Article provided by Lougheeds Limited
November 1st, 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of Lougheed’s Limited in Sudbury.
In 1952, Gerry and Marguerite opened their Funeral Home and Flower Shop on the corner of Eyre and Spruce Streets. They moved here from Staples, Ontario, a small farming community north of Windsor where they grew up and married.
They learned the value of hard work, the importance of community and the love of family. All the ingredients that would define the rest of their lives.
Their first Christmas in Sudbury, when they knew absolutely no one here, they were invited by neighbours to join them for dinner. It made a lasting impression on both of them, just how wonderful, kind, and good the people of Sudbury were, a place not of strangers but friends who have not met.
That acceptance became the foundation of our family. Every Christmas mom and dad would invite people who were alone to join us for dinner, paying forward the kindness they had received.
Many people emigrated to Sudbury in the 50’s to find work and make a better life for their families.
Like dad and mom, they had little money or resources, but they were determined to make a good home. That is exactly what they accomplished.
In our family, my brother and I were the beneficiaries of this community commitment, we saw the same success through the eyes of friends at school and in our West End neighbourhood. The ideal that it takes a village to raise a child was realized in no locked doors and everyone keeping an eye on the kids. I remember at seven years old walking into a neighbour’s kitchen, seeing the cookie jar was empty and walking to the backyard where my 80-year-old neighbour was enjoying the summer sun. I suggested that if she wasn’t busy, she should bake some cookies. She laughed about that for years, but it illustrates the strength and love of our community. I am lucky now to have Colette, as she ensures ample cookies in my life.
We have been blessed with a staff that not only understands our philosophy but embraces it.
Bill McLaughlin worked at Lougheed’s for over 40 years. In those early years he would stay at the funeral home over night when helping with the ambulance. One night a burglar broke in and Bill caught him. Bill asked him why he was stealing, and the guy said because he was hungry. Instead of calling the police, Bill cooked up some food and sent him on his way. This is a great example of the good shared by our staff, which continues today serving dinners at the Mission, helping with the Salvation Army Kettles, giving a hug to the bereaved or providing a smile with a flower. We are very blessed to have a staff who are an extension of our family.
Gerry continues to use his time to tangibly help others. He is the most prolific charity fundraiser and gifted speaker in Canada. What you may not know is Gerry lives his faith, he has provided 50 years of pulpit supply at local churches, and he serves food at the Mission where he is on a first name basis with many of the street people.
You have all heard me at the Sudbury Food Bank say we must have a community kitchen table where all are welcomed and there is “Enough” food for everyone, as well as my years of advocacy through St John Ambulance to have every Canadian trained in first aid and CPR. These are the principles instilled by our parents, to embrace the community as your family, and leave things better than you found them.
We thought about how we can celebrate this significant milestone and honour the spirit of our parents. We decided to take the resources allocated for the 70th Anniversary and donate them to charities that were important to mom and dad. The words of Mother Teresa have always embodied what we believe, “I will never do great things, but I can do small things with great love.”
Gerry, Colette, and I thank everyone for your support for the past 70 years, turning those inspirational words into a truly greater Sudbury. We are proud of our community, proud of our staff and proud to live in Sudbury.
To learn more about the team and services offered at Lougheeds Limited, please visit them online.