Les Farquharson was born on March 31, 1917 in Grey County. His parents, Tom and Ethel Farquharson (Silverthorn) were descendants of Scottish pioneers who farmed there, about halfway between Meaford and Owen Sound, On

He attended high school in Owen Sound, boarding with relatives there. He was a good student and he would mature to be a great man who seemed to excel in a great variety of areas.

William Shakespeare wrote that all the world is a stage and that in our lifetime, we as actors will play many parts. This was certainly true of Les as he filled the roles of student, radar technician, milk inspector, dairy consultant and instructor to name only a few of his parts. He was certainly a role model and champion of volunteers, both in Canada and internationally. He was a Boy Scout leader, an ambulance attendant, a ploughing competitor and a great Rotary Club member, just to name a few.

Above all, this gentleman was a great Christian who filled a great number of positions in the United Church. Over the years, he was a clerk of session, an elder, a treasurer, Sunday school teacher and superintendent and a lay minister who was once called upon to preach the Easter service in Alliston when Rev. Shilton was ill.

The Bible says that a good Christian has to be ready and available at all times, in all seasons. This man was always ready to serve. His favorite Bible quotation came from John 3 v: 16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

During the Second World War, Les was a radar technician LAC "A", serving in Newfoundland, Britain and Greece from 1942 until 1946. Once, while taking a study course in Hamilton, he attended a United Church youth evening event and he met a wonderful young lady who was playing the piano there. He learned that her name was Lillian, a school teacher, the daughter of an industrial carpenter in the community.

Soon, the young woman was dating the airman and they were united in holy matrimony on April 26, 1946. Lillian would be at Les's side for many years as life led them far and wide, both in Ontario and throughout the world. In this short story, it is not possible to relate the many wonderful events of their lives. That would require a complete book. Mrs. Lillian Farquharson actually did write a book entitled "Along the Milky Way" which describes their work in such countries as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru, Sri Lanka and Bucaramanga, Colombia.

After the marriage of this young couple, Les left the Air Force to seek employment in his chosen field which was dairy products. They moved to Owen Sound where he was employed by the North Grey Cheese Co. and in 1957, he was hired by the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food. His work as a milk inspector required a lot of travel. Alliston had an Agricultural office and this introduced him to the town. The couple liked the quiet little community and settled here in 1962.

These busy people found time to raise a family too, Kenneth W., Carol A., and Melvin. After putting down permanent roots in town, Les dedicated much of his free time as a model citizen and volunteer and Lillian's talents as an organist and pianist were in demand too.

The first time I met Les, I had taken my three oldest sons, Scott, Kevin and Shawn to a scout camp on the 7th Concession of Essa Township. There was Les busily involved in preparing the many things that would be needed to organize this large group of young cubs and scouts for a week. No doubt, he had donated his vacation from his work to train these boys. I was very impressed by this fine leader and he is still remembered by a lot of fine men today, who learned many good morals and life skills from this capable outdoorsman.

Well, there is a saying that time goes fast when you're having fun, and Les certainly enjoyed his work and he was appreciated there. He won various awards such as Sanitarian of the year. Suddenly, however, that important age of 65 showed up and it was time to receive the pat on the back and clean out the desk and ride off into the sunset to the tune of "Happy Trails to You".

Some people love to retire and go fishing and take time to smell the roses but our champion volunteer was not such a retiree. Pretty soon he received a phone call from his old boss who was going off to Guatemala as a volunteer and they needed a milk consultant to teach for a while in that country. When we make ourselves available, it is surprising what doors the Lord may open for us and Lillian and Les went through that door without a moment's hesitation. A new adventure had begun.

Over the years, these seniors spent happy times among the needy people of Third World countries, where they were greatly appreciated. Their living quarters were provided, humble as they were, plus a few dollars of spending money.

Lillian spent some of her time teaching English and every day was a new experience and it seemed to keep them young. In 1988, this energetic man received an award by "GEMS" for sorting collected hospital supplies and medical equipment which was sent to developing countries. It was during a work trip to Bolivia that they received the terrible news that their son Melvin had drowned while on a fishing trip. It was a terrible blow.

Even great, strong champions grow old and sooner or later, the human body has to break down. Les suffered his first mini stroke while in Florida in 2002. He recovered quickly but others followed. In January of 2002 he also was hit by congestive heart failure and then in July he was taken by ambulance to Stevenson Memorial Hospital in the night.

He survived the stroke, but the good man was winding down. He spent a year or so in therapy but then he knew he must spend his remaining days in a nursing home. He accepted it with patience and dignity knowing that friends and family support was there for him.

My wife Rosalba and I spent considerable time visiting Les at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. He loved our Bible stories and although he could scarcely speak, he laughed heartily at a good clean joke. He was greatly beloved there and received good care as well as frequent visits to their home on Albert Street. He also enjoyed going by wheelchair to his Rotary Club where he had been presented with a Paul Harris Fellow medal.

Leslie Farquharson passed away on Jan. 24, 2008.

I have never known anyone who had been presented with such a collection of medals and awards, some by great politicians and some by Third World countries. He appreciated them all but he was the kind of man who hoped to one day receive the greatest reward of all when his Creator welcomed him home with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

For more in this series about the yesteryears of Alliston see next Wednesday's edition of The Alliston Herald. Ralph Braden plans soon to publish these stories in a book entitled The Way We Were Then.