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Note: Donna Louise Alden-Bugden spent 4 weeks in Grande Cache when her father, Merl, was diagnosed the second time with lung cancer. She spent that time, with her mother, taking care of her father. Using my nursing skills, I helped my father stay comfortable and to be able to stay home to die. My mom and I fulfilled his wish and he died on May 26, 2005, at home with mom, Donna, and Jennifer by his side.
Merl Eugene Alden was born Merlin Mark Eugene Pounder but changed his name in 1958. He is in no way related to the Alden families anywhere, other than his descendants. He is the natural son of James Albert Pounder and Helen Elizabeth Preston. He also had an AKA Lance Warren Alden, but didn't like the way it sounded so he changed it to Merl Eugene Alden.
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CHILDHOOD:
When you were a child, what did you always want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a cowboy and sing like Hank Snow
What were the toys you remember having?
Scooter, stuffed bear.
What were your favorite games as a child?
Monopoly, soccer in school. Snakes and ladders board game.
Where did you live growing up? If you moved during your childhood, which home was your favorite, and why?
First ten years, we lived in Banff, Alberta. Moved to Vancouver in 1941. Vancouver was because of the ocean, swimming and tooting around in row boats etc., and beach combing.
What were your hobbies as a child?
Collecting stamps, identifying wild flowers.
Did you like school as a child? What were your favorite classes? Your least favorite?
I was in grade five and failed that year because of being in the hospital and missed a lot of school. After I went back, I never really like school because I wasn't with t he class I knew. My favorite class was English. My least favorite class was Math.
We each grew up in different times. What do you think was the biggest difference between your childhood and mine?
There was very little money to spend in those days, and that would be the biggest difference. There was more money during your childhood.
Who were your best childhood friends? Why?
I had three friends, Monty, Art Brewster, and Jim Simpson. We hung around together, go hiking, walking in the woods. Art was my next-door neighbor.
Did you and your siblings get along?
Yes, My sister Roberta and I usually got along together.
Were your parents strict? How?
No. I didn't know my Dad very well. My mother's method o f being strict was crying when we were not good. So we would b e good.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Where did you go to high school?
Kitsilano Jr. high School. Vancouver, B.C. I quit school in grade nine, so never attended senior high school
When did you finish high school?
No, however I went back and finished high school in nightschool. When I got out of the army
What were your favorite classes in high school?
History, Social studies.
What were your favorite after-school activities?
While in Banff, I would slide down Tunnel Mountain. Summer time I would swim a lot.
Did you belong to any clubs or organizations while you we r e in high school?
Belonged to Beavers for two years in Banff. Vancouver I was in church groups.
Did you play any sports while in high school, whether o n a team or for fun?
I played Rugby and Soccer.
What were your favorite hobbies when you were in high school?
Collecting stamps. I was interested in Astronomy
What was it you couldn't wait to do once you got out of high school?
I wanted to make money, so my mother wouldn't say "I can ' t afford to keep you any more son". I was tired of being poor
FIRST CAR:
What was your first car? (Make, model, year, color, etc.)
It was a 1950 Morris Minor.
When did you get your first car (year)? How old were you?
I was about nineteen years old.
What was it like, getting your first car?
Give me freedom in getting around.
How long did you have your first car? Why did you get rid of it?
About one year. I burned the motor out on it and I got rid of it.
Do you have any interesting stories about your first car?
I knew very little about maintenance and was driving around one day and it was chugging along. I managed to get in t o a service station and asked the garage attendant what w a s wrong, and he said there was absolutely had no oil in t h e engine. It had burned dry.
VOLUNTEERING:
Did you ever do any volunteer work? (Yes/No, Comments)
Yes, during the war we picked up newspaper and metal, for t he war effort. I volunteered to go and help a neighbor w ho w as sorting out rivets for the war effort.
When and where did you volunteer? What did you do?
We were living in Vancouver 1943-44.
Did you learn any specific skills from your volunteer experience(s)?
How to scavenge, which I still do today.
What did you like or dislike about your volunteer job(s)?
Liked the fact that I belonged to a group. I disliked knocking on doors and bugging people.
Was there a job or place you would have liked to have volunteered growing up?
No that I recall
JOBS:
What was your first job? Please tell me about it.
Working in Woodward's as an elevator, helping people getting on the escalator.
What was the best job you ever had? Why?
Working for Walter Morey as a Portal Bus Driver, Grande Ca c he, Alberta 1980 - 82
What was the worst job you ever had? Why?
Working as a Service man for Mannix, Grande Cache Alberta. Working in sub zero weather servicing large machinery.
Is there a job you haven't had yet that you would like t o have?
Park Warden would be my first choice.
What would your dream job be?
Captain on an Ocean Tug Boat.
COLLEGE:
Did you go to college? If yes, where and when?
Took my grade twelve in Vancouver City College. 1952-56. W h ile in the Insurance Industry I took my Fellowship. Start e d in 1958 to 1966 when I completed my FIIC
Did you receive any college scholarships?
My courses were all paid for through my employer. Received a $500.00 Bonus for passing my fellowship.
What were your major(s), minor(s), and/or field(s) of study?
