It seems to be rare today that an employee stays for any serious length of time so, when one does, it’s like becoming a member of a family.
Although it was a retirement celebration on Thursday, June 26th at Mowbray’s Canadian Tire in Port Elgin for long-standing staffer, Ernie Oliver, this week (Mon. – Fri. July 4th) is his actual final week of work, for those who didn’t have a chance to say goodbye.
On Thursday, staff gathered round as owner Mike Mowbray thanked Ernie for his many years of service. “When Ernie first came to our store and we talked, I said then that, if he ever wanted a job, he had one,” said Mowbray. “Since then, 16 years later, he has become a legend, and with that ready sense of Newfoundland humour, he knows almost everyone who comes into the store … he is definitely going to be missed.”
Former employees, and many customers who came in to say goodbye, congratulated Ernie on his retirement.
Eleanor Mowbray presented Ernie with a mantle clock. “This clock is a reflection of the time that you’ve been with us as part of our Canadian Tire family and bears an inscription to reflect that,” said Mowbray.
For larger view, click on image
Time marches on and, for Ernie, he decided that the time had come to move on to retirement. “Brenda and I like to travel but I know she’s going to have things for me to do around home.”
