Norman St. Aubin
Class of 1937
A conversation with our celebrity turned out to be not only informative but also nostalgic. Norman, a raconteur par excellence with a prodigious talent for detail, is a gold mine of knowledge about local maritime history and technology.
He recalled when the train to school from his Vaudreuil home cost $2.50 a month. No school buses in those days! His after-school life focused on repairing, as well as operating, cars and engines. This knowledge equipped him with valuable skills. (Apparently, the English-speaking girls were another attraction in the Hudson locale!)
He noted that in 1937 Macdonald was a demonstration school for the Education faculty at Macdonald College. He spoke highly of his teachers, including the redoubtable Miss Grace Revel, who were hand-picked role models for Macdonald College students. He produced a Grade 11 report card which demonstrated that he had offered them a challenge! Barely sixteen, he graduated from “Mac”.
A very young Norman served in the RCAF during WWII, as part of the vital ground crew in Gander, Newfoundland. Shortly after the war, he purchased Marina Ste. Anne across from the Post Office, with another Mac grad, Ivan Brown. The Marina enterprise soon became successful and the partners took pride in building its reputation. Perhaps he derives his greatest joy from the Marina itself, which still boasts a few of the “old-fashioned” pieces of equipment that function as well as ever.
The Marina is now owned by yet another Macdonald graduate, Kerry Gillings!
Norman met his wife Marjorie (Marge), also a Macdonald grad, after high school, at a ski resort. They enjoyed a happy marriage until, sadly, Marge passed away in January, 2007. Because home is in Hudson, both of their sons attended Hudson High.
When asked to what he attributes his extraordinarily good health, memory, wit and joie de vivre, Norman stated that he never smoked and always tried to work hard in the fresh air every day. He still does!
Submitted by Don Barnes,
Vice Principal (retired)
