damanbeatty

[damanbeatty]

Dr. David Beatty Remembrance Day Address Nov 9, 2001 - Alvah E Carter

Mount Allison University brings you the 2001 edition of Dr. David Pierce Beatty's annual Remembrance Day address. 

The title of this year's address is "A Life Given for Others: A Nova Scotia Boy, Sergeant Alvah E. Carter, killed in World War 1."

#remembrance day #remembranceday #veteransday #veterans day #soldier #wolrd war #worldwar1 #worldwar2 #ww1 #ww2 #war stories #veterans #remembrance #lestweforget #lest we forget

[damanbeatty]

My new obsession is healthy air, fuelled by the companion app for our Dyson air filter with its live readout of air quality inside vs. outside. Today, I've opened all the windows; the outside reading is excellent - something new!

According to firesmoke dot ca it is only a brief reprieve until the smoke rolls back in, so enjoy!

October 22, 2022

#air quality #weather #air filter #climate news #enviromental #climate emergency

[damanbeatty]

1952 High School Grad Write-Up by David Beatty (My Father) Gives a Glimpse at Growing Up in Wartime Era

NOTE: This was written by a Williamston High School student, David Pierce Beatty and we think it reveals a most remarkable insight into a situation which is the only thing he has ever known. It is published without editing.

-The Editor, The Williamston Enterprise (Williamston, Michigan) 1952.

A Short Way Off.

For around fifty modest seniors here in Williamston the end of a grand and glorious era is near at hand. In just a few more fleeting weeks the class of "52" will be but a page of history. The page will be stamped with a seal of the grand old sanctuary of Williamston High and the names written there will be a living memorial to a great generation of young people.

This courageous class of young people about to step out into a new atomic age that is but eight years old has never seen a peaceful, settled year since its birth in the early Thirtys. As the members of "52" came into this world the fangs of depression had torn deeply into the flesh of human happiness and welfare. The teeth marks of this great disaster left huge scars which were healed while we were just learning to walk and talk. 

It was while we were yet pulling pig-tails and playing drop the handkerchief that the bloodiest and most terrifying of all wars was in the making. And while we were learning our multiplication tables we heard Gabreal Heater tell of Pearl Harbor and DHDay, the Battle of the Bulge, Dunkirk and the Capture of the Phillippines. How well we remember that New Years Day when McArthur took Manila. How many ,there were in this great class whose throats at Churchill's "Blood, Sweat and Tears". How many there are whose brothers and uncles and dads never came back. Each and every one remembers the inch by inch fight to V-J Day.

This is the kind of a world we were born into and raised up in. This is not the complete story of "52" though. With the promises of peace everywhere at hand we entered high school at the time of one of the greatest political upsets in our national history, the election of 1948. While the boys started growing whiskers and the girls started wearing lipstick, unemployment raged and FFA members sold 32 cent hogs. Russia exploded an atomic bomb and somebody started a war in Korea. Of course Truman would have it all cleaned up over there by Christmas of "51" then the Yanks started cleaning house which certainly meant a cut in Defense plants if victory should come, so naturally McArthur got canned. 

Well here we are with graduation a short way off and were ready to start making a living with income tax so high you can't afford to stay single and if you get married you can't make ends meet. That's what the big boys tell us and they should know. 

That has been our life in these United States. We're not complaining because we don't do that. But the fact still remains that we never have seen a year of what is known as ordinary times. And while many of life's joys and sorrows may be but a short way off, it can not be said we are but little children. But in the greater sense we are happy, courageous, and law abiding citizens ready and willing to do our share for our class, our community and our Country. It is our sincerest and fondest hope that the citizens of this community will understand this great class's hopes, desires and ambitions and that you will back us in our hopes for Peace and Happiness.

By Dave Pierce Beatty, Senior Class. Reporter.

#history #1950s #usa #high school #american history #memories #father

[damanbeatty]

Nisga’a of the Nass

Original Post Date July 30, 2021

In 2006 I lived in northern Kitimat, BC. My dog, Murphy and I drove up to explore the unique lava beds in the raw wilderness of Nisga’a territory roughly an hour north of Terrace, BC. To First Nations people, the park is known as Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a. The park is also known as Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park.

It’s hard to imagine it happening, but around the year 1750 – decades before Europeans came sailing up this way – a volcano erupted here spewing lava and killing over 2,000 Nisga’a people, destroying everything in its path and sparking devastating forest fires.

Murphy explores the lava beds at Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park

The vast lava beds remain today as a memorial to the lives lost. Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park is a popular destination with a 16-site campground and a Visitors Centre displaying Nisga’a artifacts throughout July and August. There are guided tours of the lava beds, sport fishing, backcountry excursions, local accommodations, and majestic pts’aan (totem poles).

Daman Beatty and his little dog Murphy set off from Kitimat, BC in an old Mazda MX3 Precidia to visit the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park (July 2006)

It is the first park in BC jointly managed between BC Parks and the Nisga’a Tribal Council. It boasts waterfalls, pools, cinder cones, tree moulds, lava tubes, spatter cones, a lava-dammed lake, caves and other features created by lava flows.

BC Parks’ website says this park offers “a chance to explore many unique and interesting features of a volcanic landscape and to learn about the culture and legends of the Nisga’a people.” This was so very true for us that day after we picked up Kenny Robinson, a Nisga’a man hitchhiking home from Terrace.

The guide, Kenny Robinson

Totem pole and long house in n the village of Gingolx, British Columbia

In exchange for a ride, he offered a guided tour of the lava beds and some Nisga’a villages along the way, including the home of a 400-foot suspension bridge: Gitwinksihlkw (Place of the Lizards) where according to oral tradition, large lizards lived there before the eruption.

I also received a warm welcome in the breathtaking village of Gingolx with spectacular views of the ocean and soaring eagles. The locals invited me into their long house to draw door prizes for a gathering and showed me how to prepare smoked salmon.

Smoked salmon hanging in a Nisga’a village of Gingolx, British Columbia

Hanging salmon in the village of Gingolx, British Columbia

Using the clunky old cassette-loaded camcorder I had back then, I filmed the day’s events, including a terrifying encounter with an aggressive mother grizzly and cubs. Watch the video below!

