Brazil Street Read online

Dedicated to

  Malcolm “Dickie “ White

  (May 18, 1950 – December 28, 2006)

  Acknowledgements

  What would I do without the help of truly remarkable people like Garry and Margo Cranford, their son Jerry, and the terrific people who make up the team of Flanker Press? People like Laura Cameron, Peter Hanes, Bob Woodworth, Gerard Murphy, and Jennifer Konieczny make the publishing world fun. A special thanks as well for their editing.

  I’d also like to extend thanks, and kudos, to Dwayne LaFitte, who gave Lisa Ivany—the co-author of my first book—and me the encouragement to fulfill our dreams of being writers. Without him giving us a head start, these works may never have been created. Thank you.

  Thanks go to my two children, Heather (Greg Johansen) and Stephen (Cheryl Chapman), who gave me back my life in 2007, when I needed it the most. And especially for my greatest assets, my grandchildren: Joshua, born in 2012, and Maria in 2014. They are my joy and my life.

  To the better side of me who listened to my ravings as I wrote but went along with me anyway, my partner, Marion, thank you for your patience and your understanding. Thanks, dear, for standing by my side. You are wonderful.

  To my best friend of this era, Stephen Phillips, who loved my writing and encouraged me like the good friend he was: you’re the wings on my shoulders as I write this one for you. I know I will see you again one day.

  Special acknowledgement to Linda White, Memorial University, and the City of St. John’s Archives for permission to use the pictures from the Stanley Pickett Collection and for the written comments that illustrate the poor living conditions of our city in the 1950s and 1960s. Thank you so much for your help.

  To the people at the City of St. John’s Archives in the old CN Railway station, I have deep gratitude for the pictures in this book. It is the third time those good folks have come to my aid. So, thanks go out to Alanna Wicks and Neachel Keeping.

  Thanks to Brian and Tom Healy of Healy’s Pharmacy for information on Tommy Ricketts, a great man and war hero. Your help has been invaluable. It’s a shame that, when I first met Mr. Ricketts, I had no idea just how remarkable a man he was.

  Special thanks to Alex and George Faulkner, great hockey players and nice people, who gave me details about themselves and their hockey careers. It was a pleasure talking to both of you. I appreciated your insight about the NHL and playing with all-time greats from the Detroit Red Wings.

  I want to pass on my gratitude to the Downey family, especially Wilson Downey, for piecing together all the information about his father, Norman J. Downey. Without him and Norman Downey Jr. (Norm’s grandson), I would have had only half the story. Thank you both for your input.

  To my friend and co-worker Linda Gulliver for her help on the story of Gulliver’s Cabs, many thanks. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and your help. I would also like to thank Fred Gulliver for the information about his grandfather, who started the family taxi business in 1942.

  To a good friend and former educator whom I now work with, Walter Higdon, who gave me some incredible ideas for this book, thank you. I appreciate it very much.

  To Kevin Strowbridge, who presented me with some pictures of the past, I am grateful.

  I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank the many people who have read my books and contacted me through email to tell me how much they enjoyed them. I thank you all. I hope you have enjoyed Brazil Street as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  About the Author

  Photo by Marion Penney

  Robert Hunt was born and raised in St. John’s, where he still lives. He is the father of two children, Stephen and Heather. Robert is co-author with Lisa J. Ivany of Christmas Memories, At Heart, and Christmas Treasures. His first two books as sole author were the critically acclaimed St. John’s memoirs Corner Boys and Townies. He can be reached by email at: [email protected].