Field of study was Insurance Industry, law and economics.
What were your favorite college classes?
Law and Economics and Marine Insurance.
What did you like best about going to college?
Feeling of accomplishment, and learning new things.
What did you like least about going to college?
Long hours of studying when I had a family. It took a lot of concentration to complete the courses
Did you graduate from college? If yes, when? Did you go t h rough the ceremony? Who was there to watch you? Do you're member anything specific about the ceremony?
Yes I completed my AIIC (Assoc. of the Insurance Institute of Canada) went on to my FIIC (Fellowship of the Insurance Institute of Canada) completed in 1966.
If you didn't graduate, was there a reason why? How many years did you attend college? Would you like to go back?
It took from 1958 to 1966, which was all done during the evening classes, and while trying to raise a family.
Did you belong to any organizations while you were in college?
I was a member of the Blue Goose, which was an Insurance fraternity.
Did you play any sports while you were in college? Were you on any teams?
no
Are there any stories about college that you'd like to tell me?
Next time around, I would stay in school and finish my education when I was young.
MILITARY:
Were you in the military? If yes, when? What was your job?
Yes I joined in October 5 1948 mainly because I was starving to death. I lied about my age and told them I was 18 ye ar s old, when in fact I was 15. I was an infantryman and subsequently became a paratrooper, and signalman.
Did you fight in and/or serve during a war? Whether you did or not, please comment about your feelings on this topic.
Served during the Korean War but never went overseas. I always felt that I missed out on going over to Korea. I was angry with my Sgt. Major and decided I wasn't suitable for the army and got out after my three years were up.
If you did serve during a war, which war was it? What was it like? What were your duties?
Korean War 1950-53.
If applicable, what countries did you see?
I went to Alaska in 1950. I was also in Fort Benning, Georgia, USA for a air portability course.
Did you get to see anyone famous during this time?
I met Lt.Gen. Guy Simmonds on parade square and also in 19 5 0 in Calgary I met Major General Hamilton Gault, who was the person who formed the PPCLI during the First World W ar an d took them overseas in 1914. He was the Col. in Cheif of our Regiment, and he traveled from England for the Trooping of the Colors.
Are you still friends with anyone you met during the time you were in the military?
Most are now deceased but Charle Ball still lives in Vancouver. and John Poucher lives in Victoria, B.C.
Did anything happen during the time you were serving in the military that you wish you hadn't missed?
My mother got remarried in 1950, my niece was born in Victoria in 1950 and I also should have gone to Korea with m y Regiment.
WEDDING:
How did you two meet? How long before you got engaged? Before you got married?
We met at Toole Peet and Company, which was an Insurance Brokerage we both worked for in 1960. We were engaged in December 1960, and married in February 1961.
When and where did you get married?
Married in Calgary 1961, at St. Michael's and All Angels church.
What was your wedding ceremony like?
Short and Sweet. We were married in St. Michael's and Al l Angels Church, Calgary. Reception was held at Florence' s sister Alice's place.
Did you have a reception? If yes, what was it like?
Reception was in Alice and Nick Budner's basement. Mostly family members, and our very good friend Jim Garner, and Jack Massier. My mother, sister and niece all traveled from Vancouver for the big event.
Were your wedding and reception large or small?
It was small compared to others. But because of the large family members, it would be considered large.
Do you remember any funny stories about your wedding and/ o r reception?
We went to cut our wedding cake and the knife wouldn't cut the plastic that separated the layers. Almost a disaster.
Where did you go on your honeymoon and how long was it?
We travelled to Banff on Saturday night and came home on the following Wednesday.
Do you remember any funny stories about your honeymoon?
We threw feather pillows at each other and one broke. Leaving feathers all over the room. We were in Banff, Alberta.
Do you have any marital advice for me?
Marriage is a life commitment and the marriage vows are t o be taken seriously.
TRAVELING:
What other countries have you been to?
In 1991 I went to Germany to visit Sandra who was there with her then husband Jay Ryan. We visited the surrounding countries of Austria, France, Belgium, Northern Italy and Switzerland.
What did you like about each one?
All were very interesting and educational. I learned a lo t and collected a set of coins from each country.
What didn't you like about each one?
All were very interesting but there was a great deal of pollution and the traffic between the numerous small towns w a s horrific. The Auto Bahn was scary (no speed limit ).
What is your favorite part of this country? Why?
I like the ocean, but we have spent 29 years in the Mountains, therefore this must be our favorite part of Canada
What was the best vacation you ever took? What made it special?
We took a trip to Disneyland, because we were all there to g ether. The kids enjoyed spending rolls and rolls of coin s i n the slot machines.
Where would you like to travel to in the future?
Cuba, Hawaii, New Zealand and mine for opals, in Cooper-Peddy, Australia.
If you could go anywhere in the world, for free, where wou l d you go and why? And/or what would your dream vacation be?
Deep Sea Diving for Lost Treasure, and Mayan Jungle for Artifacts.
LIFE IN GENERAL:
If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?
I would determine what I REALLY want to do with my life and then do it!!!!!!!!
What are some of your goals and/or plans for the future?