#nature #british columbia #indigineous people #nisgaa #canada #explore #explorebc #blog #new blog #travel #travel blog #exploration #fishing #salmon #fish food #lava

[damanbeatty]

Unplug from the Matrix: My First Sensory Deprivation Float

Original Post Date March 10, 2018

I recently tried out a 90 minute sensory deprivation float at Salt Wellness Centre in South Surrey. It was a truly unique experience that transitioned me through various states of mind. First, I was a little apprehensive to get into a dark, sealed tank, but they did offer a nightlight if you chose. The tank door is huge and readily available. I am a pretty tall guy but still had plenty of space. It wasn’t scary at all.

I enjoyed the novelty and relaxation of floating in the Epsom salts‎ and settled in, trying to find the right place to put my arms. After a while I started exploring the space around me without any light. Here’s the weird thing. I put my hand in front of my face and I felt like I could see it, but it was pulsating with energy, like I could see the soul inside my hand and the aura and energy within it! I waved it around and it left tracers swooshing through the blackness. For real, this happened! I looked beyond and witnessed a hallucination of swirling lights that are reminiscent of an acid trip. I also felt like I was traveling through space or down a black hole like in Interstellar. Trippy.

I moved beyond that and for a bit I felt the need to touch something, stretch and contort just to receive that physical feedback. I sat up at this point but my face and body felt so heavy, I decided to lay back down. Make sure you don’t get the salt in your eyes, by the way. That stings!

Near the end of the float, it become more focused and wrapped my arms and legs together, laying motionless as if solidified in cement. I learned this was because the salts were crystallizing on my body. The music gave way to absolute silence and I descended into the deepest state of meditation. Apparently the music was still on but only binaural beats, a frequency only audible to your subconscious mind.

Salt Wellness Centre is located nearby in Surrey, BC. You should give it a try!

#sensory #sensory deprivation #lifestyle blog #blog

[damanbeatty]

Amanda Hebert Wins 2017 David Beatty History Prize at Mount Allison University

Original Post Date June 2, 2017

I am thrilled to announce that Mount Allison University graduate, Amanda Hebert was awarded the David Beatty History Prize at this year’s convocation in Sackville, New Brunswick. The David Beatty History Prize commemorates the career of my father, Dr. David Beatty, “a much admired teacher and scholar.” The prize is awarded each year to the student graduating with the highest GPA in honours history. Amanda’s father, John said to me, “it was a special moment for our family in many ways and Amanda was extremely honoured to win the prize given our respect for your father who continues to inspire.”

Not only was John a student of my father’s back in the 1980s, but he also taught briefly alongside my mother, Mary Jean, across the border in Nova Scotia at Amherst Regional High School in 1985. Hebert added, “my daughter was determined to win the award as it is presented for top GPA in Honours history. Your Dad and I exchanged many a Christmas card and when my daughter was young he always asked for a picture. It was a great ceremony, and the last one for Peter Mansbridge as Chancellor as well.”

#academic #university #mount allison #history #Youtube

[damanbeatty]

Exploring Squamish Part 4: What To Do in Squamish

Original Post Date October 17, 2016

Tourism Squamish recently invited myself and some other local online media folks to come get a taste of life in nearby Squamish. It is like a little secret paradise, less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver. Here are some of the amazing adventures we experienced:

The Airhouse Freestyle Trampoline Centre

The Airhouse is a progressive, freestyle training centre offering a wide range of trampoline and conditioning programs for everyone. Their goal is to provide the best jumping experience in a safe and fun learning environment. Whether you are a kid just starting to learn trampoline basics to a competitive athlete looking for professional training and coaching.

I am very proud of @nshoremama and @beeblancs for making this leap. Its higher and scarier… https://t.co/cFQcEu2Tpa pic.twitter.com/GPcVTFVSLr

Fergie's Brunch in a Riverside Guest Cabin at Sunwolf Resort

It’s a one of a kind place and possibly the best hidden secret in the region. This resort is located on the banks of the Cheakamus river in Brackendale. Historic and authentic this resort offers many experiences. The accommodation varies between charming River Side cabins, Fisherman’s Cottage and the Logger’s Shack. Fergies' Café on site is the one of the best breakfast and brunch places in town. Sunwolf also operates whitewater rafting excursions and eagle viewing floats in the winter season.

You can rent this riverside cabin for around $300/night. We ate our brunch there. Take a c… https://t.co/kV2y1YbhYo pic.twitter.com/gXDjo3JmRc

Squamish Explorer Flight Seeing Tour with Sea to Sky Air

With Sea to Sky Air, we flew above and beyond the massive granite cliffs of the Stawamus Chief, the cascading waters of Shannon Falls, and the spectacular peaks of the Tantalus range to what really makes Squamish one of the world's most beautiful places.

Brewery Tour, Beer Tasting and Lunch at Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Co.

Rated one of the best pubs for food and beer in the Lower Mainland, the brew pub has become known as the meeting place in Squamish for locals and tourists alike. With high ceilings and post and beam construction, the brew pub offers a unique venue to show off the Stawamus Chief rock climbing face, and breathtaking views of local natural scenery. In 1996, John Mitchell helped design the Howe Sound Brewery and worked as the first brewer developing the initial recipes. Known as the “grandfather of micro-brewing in Canada”, Howe Sound Brewing is proud of his ongoing relationship with their brewery. Today they continue to brew in the craft style using unfiltered 100% barley mash. They pride themselves in brewing a diverse selection of flavourful, well-balanced ales.

Media tour of @howesoundbrewing in #Squamish #exploresquamish https://t.co/jU0k1C0E3h pic.twitter.com/CmsiNrquwf

Storage tanks for @howesoundbrewing #beer #Squamish #exploresquamish https://t.co/lrbO8FHSzd pic.twitter.com/e1TwscN9we

I'm not joking when I say @howesoundbrewing makes the BEST #pizza I have ever tasted. This… https://t.co/NmNLw39uYn pic.twitter.com/q1sghqwLyO

Orgasmicly delicious #mussels and @howesoundbrewing flight in the rear #foodporn #Squamish… https://t.co/R2bVFoAank pic.twitter.com/vU7uiciGTH

Tour of Ravenswood Show Home and Development (Benchmark Homes Ltd.)

Ravenswood is a community of three and four bedroom single family homes surrounded by the beautiful mountain town of Squamish yet close enough to hustle and bustle of Vancouver. “Ravenswood is the first and only large, single builder, master planned community to come to Squamish. It is the first opportunity for those looking to purchase a quality, modern and affordable family home in the Sea to Sky. This project fills a large gap in the local housing market, and should resonate with the young families looking to raise their children in their own paradise,” says sales team member Andrew Laurie.

