I was born in Rosseau in 1948 and have lived here all my life except for a 9 year venture. After completing high school, I went to the big smoke (Toronto) to make my “fortune” in the service station maintenance business. Masonry work was more seasonal and not particularly booming around this time. My rural roots called me back home in 1978 ,I married a local Rosseau girl, started a new home and eventually raised two sons. My Mom, typical of many mothers often suggested that I should pursue some occupation other than a stonemason, like my father. “Typically”’ I did not listen to her advice and I took over Dad’s business in 1979 when he was ready to slow down. In my early school and teen years I spent all summer working with dad, primarily building stone fireplaces, patios and walks etc. One of my first jobs, I remember when I was 13 years old, was at a new cottage on the shore of Morgan Bay, known locally as the “Pink Cottage”, (due to excessive pink granite and pink painted walls). this cottage was owned by a certain “Lady Eaton”. My job was to help paint or grout the mortar joints of a large stone patio at the water’s edge. This property is currently owned by a well known Hollywood entertainer and I believe the pink paint has been changed. The original builder was a local village contractor, Arthur Ariss.