Happy Birthday

This is a very special week for me and my family.

Not only are we welcoming in a new decade, but we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the births of my Father, Robert Sullivan, and my Mother, Dorothy Allison.

My Dad was born in Richardsville, New Brunswick on December 29, 1919 to Crozier Sullivan and Mary Campbell. He was the second child of four (three sisters: Bertha, Isabel & Alice).

My Mom was born on the family farm in Escuminac, Quebec on January 3, 1920 to Stanfield Allison and Keziah Harper. She was the middle child between her brothers, Seymour and Cluston.

When the Second World War broke out, my Dad answered the call of his country and enlisted with The Royal Rifles of Canada. He wasn’t yet 20.

After serving garrison duty in Botwood, Newfoundland and Saint John, New Brunswick, the Royal Rifles were selected to be part of “C” Force, along with The Winnipeg Grenadiers, to augment the British forces defending the Colony of Hong Kong.

On December 8, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces launched the Battle of Hong Kong, the same day they attacked on Pearl Harbor (International Date Line comes into play). After 17 days of heavy fighting throughout the Island, the British Governor of Hong Kong formally surrendered on Christmas Day. My Father spent the rest of the war as a POW, a “Guest of Hirohito”. My Dad and the other “C” Force battle survivors then had to fight for survival for three years and eight months of starvation, disease, hard labour and torture at the hands of their Japanese captors.

When my Dad returned home, he spent months in the hospital in Valcartier, Quebec recovering from the physical illnesses brought on by severe malnourishment and the psychological issues of prolonged captivity (today we call it PTSD).

After my Dad’s release from the hospital and a period of adjustment to civilian life, my parents were married on July 4, 1952 in Toronto, Ontario.

My parents were hard working people who didn’t have a lot of money, but sacrificed what was necessary to provide for my brother and myself. We never went without a roof over our head or without a good hot meal in our bellies. We were involved with whatever sport we wanted to play and they were there to support us along the way.

We lost my Dad in 1986 and my Mom in 2001, but a day doesn’t go by when I don’t think of them, especially when I’m with my own children. I’m sad they never met their Grandpa Bob and happy they still fondly remember their Grandma Dot.

My parents gave me something more important than material possessions; they gave me a strong moral compass and a sense of duty and responsibility that has served me well throughout my life.

They are the heroes of my life.

Happy 100th Birthday.