Only 50 mins from #Vancouver - #Ravenswood is a master planned community of affordable sin… https://t.co/OujZg3kAzl pic.twitter.com/gbY9iw2IjL

Tour of Executive Suites Hotel & Resort (Where We Stayed)

All suites hotel and resort property featuring fully equipped kitchens with full size refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and microwave. Cooking and dining accessories, coffee maker as well as separate dining area and large balcony - many with stunning panoramic mountain views. Guests of the Executive Suites Hotel & Resort also enjoy individual controls for heating and air conditioning within the suites, spacious closets, flat screen televisions with DVD and premium movie channels. In-suite spa services are available through Living Well Spa. Heated outdoor pool, hot tub and well equipped fitness centre on site.

Alison from @squamishresort showing us where the resident black bear roams out back of the… https://t.co/KAhj74zZBx pic.twitter.com/PNFQJK8y6o

Best place to stay @squamishresort with outdoor pool, hot tub & 24hr gym #Squamish #explor… https://t.co/NiITx6n6A0 pic.twitter.com/Xsns4cKZt1

View of the #Squamish #sunrise from our balcony at @squamishresort #exploresquamish https://t.co/cgnds5wNaw pic.twitter.com/MzFhqGeUGI

The Salted Vine Kitchen & Bar

The Salted Vine Kitchen & Bar a contemporary and inspired taste of the Pacific Northwest and a new upscale dining experience in the heart of historic Squamish. Boasting a 70-seat dining and lounge area, as well as a 20-seat patio and a full bar—guests can expect to dine in comfortable fashion. Menu focusses on seasonal small share plates that use fresh and sustainable ingredients. House-made cocktails, carefully selected B.C. and international wines, and local craft beer on tap is available for those who enjoy drinks with their meals.

Fine dining at @saltedvine #Squamish - shared plates are more social! #exploresquamish https://t.co/dfwLpMDItL pic.twitter.com/7payI6EZCP

Care for more red? @saltedvine #Squamish #finedining #exploresquamish #food #wine https://t.co/pG1W1Wn8mq pic.twitter.com/1jtfyw4vpN

The firecracker ???????? @saltedvine #Squamish #exploresquamish #cocktail https://t.co/qdadQnRSgo pic.twitter.com/JO3qOHvRYj

Pat Allan, part owner of recently opened @SaltedVine pours wine for members of the media t… https://t.co/GKRqwrrmsO pic.twitter.com/coEyOzCmd6

Squamish Via Ferrata Tour at Sea to Sky Gondola

Via Ferrata, Italian for “Iron Way” is an engineered vertical adventure, assisted by metal rungs and a specialized cable system. This exciting trip is suitable for children and families alike, and is a fully guided experience.

Squamish Farmers Market and Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter

Built in 2015 to house, restore and showcase historical First Nations canoes, the Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter is housed on a traditional Squamish Nation village site where the Skwxwú7mesh people and visitors from other First Nations beached their canoes.

#Squamish farmer's market | #exploresquamish https://t.co/uiPSsvnTXs pic.twitter.com/qm9qto7WkW

The #Squamish Adventure Centre #exploresquamish @tourismsquamish https://t.co/IsLwrZU9o6 pic.twitter.com/ovKLMJXaxs

A happy place #Squamish #exploresquamish #explorebc https://t.co/GlcAtWdQhS pic.twitter.com/hScZcbB1WK

Beattys ready for take-off @seatoskyair #Squamish #exploresquamish #flightseeing https://t.co/WJpJkTamCP pic.twitter.com/U2Uv8yOlPe

SQUAMISH - Located on the ocean at the tip of the Howe Sound fjord, Squamish offers the world’s most epic outdoor adventures from Sea to Sky, all within 10 minutes. In Squamish you can play on the ocean and explore the mountains all in the same day. The Sea to Sky Gondola opens up easy access to expansive alpine hiking and sightseeing. Located on the doorstep of eight Provincial Parks, Squamish boasts more than 3,500 rock climbing routes and bouldering problems including the famous Stawamus Chief, more than 200 kilometers of world renowned mountain biking single track trails and access to some of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions in North America.

#squamish #explorebc #explore #travel #travel blog #photoblog #adventure #tourism #tourist #flying #food #british columbia #Youtube

[damanbeatty]

Exploring Squamish Part 3: Squamish Nation Canoe Builders

Original Post Date October 16, 2016

Tourism Squamish recently invited myself and some other local online media folks to come get a taste of life in nearby Squamish. It is like a little secret paradise, less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver. In this four part series, I will share with you some of the adventures we experienced.

Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter

While visiting the Squamish Farmers Market, we happened upon the Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter (pronounced Whoo-Nay-Oak) located in Xwu’nekw Park on the Mamquam Blind Channel and Loggers Lane between Victoria and Main Streets.

Built in 2015 to house, restore and showcase historical First Nations canoes, the Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter is housed on a traditional Squamish Nation village site where the Skwxwú7mesh people and visitors from other First Nations beached their canoes.

District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman describes the shelter as “a place for collaboration and shared learning between the Squamish Nation and the Squamish community”. The community project, made possible thanks to a Canadian Heritage Legacy Fund grant designed to build communities through arts and heritage, was a ‘made-in-Squamish-by-Squamish’ project. The project was initiated by the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association to establish a historical attraction that would help bring visitors and locals alike to the downtown area, and build a stronger partnership with First Nations community members.

Fatima and I dropped in to speak with Josh Watts who was working on repairing a hand made ocean canoe. Watch the video to learn about how these traditional canoes are built from a single tree, and are bringing Josh and his people closer together in an incredible way!

Josh Watts shows off the sea canoe to visitors at the Canoe shelter near the Squamish Farmers Market

Squamish Xwu’nekw Canoe Shelter

Xwu’nekw Canoe shelter information board

SQUAMISH – Located on the ocean at the tip of the Howe Sound fjord, Squamish offers the world’s most epic outdoor adventures from Sea to Sky, all within 10 minutes. In Squamish you can play on the ocean and explore the mountains all in the same day. The Sea to Sky Gondola opens up easy access to expansive alpine hiking and sightseeing. Located on the doorstep of eight Provincial Parks, Squamish boasts more than 3,500 rock climbing routes and bouldering problems including the famous Stawamus Chief, more than 200 kilometers of world renowned mountain biking single track trails and access to some of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions in North America.

[damanbeatty]

Exploring Squamish Part 2: Sea to Sky Air Flightseeing

Original Post Date October 16, 2016

Tourism Squamish recently invited myself and some other local online media folks to come get a taste of life in nearby Squamish. It is like a little secret paradise, less than an hour’s drive from Vancouver. In this four part series, I will share with you some of the adventures we experienced.

