CAPTAIN A.ROY BROWN BRANCH 192

I was born and continue to live in Lanark County.  Growing up in Smith’s Falls (yes that’s how it was spelled back then), I got to enjoy listening to Hal Botham every morning on CJET radio AM 630. (Of course, I didn't listen long at night as the Katherine Kuhlmann (and the Good Ship Grace) show was on the radio…Those who know, know what that was all about.

I went to SFDCI, graduated and pursued a Business Diploma at post secondary school (somewhat local college in Kingston). I graduated with my diploma and took a Health Care Aide diploma course in Brockville. I graduated with Honours (and I was the only male in the class). How the times have changed!

Well, that’s not quite the whole story…I started working for the Canadian Pacific Railway while I was attending high school.  I worked the night shift and went to school during the day. With the CPR,  I held various positions in the office, did the brakeman/conductor/engineer training programs and went into management.  

I had the privilege to see a lot of the country while employed in the various roles with the CPR.  I moved from Smiths Falls (note the name change!) in 1989 and got married in 1990. My wife and I have 3 children, who are adults now.  While my family stayed put west of Carleton Place, I got to work in places such as Ottawa/Gatineau, Masson-Angers, Buckingham and Thurso.  Then I started to expand my knowledge of the railway corridors, which took me to placements in Windsor, Winnipeg, and an extended “vacation” in Montreal, Quebec.

I retired 1 June 2017 after 39 years and 8 months of service to the CPR. I thought I would retire and enjoy many life activities , such as golf, fishing, hunting and travel…Well, that changed in November 2017, when I joined the Royal Canadian Legion in Carleton Place.

I am an ASSOCIATE MEMBER of the Legion. My father and many uncles fought in WWII, or were running troop trains in England during the war. The Army, Navy and Air Force all had family members enlisted during the Second World War.  

After attending a few monthly General meetings, an opening came for a day bartender. I trained under Mark Kincade, and my role in the Legion changed immensely!  What started off as a "part-time job to help fill a void”, turned into a full-time job that I terminated a little over a year later when I took over as Bar Officer from Ann Ecker, who was looking to step down from the position after many years.

Then came - “The Meeting”!  
I sat down with President Peter Schaffer and he asked me to consider taking on the position of President in the Branch.  We discussed a timeline of 4 years, so I could get an opportunity to learn and grow in the Legion Executive. Under the guidance of such great people, Mark Bissonette, Fr David Andrew, Sandy Maher, Brian Comeau and Peter Schaffer (plus others on the Executive Committee, I moved up into Senior Executive positions 2nd Vice-President, then 1st Vice-President, then MY ACCIDENT!!  While I spent a lot of time away from the Legion in 2022 into 2023, I made a commitment to Comrade Peter Schaffer that I would be President in 2023.  I assured him that I would honour my commitment and effective 1 June 2023, the rest is history!

Had I known what I know now about the Legion, I would have joined many years ago as a Member at Large.

I want to THANK EVERYONE at the Legion for their SUPPORT and kindness towards my family while I was in Toronto Sunnybrook Hospital / St.John’s Rehab healing from my accident surgery. I am very humbled and grateful for your continued support as I venture into the UNKNOWN as PRESIDENT.

I shall do the BEST of my abilities, to continue in the honoured, VOLUNTEER position of President - should I get re-elected for another term of office.

Words cannot express my GRATITUDE to all for helping with my past experiences.  I shall strive to get more accustomed  with the various processes required while being the President of The Captain A. Roy Brown, Branch 192 in Carleton Place.

Cheers and Thanks!
Respectively Submitted,
Kevin Francis