Family and friends joined Tom Caldwell at a birthday party. Tom is now a young 87.
When leaving a door open to the elements and asked if he was born in a barn, Tom could laugh and say "No, but in a sleigh box at Brada ending up at the Dekker family farm." Tom's mom was ill and they spent a couple of weeks there until his mother was well enough to travel.
Tom attended school at Burnley School. He missed much school working on the family farm helping his father who was a Second World War veteran. Tom worked for many farmers in the surrounding area. He went from horse drawn to four-wheel drive equipment.
One of Tom's first cars was a 1930 Chevrolet, which he traded for a Model A Ford. His friend needed a family car where as Tom could make do with the coup. It was in this Model A Ford that Tom and Lil did their courting.
In 1947, Tom met the love of his life Lillian Seib. They were at a dance and Lil's mom gave Tom the nod to ask Lil to dance. This started a wonderful courtship that lasted almost 60 years. They married in November 1948 and moved to their half section of land with a small house in the Lilac area. Here they raised a family of six, three boys and three girls.
Tom loved horses, they were his passion. He started driving at the age of four years, handling as many as eight horses in the field. Tom could get a horse to do almost anything. He whistled them to work, talking, petting and rewarding them with oats. He could almost be called one of the original horse whisperers.
Tom and Lil loved sports. In winter they curled. Elmer Seib, Tom, Lil and Thelma Seib formed a competitive team, winning many bonspiels. In summer Tom played ball, and was a proficient catcher. One time he played for the WBC Waive Bank Clippers. They loved to follow sports both on TV and in the area. They followed hockey avidly, as their youngest son, Ron, was the goalie for Maymont.
In the mid 1940s Tom worked for the telephone company, installing phones and repairing telephone lines in the Maymont, Ruddell, and Denholm and Lilac areas.
Judy, one of Tom's children, says her dad loves everyone. He is a wonderful father, neighbour and friend and was always willing to give a helping hand to those in need. In the fall of 1954, when her mom and dad lost all their winter feed and the barn to fire, the community all came out to return to her dad the same geneorisity they had always handed out.
Tom played the Mouth Organ for the family for hours when the children were young.
He rarely played for anyone else in those days. Thanks to Mel Deagnon, who came to Tom after Lil's passing and got Tom involved in playing. This "humble man" has become the talk of the community. People from far and wide know Tom Caldwell and gather to listen to that mesmerizing harmonica music.
Thanks Judy and Vivian for your help in writing this article.
Twins, if I get your names mixed up, sorry.