Squamish Explorer Flight Seeing Tour with Sea to Sky Air

Generally, I don’t like flying, and I thought flying in a tiny little 4-seater plane would be even more scary, but I was in for a surprise with Sea to Sky Air. I had never been in a small plane before. It’s the BIG planes that are scary! This flight was a breeze, and that’s because of the small car-like feel of the little aircraft, and now I want one because I swear to God, this sightseeing-by-air was one of the very best experiences of my life! I need to come back, we were in heaven!

Watch as we fly above and beyond the massive granite cliffs of the Stawamus Chief, the cascading waters of Shannon Falls, and the spectacular peaks of the Tantalus range to see what really makes Squamish one of the world’s most beautiful places. If you want to experience this yourself, don’t worry they’re open through the winter too!

SQUAMISH – Located on the ocean at the tip of the Howe Sound fjord, Squamish offers the world’s most epic outdoor adventures from Sea to Sky, all within 10 minutes. In Squamish you can play on the ocean and explore the mountains all in the same day. The Sea to Sky Gondola opens up easy access to expansive alpine hiking and sightseeing. Located on the doorstep of eight Provincial Parks, Squamish boasts more than 3,500 rock climbing routes and bouldering problems including the famous Stawamus Chief, more than 200 kilometers of world renowned mountain biking single track trails and access to some of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions in North America.

[damanbeatty]

Exploring Squamish Part 1: Via Ferrata at Sea to Sky Gondola

Original Post Date October 16, 2016

Tourism Squamish recently invited myself and some other local online media folks to come get a taste of life in nearby Squamish. It is like a little secret paradise, less than an hour's drive from Vancouver. In this four part series, I will share with you some of the adventures we experienced.

Via Ferrata at Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola

I have hiked the Squamish Chief many times, and each time I've looked up from the base and seen little ants up on the cliff. Well, not really ants but rock climbers, way up high on the rock face. I haven't tried that yet, but I am one step closer after having tried the Via Ferrata by Mountian Skills Academy and Adventures at Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola.

'Via Ferrata' is Italian for “Iron Way”, an engineered vertical climbing adventure, assisted by metal rungs and a specialized cable system. It was an exciting and unique climbing experience, rich with awe-inspiring views of Howe Sound and the nearby peaks. Experience Squamish Via Ferrata through my eyes in the video above!

SQUAMISH - Located on the ocean at the tip of the Howe Sound fjord, Squamish offers the world’s most epic outdoor adventures from Sea to Sky, all within 10 minutes. In Squamish you can play on the ocean and explore the mountains all in the same day. The Sea to Sky Gondola opens up easy access to expansive alpine hiking and sightseeing. Located on the doorstep of eight Provincial Parks, Squamish boasts more than 3,500 rock climbing routes and bouldering problems including the famous Stawamus Chief, more than 200 kilometers of world renowned mountain biking single track trails and access to some of the best kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions in North America.

[damanbeatty]

Sunee D's Comedy is Intensely Refreshing

Original Post Date August 6, 2016

Sunee D is not an orange, sugary drink, but a tall, brown, homegrown story-telling comedian with unique style and swagger that I’d label “goofy hip-hop.” The “D” is for Dhaliwal and Sunee is blowing up right now with performances at Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Halifax and Winnipeg comedy festivals, appearances on the CBC, MTV, Comedy Network, recorded specials for CTV’s Comedy Now, Sirius XM and now his own comedy special.

On Thursday night at the legendary Rio Theatre in East Vancouver, I caught up with the funnyman backstage before his new comedy special, “BROKEN DREAMS” which was being produced that night by Hadron Films.

As you’ll see in my video, Sunee shared with me how he got into stand-up in the first place and who inspired him the most, his relationship with Drake, and eating lobster in the Maritimes. We also discussed skydiving, his ridiculous sneaker collection – we even did an impromptu unboxing of his “Legend Blue” Jordan 11 Columbias, and what sort of rituals he goes through before shows.

The opening acts for the show that night were comedians Devin Alexander, James Kennedy, and Graham Clark. My initial vibe was OK, let’s get these start up acts out of the way for the main event, we came to see Sunee! Let me tell you, I was so incorrect in thinking that! Sunee’s performance delivered top notch, touching on his ethnicity and travels in remote villages of northern Canada. You can imagine the hilarious scenarios. Sunee killed it with this and so much more, but each of these opening comedians were also so god-damn funny in their own right, I nearly pissed my pants. I mean, I was exploding with laughter, like a machine gun! I’m sure you will hear me whenever the special runs. If you missed the show, trust me you gotta find this special and watch it. You will not be disappointed.

The last big comedy show I saw in Vancouver was Louis CK (he’s my absolute favourite) and as always, I laughed so hard I nearly suffocated. Seriously, the laughs from Sunee’s show at the Rio were on par with Louis’. It was such a fun evening and the Rio is licensed so you can enjoy an adult beverage. It was truly refreshing to experience entertainment, up close and in person like this at a local venue. What a great night! I have not laughed that much in a long time!

[damanbeatty]

Dad and the Opossum - A Story for Father's Day

Original Post Date June 19, 2016

My father died last summer after a long battle with Parkinson’s related dementia, (Lewy Body Disease). In 2012 though, he ended up in the hospital after a health scare. I was worried about him so I flew home to New Brunswick.

Dad was an incredible storyteller. I’ve already written extensively about that. As a history prof, Dad wrote a few books about the human side of the World Wars, but I always urged him to write about his childhood. He never found the time.

When I visited him in 2012, I was afraid it might be the last time, so I tried to record him telling these stories. By then his disease had robbed him of that zest for storytelling but he still gave it a shot.

I’ve been saving these videos for special occasions. Today is my first Father’s Day as a father, but also the first since he passed so I decided to publish this one about his encounter with an opossum.

Not all of the details are clear in the video, so here’s what happened. As a teenager, he lived on a farm and was out checking the traps he’d set for muskrats and weasels. This time he caught an opossum. Now remember, opossums are very slow but are also known for playing dead.

Dad took the animal, bonked it on the head for good measure and threw it in the back of his truck or wagon, thinking it was dead. Then he rode home to show everyone his catch, but by the time he got there, unbeknownst to him, the opossum had stopped playing dead and crawled out of the truck to make it’s slow motion escape.

