couple of sad stories of times in my police career when I crossed paths with Ross Barrington Elworthy. Just haven’t had the time to write those stories.

  • Howie Siegel

    November 25, 2021 |

    My only fight at Pagliacci’s was a late Sunday night in 1980 (?) He ripped the towel machine off the bathroom wall which brought me running. He came after me, I grabbed a chair and cracked him on the head which split his skull and dropped him. I worried about the police finding him on the floor. I had just arrived from Lasqueti Island and wasn’t convinced the police were my friends. I dragged him out to Broad and Fort and left him on the sidewalk, called the cops. They picked him up and he never saw freedom again (as far as I know). I found out it was Ross Elworthy.