My husband and I recently had a chance to sit down with Bud Fisher, a remarkable man of 91. Bud is an old-timer, born and raised on the same Gower Point property where our conversation took place. He told us that old Doc Inglis had to ride out on his horse through the snow in December 1927 to deliver him, there being no hospital on the Coast at that time. Bud’s great-grandfather was George Gibson.
Elphinstonians will remember Celia Fisher, Bud’s wife, who served two terms as Area E director. Before that she served on the School Board for many years and also on the Museum Board. We have fond memories of Celia, a community-spirited person who gave generously of her time. She was an integral member of the committee who worked to establish the much-needed and well-used Gibsons Recreation Centre.
Bud told us she was a thorough researcher and her files from her time on the SCRD board are neatly organized – a real asset for anyone looking for information from those years: 1999 to 2005. She put together a book, Passing the Torch: Collected Information and Observations from the Files of Celia Fisher. I’m sure her cherished Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives has a copy.
Celia’s many awards include a Diamond Jubilee Medal received from Queen Elizabeth in recognition of her service to the community. Celia was a Gibsons Golden Girl and also received honours from the town of Gibsons and School District No. 46. For all that, she was an unpretentious person who worked quietly on behalf of the community. Celia passed away in October 2016, active until a heart attack claimed her life.
Bud describes himself as a jack of all trades, as so many were growing up on the Coast in those years. He was a log salvager (beachcomber) for many years and also fished (how could you not with a name like Fisher?), trawling all the way up to the Queen Charlottes, now known as Haida Gwaii. He did some log booming and remembers a young Garry Feschuk on the crew on Gambier Island.
Bud and Celia met shortly after she and her family arrived on the Sunshine Coast. Together they had five children, two of whom still live locally. Bud recounted many interesting things, including how Honeymoon Lane acquired its name – due to the number of newly-married couples living on what is now known as Chaster Road. He remembers the Hough dairy farm as the most extensive in the area; Doreen Hough was a friend of Celia’s. Old MacDonald’s farm (seriously!) with its herd of dairy cows was where Elphinstone Secondary now stands.
Please contact me with any Elphinstone history, news, or events at: [email protected]