When he rallied everyone to see his great trophy, the thing was of course gone. In small town Michigan, everybody knows that opossums play dead and are very slow. Allowing one to escape is the work of fools, so Dad was ridiculed and shamed by his family and friends for many days to come. Haha!

At the end of the video he asks me if he’ll get in trouble, because he wanted to leave the hospital there in the dead of winter, so he could go home. Of course, he was not thinking straight because of his disease. He wanted out of his seat which he was secured to so he wouldn’t fall, but I told him the most trouble he’d get into would be from himself if he fell. It was hard to see this brilliant man, who used to run 10K a day, in such a state. Miss you Dad.

[damanbeatty]

Visit The Gulf Islands Off Vancouver Island

Original Post Date May 21, 2016

The Gulf Islands are located off of Vancouver Island, between the Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada.  They have been named one of the best coastal destinations and Top 52 Places to Visit in 2016 by the New York Times.

The Gulf Islands region has a surprisingly mild climate for being so far north.  The climate is almost Mediterranean.  It is home to beaches, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, sailing, wineries, and holistic farms.  Plus, it is home to many artists.

Gulf Islands (highlighted) and surrounding region. Courtesy Wikipedia

There are over 200 islands, accessible by float plane, private boat, or ferry.  The major islands all deserve a day or two each to explore.  Bicycles are a good way to tour the islands.  To get to an island you will have to pre-plan a ferry trip which only runs at certain times of the day and night.  If you plan on staying overnight, you will have to plan accommodations as well.  There are 14,000 people scattered throughout the various islands.  Different islands offer different possibilities, so you will need to think about and pre-plan what you want to do.

Here are a few descriptions of some of the islands.

SALT SPRING ISLAND

Mild climate, laid back lifestyle, most popular island, home to the most people, wineries, organic farming, food artisans, cheesemakers

Bounty of Salt Spring at the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair | Image: Salt Spring Market

Art community, parks, beaches

Tribune Bay Beach on Hornby Island | Image: HelloBC

GABRIOLA ISLAND

Art, parks, beaches, limestone formations

Eastern shore of Gabriola | Image: Source

DENMAN ISLAND

Parks, wilderness, wildlife viewing

Denman Island Nature Tour | Image Courtesy Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours

MAYNE ISLAND

Mayne Island – 19th century buildings, kayaking opportunities, lighthouse, mountain climbing

Orca whale sightings | Image Courtesy Mayne Island Resort

This article contributed by Cheryl Jones, a free lance writer and blogger.

[damanbeatty]

Europe 2014 Part 3: Liverpool City Photowalk

Original Post Date January 17, 2016

Travel Journal: Monday, June 16, 2014

I slept straight through the night. Perhaps the melatonin helped! It usually does. I didn’t wake until 6am when the alarm sounded. Fatima was working the nursing conference today and we wanted to breakfast together. The continental included baked beans, of which I had two bowls. Baked beans make a great breakfast! They also had chocolate danish/croissants and a coffee machine. The coffee was good too. I took a mug for the road and escorted Fatima to the Convention Center.

I returned to the hotel room, changed my shoes and loaded up the camera for today’s adventure. I strolled past the Royal Liver Building, over Strand and up Water Street towards Liverpool Lime Street station with a few diversions.

Liverpool Town Hall’s rooftop Minerva statue from 1799.

From there I would catch the train to Chester, a small medieval town with an old Roman wall around it. I aimed to catch some Liverpool sites along the way. One of them which I discovered was St. Luke’s church. It was bombed out in 1941 during the wartime May Blitz of Liverpool.

St. Luke’s church (left). Looks like a normal church from the outside but inside is a different story. See below!

WATCH: ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AT “THE BOMBED OUT CHURCH”

I continued on and explored the nearby Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, then entered the train station. I bought a ticket and headed to Chester, only a 45 minute ride away. I will dedicate another blog post to that adventure, so let’s skip ahead…

The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

Detail of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral entranceway.

Interior of the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

My view from the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Liverpool Cathedral visible in the distance.

After a few hours spent in Chester, I surveyed the area around Lime Street station including St. George’s Hall and Gardens, the World Museum and Walker Art Gallery. I also discovered many street vendors and markets, the Queen Victoria Monument, and visited the Museum of Liverpool along the Mersey River while returning to the Convention Center to meet Fatima.

Around Lime Street Station.

Lion statue on the steps of St. George’s Hall.

Marble statue inside Walker Art Gallery.

Angel statue in St. George’s Gardens.

Street vendors in downtown Liverpool.

Flowers in an alleyway.

Queen Victoria Monument.

Museum of Liverpool along the Mersey.

A liverbird overlooking rooftop statues of liverbirds perched atop the Royal Liver Building from inside the Museum of Liverpool.

Football memorabilia on display in the Museum of Liverpool.

She she wasn’t quite finished, so I strolled back around the Albert Dock nearby and found a dockside patio. I ordered a Guinness and beet pizza at a funky little spot called Revolution. Fatima soon joined me.

Guinness on the patio of the Albert Dock.

Beet pizza from Revolution.

It was late evening now. We were both jetlagged and ready to rest. She must work again tomorrow, so more adventures for me!

PHOTO ALBUM: LIVERPOOL CITY PHOTOWALK

>> View full photo album from Liverpool City Photowalk

[damanbeatty]

Roadkill Hunters III: The Wild West

Original Post Date November 11, 2015

Episode 3: Introducing a new roadkill hunter, Cousin Liam from New Zealand! The boys are back and this time they’re hunting for roadkill on the western front!

WATCH Roadkill Hunters III: The Wild West

Joined by their cousin Liam, the Roadkill Hunter boys Daman and Oliver leave the Maritimes to expand operations into Western Canada. While exploring the western realm, they investigate a disturbing anomaly which is having a devastating affect on roadkill yields in the region.

Also available for your viewing pleasure…

WATCH: ROADKILL HUNTERS II

In this follow up to the smash hit series, “ROADKILL HUNTERS”, we find our hunters, Daman, Fatima and Oliver a year later. The gang reunites after some time apart to bring back the action for ROADKILL HUNTERS, PART TWO!!

For those who missed it…

WATCH: ROADKILL HUNTERS

“A man, his wife and nephew drive around searching the backroads and highways of rural New Brunswick, Canada to find various types of wild animals killed by automobile traffic.”

[damanbeatty]

My Eulogy: Growing Up with Dr. David Beatty as My Father

Original Post Date September 11, 2015

Watch: My Eulogy at Dad's Funeral in Sackville, New Brunswick

The following is a transcript from my eulogy at my father’s funeral. Watch my eulogy above or scroll down to watch the full length funeral video.

