First Communion

It is the summer of 1954 and seven year old Pat is about to make his First Communion at Saint Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church. In this sixth installment of “Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville”, Pat recalls the special occasion led by Father Nowlan and the Bishop. First Communion Written by Pat Fournier…

Read More

School Daze

The date is September 8, 1953 and it’s Pat Fournier’s first day of school. In this next installment of “Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville”, join Pat as he walks the mile and a half trek to school, while sharing memories of the people and places along the way. School Daze Written by…

Read More

Memories of War: George Routledge

Roland “George” Routledge was born on February 17, 1938 in Amherst, Nova Scotia. He enlisted as a peacekeeper with the Canadian Forces on August 26, 1955 and was with the Black Watch (B.W.) Depot until February 1956 in Sussex, New Brunswick. From February of that year to November 1959 he was with the B.W. 2…

Read More

Coronation Day

It’s June 2, 1953 and the citizens of Blackville are celebrating Coronation Day – the day Princess Elizabeth of England is crowned queen. In this third installment of “Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville”, Pat Fournier recalls the festivities of that day, along with recollections of the milkman Mr. Vickers, Jim MacKenzie’s horse…

Read More

Memories of War: Benjamin & Helen Campbell

Benjamin & Helen Campbell

In late January, I was approached by the Blackville Women’s Institute and asked to participate in their Heritage Day celebrations.  Heritage Week is celebrated in communities throughout New Brunswick each year. This years theme was New Brunswick Remembers: 1914-2014, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War and the…

Read More

First Memories

The next installment of “Memories of A Boy Growing Up in Blackville” features Pat Fournier recalling his earliest memories from his childhood, between the ages of three and five years old. First Memories Written by Pat Fournier Winter of 1950/51 – three years old We were living in some rented rooms in the big two…

Read More

Memories of a Boy Growing Up in Blackville

Pat Fournier was born and raised in Blackville. In a series of short stories, Pat will share his memories of the place, of the people and of his life as a boy growing up in Blackville. In this first installment, Pat sets the scene of his childhood neighbourhood. An Introduction Written by Pat Fournier This…

Read More

Burned Out – A short story by Pat Fournier

Standing in what is left of our home: Terrence Walls with his hand on Eric Underhill’s shoulder, Jim MacKenzie, Michael McLaughlin, and Dale MacKenzie. You can see our swing tree in the back yard, and a pile of firewood by the back fence.

In 1957, nine year old Pat Fournier witnessed his family home burn down. In the short story below, Pat shares his memories of that time and how the family of seven overcame a tragic loss to have one of their best Christmases ever. Burned Out Written by Pat Fournier January 31, 1957 – nine years…

Read More

Another Year Wiser

Back in 2006 I was involved in a project that’s goal was to pay tribute to the local men and women who served our country during times of war.  The project, which was a book called Remembering Our Veterans, was a joint venture between the Blackville Access Centre and members of the community.  One of…

Read More

Blackville Celebrates Heritage Day

The Blackville Women’s Institute recently hosted an afternoon of stories and music to celebrate our heritage on February 16 at the Community Center. This year’s theme was War and Peace. The afternoon began with a welcome from Women’s Institute president Lillian Brennan. Local residents Frank Myers and Roy MacRae kept the large group entertained by…

Read More