GEORGE RAWLINGS (Deceased - June, 2011)
1963 - Lemoyne D'Iberville

Upon Graduation, I joined the Montréal Star as a Junior Buyer and remained with the Star for 10 years. It was at the Star where I met and married my wife. In order to grow and expand my career, I resigned and took the position as Plant Buyer for Hewitt Equipment Limited (Caterpillar Tractor Dealership) in Pointe Claire.

While at the Star , I went to Sir George Williams University to obtain my Certified Professional Purchaser diploma.

I graduated at 27, the youngest Professional Purchaser in Canada. My 15 minutes of fame.

I worked my way up the ranks at Hewitt and when I resigned, 10 years later, I was Director of Purchasing for Hewitt. I was also the Purchasing Manager for the Canadian Caterpillar Dealers Association.

We left Québec when René came to power. I emigrated to Upper Canada and accepted a position as Purchasing Manager for White Farm Equipment in Brantford , Ontario. I lived in Burlington for 25 years.

My work career has always been in purchasing and I have held various positions with a number of companies in the Toronto area. I have traveled extensively in Europe and have been in Paris many times as I have worked for both French and German based companies.

My traveling and late business hours contributed to my separation from my wife after 25 years and 8 years later, we will soon be divorced. I have an 18 year old daughter who is soon to graduate from grade 13. She has high aspirations to be an Interior Decorator.

At 55 I decided to get out of the automotive business and retire. I soon found out that one can retire too young. Got bored and one day, received a request for help call from an associate who is president of an automotive Tier 1 supplier to Chrysler. I moved to Troy, MI and lived and worked for 3 years in Troy where I was Director of Purchasing for Hutchinson FTS Inc.

I would still be there had the INS decided not to renew my work visa. They sent me back home on April 1, 2001. I retired for the second time and was enjoying the rest when I received another call for assistance and joined an automotive Tier 1 supplier in Brantford.

As it is 1/2 hour from home, I joined the US company in Brantford and remained with them until September of 2003 when they commenced the wind down of their Canadian operations.

I retired for the 3rd. time. Industry will not let old farts like me retire.

This time, I do believe that I will stay retired as I am setting up a small wood working business in my shop where I will do custom home accessories and furniture restoration.

I have also obtained my Bartenders License and I hope to fulfill a life long dream to be a bartender and manager a bar.

Seven years ago I met and fell in love with the lady in my life and we have lived in Port Dover for the last 5 years. We live in a nautical (year round) cottage on the shore of Blacks Creek 1/4 mile inland from Lake Erie. We love boats and water and are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful location. We live in a yacht club environment as we live across the creek from the Port Dover Yacht Club.

Port Dover is a very small fishing village and is home to North Americas' largest inland commercial fishing fleet.  We are a tourist town and have many weekend festive events. Our claim to fame is Friday 13th. (Biker Weekends).

Port Dover is a town of 5700 people, but over the summer months, 1 million plus visitors will come to visit and enjoy our hospitality.  Last Friday the 13th we saw 60 thousand people and bikers came to town over the 3 day event. Good for business and the bikers have never caused any damage.

My goal this summer is to be a bartender on one of the tour/cruise ships Monday thru Thursday. Can't bugger up the weekends!

We entertain quite a bit and when not in the hot tub and sun worshiping, we are working on the property or participating in one of the local events.