Eulogy Transcript

Well there’s a lot of people in the ‘audience’ here today and I’m sure Dad would love to be up here entertaining you all.

My father grew up in the dirty 30s in a small country town in Michigan named Williamston. He planned to be a farmer but fate led him to academics, and later, here to Sackville, New Brunswick.

Dad and Uncle Tom in the 1930s.

Growing up with David Beatty as my father… When I was little, he entertained me reading stories and acting out the voices. I loved it and he’d make me laugh. We’d sit in his study and as he smoked a pipe and read me the classics like Jack London’s The Call of the Wild and White Fang, also Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, even Tarzan. Amazing stories! I would play with my toys or draw but I had to pay attention because he’d quiz me every few minutes about what was happening and I didn’t want to let him down.

My sister Margaret and I with Dad and Chuck the dog.

My sister Margaret and I with Dad on Christmas morning.

He loved to tease and torment us. If we had bare feet, he would chase my sister and I around the house yelling “fresh piggies” trying to stomp on our toes. We seriously thought he’d gone berserk and was going to squash our feet, but of course he never did.

Left: Margaret. Right: Swimming with Dad.

He tried to overcome my fear of swimming by dragging me out, kicking and screaming into the Northumberland Strait to toss me out over my head. This did not work one bit. It only made my fear of the water worse. I think finally, I overcame it by taking swimming lessons at the Mount A pool, or in therapy, I’m not sure.

Speaking of the Northumberland Strait… this is unthinkable now, but for fun he would dangle me upside down by my ankles over the railing of the ferry on the way to Prince Edward island. I’m not sure where exactly Mom was when this happened but I am sure glad he never dropped me!

Every Saturday in Baie Verte, when I was a kid, he’d take a load of garbage over to the town dump in Aulac. I’d be at home, minding my own business, watching Saturday morning cartoons or something, and he would suddenly appear in the doorway, “This is it, boy. Today’s the day, I’m going to get rid of you… leave you at the dump”. I believed him. We drove in his truck and I trembled all the way while he reminded me this was our last day together. We arrived at the dump and he’d throw all the garbage bags and stuff into the vast pit. I’d just stand there waiting for my fate, but then he’d show some mercy and decide to keep me for another week. What a relief! I’m pretty sure I developed some abandonment issues from this for a while.

I love telling these stories you know and it was all good fun.

Mom and Dad were both teachers, so they had every summer off. We’d pack everything up and go live at our Murray Corner farm house for the summer. We have this 100 acre farm property, I’m sure many of you have been there. It goes right from the beach to vast fields, a woodlot, a river, two big barns and an old farmhouse.

Dad in the kitchen of the farmhouse in the 1960s.

It was the perfect place to grow up. We had horses, cows, pigs, dogs, puppies, barn cats, kittens, tons of kittens, they’d just show up randomly like magic, just kittens all the time like some kind of childhood dream.

With Margaret on the Fence (Baie Verte).

Dad with Margaret on the horse.

A horse and carriage ride.

In late summer, Dad would hire a team of guys from Port Elgin to come and help him harvest the hay. They’d show up with big tractors and trucks, they were all sweaty, greasy and unshaven, hard working men. Real farmers, like something out of Mice and Men, and they had big hay wagons. My sister and I would ride on these hay wagons all day while they baled the hay, then they’d fill our giant barn full of these square bales.

Harvesting the hay at the farm in 1975.

Like life-size legos, my sister and I would play in the barn for days building forts, my friend Jeff Roach would come over and we’d climb to the top of the barn in the rafters and leap like 20-30 feet into the soft piles of hay below. I can’t believe how much fun that was… or that we never got hurt!

Dad had his own antique tractor too and I would spend all day on it with him. Also his legendary Chevy truck he had since 1984. So much fun.. We used to stand on the back bumper of that thing as he drove down the highway, or sit in the back. No seat belt laws back then. I remember tumbling off a couple times, but again, never got hurt.

He loved to farm, God, he sure did. He’d be in the garden all day and he was famous in town for having crops that would appear before anybody else. He made me do it too, weeding and digging up potatoes out of the dirt with my bare hands. I think every kid should go through this, it teaches you how to work hard. Although, I swore I would move to the city when I grew up so i would never have to do it again.

After farming all day, Dad would go on a long, long bike ride, then after that, a long run, then a long swim. He was so active. he ran 10km a day.

He also loved camping, fishing, canoeing and hiking. He would bring my brother, sister and I, and also my cousin Liam along. What a blast, eating canned sardines, making popcorn in a pot over the camp stove.

Camping with Dad.

Hiking in Newfoundland with Dad, Mom and Margaret. August 1994.

I should mention that we gave a small portion of Dad’s ashes to my cousin Liam, and while we are here, right now, Liam is in New Zealand, hiking up a mountain to spread those ashes in Dad’s honour. (Watch this in the video).

Dad fishing with Zeno in 1974.

Anyway, Dad would also go camping with the dog. He loved all of his dogs! There was Zeno, Chuck, Bess, and later, Goldie. They’d cruise around with him everywhere in his old blue pickup truck.

Dad and his old pickup truck in Sackville, NB.

He also had cats. One cat in particular, Cinder. He originally found her behind the stove when he bought our Baie Verte house in the 60s. That cat lived to be like 25 years old and even moved to Sackville with us in 1990.

He had crazy sayings he would chant out to these animals like “Ohh BESS!!” or “old Bad Bess the GOOD!” or “You’re a Laaaazy old KeetKite” for Cinder the old cat. And that cat was miserable, by the way. If you ever tried to pet her she’d shriek and claw or bite you, but he loved her. As I mentioned, she grew so old, by the end she was like a boney, furry spine with only like 2 or 3 sharp teeth left.

My sister Margaret with me as a baby and Dad holding Cinder looking miserable as ever in the kitchen of our Baie Verte house.

I remember as a kid in Baie Verte, trying to take advantage of having a historian for a father to get my history homework done faster – rather than having to research or read stuff, I thought I could just ask my Dad and he could quickly provide the answers I needed so I could get back to watching TV or goofing off. But this quickly backfired on me. I went and asked him about the Louis Riel Rebellion, or whatever topic I was assigned to, expecting a quick answer, but then he would get all excited and take me to his personal library and he’d pull out like 3 or 4 thick books and go on for hours teaching me in great depth about the subject. I wish I could tell you how much I loved this, but at the time I was pulling my hair out just wanting him to be done. I had no idea how lucky I was.

