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St. Joseph’s Villa resident Jim Oman revved up over his wish being granted

Oman got to ride in a sidecar of a motorcycle and parade around the city with a police escort

When Jim Oman suffered a stroke years ago, it put the brakes on his dreams of driving a motorcycle across the country.

Oman has been living at St. Joseph’s Villa for about three years. On Thursday, he was the centre of attention in a motorcycle parade around the city that led dozens of bikes from the villa to A&W. The parade even had a police escort.

Oman wasn’t driving a motorcycle, but he was in a sidecar, something he said he had never before experienced.

“I’ve never been in a sidecar,” Oman said. “I’ve seen them and always wondered what it would be like to ride in one.”

Oman was chosen as this year’s Make a Wish recipient from St. Joseph’s Villa. 

The Villa has been organizing the program since 2015. Nominations are accepted in May, and the winner is announced in June as part of Seniors Month.

“We have done a lot of wonderful things to make our residents’ wishes and dreams come true,” said Angela Gilchrist, programs co-ordinator, St. Joseph’s Villa. “We have done all kinds of wishes, from room makeovers to taking men out for fishing trips, and it’s really dependent on the person.”

Oman said what he likes best about motorcycles is they are just like bicycles, but with much less work involved. He said he also likes the fact motorcycle riders can smell the fresh air, and there is no radio to distract you from your surroundings.

He owned a motorcycle for about 10 years before his stroke, but had to give it up as he was no longer able to drive it.

As for Thursday’s event, it was “pretty fantastic and unexpected,” he said.

Oman was nominated by a group of his caregivers, including Vicki Gilbeault, life enrichment assistant at St. Joseph’s Villa. 

“Every morning, Jim comes and talks to me about motorcycles and some of his stories, and he has motorcycles in his memory box,” Gilbeault said. “When we were discussing what some residents’ wishes might be, he said he wished he could get to ride on a motorcycle again.”

He can no longer drive a motorcycle, so she said she suggested a sidecar, and the rest is history.

“He helps people so much, and he’s the kindest person in the world, and we’re very glad he was able to have his wish,” Gilbeault said.

Gilchrist said the committee is humbled by how generous people have been just to make Jim’s day a special one.

The Rock Harley Davidson gave him gifts on Wednesday and let him revv up the engine of a Harley. A&W provided free beverages to those participating in the motorcycle parade, and gave Oman a free meal when he arrived. 

“This year’s wish was great because it had a lot of community support, from The Rock Harley Davidson, A&W, the police and local motorcycle groups.


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Arron Pickard

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