Johnny were 12 or 13 and for quite a few summers I would spend a couple of weeks with my cousin Johnny Dunn in Acton and he would spend a couple of weeks with me in Oshawa.

This story took place in Oshawa one summer and my mom, Irma, was in need of a loaf of bread for supper so we were sent to Johnny’s Grill (no relationship) at the lake to pick up a loaf. We picked up the loaf and decided to take a short cut through the coal piles on the return trip. I was in Navy League cadets at the time of the story and wanted to show Johnny the Cutters that we rowed. They were docked at the wood break wall that separated the harbour from the Oshawa Creek. This break wall was made of 10 x 10 wood pylons and to reach the cutters you needed to walk on the tops of the pylons. Johnny was carrying the bread and on the way back he slipped and fell in the harbour side. He immediately raised the bread into the air as he sputtered and splashed one handed to the shore, but it was too late the bread was as soaked as Johnny was. We could not stop laughing at our misfortune as Johnny sloshed home. We tried to come up with a tall tale to tell my folks, but finally decided that truth sounded like fabrication enough. My penalty was to fetch another loaf while Johnny was scolded.

This exploit should not keep him from entering heaven. We will miss you John.

Ron Backwell