When I was a little older though, it was such a treat to watch historical documentaries or war movies with him. He would point out people or things that were given only a brief reference in the movie, and provide a whole backstory to them, then everything that was happening would make so much more sense. I would pause the video and let him explain these things and it would add such a deeper dimension to the movie. You’d learn a lot.

My father was a terrible business man. He grew all these farm crops, way too many for us to eat, then he’d drive around just dropping them off to people around the community.. old ladies, everyone for free.

His old antique tractor, it must have been worth a lot. When he no longer used it, he just gave it away to the neighbors. Same with his truck, rather than selling it, just gave it away. He even let a local guy farm our land for free, he still does it… He was just generous. He didn’t really care about the money. Even when his colleagues at the university, other profs, went on strike demanding higher wages, he did not. I asked him about this and he said, “they pay me enough”. I think he just loved his job so much, maybe he was afraid they’d take it away.

Over the years, so many of his students have reached out to me, and told me how much he has influenced them and their lives, and what an inspiration he has been to them. It truly lifts me up to hear these stories. Especially now that we’ve lost him. You are truly keeping his spirit alive. Thank you.

It has been difficult for me, living so far away. I want to thank my Mom, my sister and her kids who visited and took care of Dad over the past few years. I know the people at the hospital and the Drew took exceptional care of him as well. I also want to extend my gratitude to Dad’s closest friend, Jack Drover who so faithfully visited him and spent time with him in his last days.

It was hard to watch Dad decline. He always ate healthy food and exercised like crazy, but none of that helped him fight off this brain disease. Still, he never got to the point where he didn’t know who I was. They say his brain was extra resilient because as a historian he spent a lifetime memorizing facts, figures, names and dates, and this actually strengthened the connections within his brain, slowing the effects of the disease.

My childhood best friend, Jeff Roach, I mentioned him earlier; he recently passed away tragically and unexpectedly, and I came home for his service.

While I was home, I had the chance to visit Dad, a chance I wouldn’t have had otherwise. My wife Fatima was only a few weeks pregnant at this point and normally you don’t tell people about it but here I had an opportunity to tell Dad about the pregnancy in person. When I told him, a huge smile appeared on his face, but I told him not to tell anyone yet, and he agreed.

My last visit with Dad at the Drew. March 2015.

I didn’t have the opportunity to see Dad again until Father’s Day, just recently and I arranged it with Mom and them to Facetime with Dad from Vancouver. By this time they all knew about the pregnancy and we asked Dad if he could tell us what special thing was happening with Fatima and I. He said, “well they’re having a baby!” And we all celebrated because this meant he still knew it and remembered it all this time.

Our last Facetime with Dad. Father’s Day 2015.

That was the last time I spoke to Dad, and unfortunately he will miss the birth of our baby, but the fact that he remembered it means everything to me.

He lived a good life, and I am so happy you have all come to celebrate it with us today.

Thank you so much.

Watch: Dr. David Beatty's Funeral ~ Full Length

Funeral video recorded by Jones Funeral Home.

RELATED:

Mountie Football Vets Facebook Group Thread

Region mourns loss of farmer, professor, footballer, intellectual

Dr. David Beatty Embodied the Passion, Principles of Teaching

Jack Drover's Tribute

Below is the transcript from Jack Drover’s eulogy at Dad’s funeral also featured in the full length video above.

Tribute to David Beatty, August 15, 2015

I came to Sackville and Mount Allison in 1974 as the soccer and hockey coach. Early on in my career I met two very special people. Co-incidentally they were both named David – David MacAulay and David Beatty.

I quickly learned that Dave Beatty was a gentleman, a respected professor, and a sports fan.

When I attended Alumni events and did school visitations, so many of those attending asked about Dave Beatty and asked me to extend greetings to him – and to say a special thank you for his sincere interest and guidance. Dave often told me that he taught some good and not so good students, and my guess is that both are represented here today. He took great pride in hearing from his former students following completion of their degree. My wife Jane was the coordinator of the Meighen Centre at Mount A. Her office was across from a classroom where Dave lectured in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jane told her secretary not to schedule appointments during his lectures, and she would go across the hall to listen, learn, and enjoy.

Dave’s obvious passion outside of the classroom was football, especially Mountie football. But his love of sport and of those playing extended far beyond the sport of football. I even had the pleasure of coaching his son Damon in age group soccer, and trying to teach Dave a little about the true game of football. I think it fell on deaf ears.

On Mountie Football game day, Dave would pop by my office, chat for a minute, go down the hall and shake hands with the coaches, pop into the dressing room, wish the players well, and then he and his dog would head to his special seat at the end of the stands near the 40 yard line. I had a clear view from my office. You can see his seat later from Tweedie as you look across the rebuilt field towards the bleachers.

In all honesty when I first learned that Dave was a resident of the Drew I knew that the right thing to do was to visit him, that it would not be easy, and if I did visit, what would I say, and I wondered what would we talk about.

Well Dave must have quickly observed that I was a little nervous, uncomfortable, but with his skill he took charge and I left looking forward to my next visit. These visits increased to three to four times a week when I was in town – always to include Saturday mornings as I wanted to make sure that his TV or radio were on the correct channel/ station, and then to brief him on our Mounties and our opponents.

I wanted to make sure that that my visits and our chats were varied, so I thought about strategies that would insure that we would talk about things from A to Z, and I actually used that quite often – working through the alphabet. We talked pretty well about everything, ranging from him raising and butchering animals in his youth, to him wanting to be a vet, to exploring and fishing in Michigan, to a Detroit Tiger vs New York Yankees game in New York, to his camping trip in Newfoundland, to running with the Wooders’ on the beaches in PEI, to discussing those who did honors papers under his supervision, to world history – and discussing the first and second world wars and the many local people who had families serve in them.

I was one of those not so good students mentioned earlier. I thought of a way to improve my GPA. I would ask Dave to give me assignments from time to time- a form of adult learning. He agreed. My first assignment was to find the burial sites of all former Prime Ministers. I did this, and on my next visit he gave me an oral exam. When it was finished, I asked him what my grade was on the assignment. He responded A+. I asked him to give me more assignments so that I could get my GPA up to at least 2.0. We laughed about this often. Then he told me that he once visited Lester Pearson’s burial site in Wakefield, PQ, tried to climb the fence to get to it, had his pants catch in the fence, fell to the ground, and ripped his pants to pieces. He was curious about the two former Prime Ministers buried in Halifax, and his next assignment was for me to get him more information. I did and told him that the two were Sir Charles Tupper and John Thompson. Sir Charles Tupper had a storied career. John Thompson’s was somewhat obscure. He gave me another A +, and he told me that I was right on – but did point out that John Thompson was young, inexperienced, but that he had nice hair though.

