亚洲天堂 Lake resident Cliff Stronstad held hands with Prime Minister St. Laurent exactly 70 years ago last month, recalled the family on his 75 birthday.
Cliff, who was born on Sept. 2, 1947, moved with his family to 亚洲天堂 Lake in 1960 and delivered newspapers to most of the village as a kid. When he was just five years old, however, his father took him to the train station in Smithers to meet who the child was told was 鈥渁n important man鈥�.
In late August 1952, the then Prime Minister (PM) St. Laurent, with his wife and one of his daughters, made a two-week long trip to western Canada, a week of which was spent in British Columbia. During this week, the PM and his party then took the train to Smithers, where school children were given a half day鈥檚 holiday in order to see and hear the PM. It was then that Cliff had the opportunity to meet with the PM.
So, what does Cliff, now a retired auto restorer in 亚洲天堂 Lake, remember of this auspicious occasion? Only that he was bewildered at being told to hold hands with a stranger, said Terry Kennedy, his sister-in-law adding that Cliff鈥檚 older brother, Roger, remembered being jealous of his brother鈥檚 colourful jacket at that time.
These memories were revisited as 70 years passed this year since the meeting of a little boy of five, with the Prime Minister of Canada.
Cliff later operated an autobody shop in 亚洲天堂 Lake called the Pluto Autobody, for 38 years, and still has a passion for cars. In fact, just recently, his hearse won the 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Choice鈥� award at the A&W Cruise for MS in Prince George and continues to do custom work, said his wife of 34 years, Dawn.
Cliff and Dawn have two daughters 鈥� Amy (VandenHoek), married to Warren VandenHoek and Jody (Stronstad) (graduated from LDSS) and grandcat, Pippin.
Earlier this month, his family celebrated his birthday with their family tradition of cutting a chocolate cake with friends and family.
According to his wife, Cliff still remembers who lived where when he drives through the village.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cute because when Cliff meets people he鈥檒l often be heard saying 鈥業 delivered papers to your parents鈥� (or your grandparents鈥�)!鈥�
When asked what Cliff thought of his life so far, meeting the PM, running a successful business and turning 75, Dawn said maybe he will make the age of 99 like his brother-in-law and be able to finish all the projects he is dreaming of doing.