At my age, staying alive is a goal every day. (Age 68)
What advice about life can you give me?
If you have an aim in life,. go for it and do not let people or anything dissuade you from it.
What kinds of books and/or magazines do you like to read?
Non Fiction. History, Self-improvement and Biographies of interesting people. eg. Albert Switzer
What are your hobbies now?
Coin Collecting (all coins, dollar bills, cheques, whatever money I can lay my hands on.) Painting in Oils. Reading, Walking, cleaning up the earths environment while out w it h the Dog.
Is there anything you'd like to learn how to do?
Oil Painting like one of the Masters.
FINAL COMMENTS:
What about yourself would you especially like me to know?
I love my family, very much in spite of the times when you all were young; you thought I was mean to you. As parents, we tried our best, to provide for you all, and protect you.
Do you have any advice you've been meaning to give me?
Do what you want to do in life, and be happy doing it. Don ' t let people put you down, or feel inferior. Because you are all good people.
What question(s) do you wish I had asked? What are the answers to these questions?
Has my life been successful? Yes, in the sense that I ha v e not left my wife and family destitute as opposed to my father.
Any final comments?
As Mr. Spock would say "Live Long and Prosper". ___________________________________________
Merl Eugene Alden, F.I.I.C. Dec 23, 1932 - May 26, 2005
Merl Eugene Alden, a 34-year resident of Grande Cache, Alberta passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side after a courageous 6-year battle with lung cancer. Merl was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and moved to Banff, Alberta at 4 months old. Merl and Florence Mabel Trent married in 1961, and lived in Calgary and Vancouver for several years before moving to Grande Cache in October 1971 with their 3 daughters. Prior to his move, he was an active member of the Insurance Institute of Canada achieving his Fellowship in 1969. He was a partner with his wife in Woodland Insurance Agencies until 1985. He worked in several capacities for McIntyre Porcupine Mines, as a real estate agent as well as a real estate appraiser, and finally, before his retirement, he worked as a Correctional Officer. During his retirement, he was a guard for the RCMP. His favourite pastime was walking at the golf course and collecting balls to raise money for youth organizations. He often took his faithful dog 'Shiloh' on long walks with him until her passing in January 2004. In February 1999 he was diagnosed with lung cancer and went into remission in November of that same year. It was only 5 weeks ago we discovered that his cancer had returned.
Merl's life has been full of excitement and adventures from BC to Labrador and Alaska, the United States, and overseas to Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. Merl joined the Canadian military October 5, 1948 and served in the PPCLI as a paratrooper during the Korean War. He was very proud of being in the military and spoke of it often.
He was predeceased by his mother, Helen Elizabeth Keane in 1983 (previously Pounder nee Preston) of Vancouver (Born in Manitou, Manitoba); his father, James Albert Pounder in 1964 in Southampton, England (born in Banff, Alberta), his sister, Roberta Marjorie Schouten of Vancouver in 1982 (previously Perras, nee Pounder) born Banff, Alberta, his mother and father-in-law, Gilbert and Helen Eliza (Habgood) Trent (1979 and 1987, respectively), sisters-in-law (Dorothy (Trent) Scott (1997), Mildred Lillian (Trent) Wieshlow) (2004), and brother-in-law, Wilfred Trent (1994). Also predeceased by his in-law's spouses Dorothy (nee Poulson) Trent (George) (1973), Nicholas Budner (Alice nee Trent) (1991), and Allan Nicholls (Frances nee Trent) (2003).
Left to mourn his loss and keep his memories alive are his wife of 44 years and 3 months, Florence Alden (nee Trent) and his 3 daughters: Helen (Jim) Richards (of Grande Cache), Sandra Alden (Clay MacAskill) (of Grande Cache), and Donna (Allison) Bugden (of Winnipeg, Manitoba). Also surviving are 6 granddaughters: Jennifer Richards (Stephen Joseph), Erin Richards, Tamara MacAskill, Miranda MacAskill, Alyson Bugden, and Olivia Bugden, and one great granddaughter, Emma Joseph.
He also leaves to mourn his loving niece, Roberta Alice (Robbie) and Charles (Chuck) Alexander (nee Perras), 2 grandnephews, Mark Alexander (Jennifer) and their daughter Megan, and Michael Alexander (Theresa) and their son, Benjamin; as well as one grandniece, Michelle Mihaichuk (Steve) and their daughter, Kaitlyn - all of British Columbia. Other surviving relatives include his cousin Theodore Martin (Ted) Orland in Prince George, and Mary Elizabeth Preston in Coquitlam, and honorary cousin Paul Gilbert (Mae) in Studio City, California.
We would like to thank Dr. Van Dyk for giving the family 6 additional beautiful years with Merl. Thank you to the nurses and home support workers at homecare and at the hospital who gave the family the supplies and support they needed to take care of Merl at home. His journey on earth has ended, but his legacy will be carried on through his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, niece, grandniece and grandnephews. Good-bye Merl (Dad). We will meet again. We love you very much!
Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of his life will take place at a memorial service on Friday, June 3, 2005 at 2 PM at the Pineview Alliance Church. If one wishes, donations can be made in Merl's name to Grande Cache Health Complex.
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