We even figured out the date of the Yankee – Tiger game he attended and found the starting line-ups on the game. Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Harvey Keunn , and Al Kaline were just some of the Hall of Famers in the game day lineup. I got an A++ that day.

We chatted about his grandchildren. He was excited that Oliver was playing basketball and he also told me that he was an excellent mackerel fisherman. Oliver, I was in Chester two weeks ago fishing and only caught five, so I will be asking you for lessons. His granddaughter Catherine played a Annie in the presentation of the stage play Annie in Riverview last year. This year she was a pink lady in the TRHS presentation of Grease. One day when I visited she was singing Dave some songs from Grease. When she was finished, and was still present, I sang “ Take Me Out to the Ball Game “ to Dave. When I got to “ and it is One , Two , Three Strikes and you’re out – he raised his right arm and sang along with me. A very special and memorable moment! One of the more recognizable songs / lyrics from Grease was sung by Sandra Dee. “ Tell me more, Tell me more, do not go out that door “. I think I often heard Dave singing this as I was leaving.

We talked about his travels, particularly international as well as his gardening, another passion of his. He told me of his visit to the London Museum and I shared our visit to the Normandy Coast, Vimy Ridge, and Beaumont Hamel with him. Our youngest son was a tour guide at both, so I had an inside track on this information. Another A +.

I am a novice at gardening. One day Mary Jean came to visit when I was there, and she asked me what I was growing. I responded herbs, with an H. She corrected me saying erbs, without the H. David and I looked at each other, with a special smile. So at my next visit he asked me how my erbs were progressing – and I told him I am growing “ H ‘s”. and I would soon have Herbs and Honions for Mary Jean – in my best Newfoundland twang.

Sometimes when I went to visit him he was “ resting his eyes”, I would sit on the edge of his bed, tap him lightly on his right knee, quietly say a few words, and before I knew it his eyes would slowly open, he would have a smile on his face, say hi Jack, we would chat. When I would leave I would put my left hand on his shoulder, and say to him – “ see you again soon “ and his response was always –“ thank you for coming, say hi to Jane, and you have made my day. “

Canada Day this year marked the 99th anniversary of the Battle at Beaumont Hamel. Our six years old granddaughter was selected to place a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa representing the young people of Canada. I told Dave how proud we all were, and I saw tears of pride in his eyes. He asked me to bring the picture to show him. It arrived on the Monday following his death.

Dave was a very special person, and I am one of many who have had the privilege to have my life influenced by Dr. David Beatty.

[damanbeatty]

Dr. David Pierce Beatty 1933 - 2015

Original Post Date August 4, 2015

Dr. David Pierce Beatty, 1933 - 2015

This obituary for Dr. David Pierce Beatty was written by his daughter Margaret with contributions from David himself, his wife Mary Jean, and son Daman.

On October 10th, 1933, during the Great Depression, David Beatty was born at home in a back road farm house with no running water or electricity in Ingham County, Michigan. Growing up, he attended a one-room school house. He participated in the Future Farmers of America and 4-H Club, where he won a public speaking contest for the State of Michigan and other similar awards. This inspired him to continue his education, eventually earning a Ph.D. in History of International Relations from Michigan State University.

David came to Canada during the Vietnam War in 1966 to join Mount Allison University’s History Department where he specialized in diplomacy between the country of his birth and the country into which he was adopted. He served as Departmental Head, Director of American Studies, and Co-Director of International Studies. Additionally, he authored several books: The Vimy Pilgrimage, July 1936, From the Diary of Florence Murdock, Amherst, Nova Scotia; Memories of the Forgotten War: The World War I Diary of Pte. V.E.Goodwin; and The World War I Diaries and Letters of Lieut. Stanley Edgett (co-edited by Dr. Tom Edgett). For several years, he was a leading figure in the university’s high school visitation program and an enthusiastic counselor to prospective students. He was perhaps best known as a passionate teacher who was generous with his time and advice. He showed dedication to the development of his students not only as intellectuals and scholars but also as individuals and citizens. Mount Allison awarded him the Herbert & Leota Tucker award for Excellence in Teaching in 1989. He taught for over three decades until his appointment as Professor Emeritus of History in 2000.

David’s love of history and teaching was matched by his enthusiasm for football. An avid supporter of the Mount Allison varsity football team, he could reliably be found on fall weekends near the athletic field cheering on his beloved Mounties. He was appointed Honorary President of the Fifth Quarter Club. In his final years, when no longer able to attend games, he loyally followed his favourite team on television with great pleasure.

Sheila Blagrave, editor of the Mount Allison Record, said of David Beatty, “He was a gentleman farmer and something of a backroom politician“. He was also a popular orator and storyteller who featured occasionally on radio and television and was known locally for his annual Remembrance Day speeches. Although not destined to be a farmer by profession, he nonetheless continued to cultivate his rural roots. David was deeply fond of the small community of Baie Verte, New Brunswick, which he called home for about two decades. For many years, between Convocation and Commencement, he moved his family to Parkbeg Farm, in Murray Corner, New Brunswick, where he zealously planted vegetables and raised livestock to fill the freezer with food for the long winters. When not tending to his prolific gardens, he could often be found distributing the overabundance among friends, neighbours, and passers-by. David was also an outdoorsman and athlete, instilling in his children a love for camping, hiking, running, canoeing, and campfire building.

David passed away on August 2nd, 2015, after a lengthy illness. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Jean (Bissell) Beatty, and three children: Daman Beatty (Fatima) of Vancouver, BC; Margaret Priemer, of Sackville, NB, and David Beatty Jr., of Michigan. He is also survived by two brothers, Thomas and Hal Beatty, of Michigan; three grandchildren: Catherine and Oliver Priemer, of Sackville, NB, and Jason Beatty, of Michigan; four great-grandchildren: Brayden, Gage, Brynn, and Pierce Beatty, of Michigan; and extended family.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

A celebration of David’s life will take place on Saturday, August 15th, at 2:00 p.m., and has been moved to Mount Allison University Chapel, Sackville, New Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s name to Mount Allison University’s Fifth Quarter Club, the Tantramar Heritage Trust, Open Sky Co-Operative, or a charity of one’s own choice.

Further details will be published on Jones Funeral Home website.