The Stories Behind the Bricks
Each engraving tells a unique story. We invite you to read the heartfelt inscriptions within the ENSS Garden of Hope.
We invite anyone who has dedicated a brick to share the story behind it.
NOTE: Please be patient as this page loads ~ there are lots of photos to enjoy!
Corporate Bricks
Happy Campers
A group of friends that feels more like family is the way I would describe “The Happy Campers”. Having spent the majority of summers together since 2016, a very strong bond has been formed between the Lajoie, Hunter, Towers, Foster and Freeman families. A bond that would be forever changed after the loss of a very dear friend, mother and sister, Kelly Hunter-Lajoie in April of 2019. This brick was dedicated in honour of Kelly to help raise funds for cancer research in hopes that one day, nobody has to go through the loss of anyone; family or friend. There is HOPE that one day, cancer may be cured.
In Memory of Jane Wright
Jane was the epitome of loving kindness and always put others’ needs before her own. A lover of art, travel, politics and sports, Jane traveled the world with curiosity, painted with proficiency and proudly cheered on her favourite teams, the Raptors and the Buffalo Bills. You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger sports fan than Jane! Her witty humour and compassion will be greatly missed by all her family and friends and the void she leaves behind is simply incomprehensible. “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and we have received it.”
In Memory of Brian Todd
Educated at Queen’s University, Brian began teaching in Kingston in 1963. He felt extremely fortunate moving to Brighton to become principal of East Northumberland SS in 1972 and later in 1983 to become Superintendent of Northumberland-Durham Board of Education. Brian retired in 1995 and became a Brighton Community supporter. He was past Master of the United Masonic Lodge #29 and District Deputy Grand Master of Prince Edward District in 1992. Brian was active in the community through Lions and Brighton Legion Branch 100. He was involved in the Brighton Curling Club as an active curler and past president. Brian was one of the founders of the Brighton Health Service Centre and Chair from its inception in 2001. He was actively involved in the quest for a new community sports field in Brighton. He was hoping to see the opening of this project. Brian was active in Brighton Rotary Club for many years, served on many committees and recently honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was honoured as Brighton’s Citizen of the year in 2009. The recognition of Brian’s life-long devotion to community service lives on through the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund, which serves as an incentive to all community organizations that aspire, as Brian did, to improve the quality of life for all Brightonians.
The FBI
We were finally teenagers, past the monkey-bar stage and too young for high school dances, but wanting to be sociable. We decided to form a club which would give us an excuse to get together (and mainly eat!). There were nine of us who had attended Brighton Public School for most of our lower grades and were then, in 1954, in grade 8. At our first meeting, the first order of the day was to find a name for our club. After various suggestions, we settled on the initials FBI then had to find a suitable nomenclature – thus the Friendly Brats Institute was formed. Next on the agenda were guidelines for Friendly Brat: to be proper, positive, caring and, of course, friendly. We designed the logo together and each of us embroidered it on a small piece of green felt – there was a safety pin attached to the back so we would wear these logos like a badge. We usually met on Friday evenings and our programs consisted of first going to a movie, skating, bowling or listening to records while or prior to nibbling on chips and popcorn. The main thing was, we were all together. What more could one ask for? Unfortunately we lost Eleanor in 1991 to a car accident and Ann in 1993 to cancer. However, decades later the “FBI” still gathers as time and distance permits and we’re still eating!
Beth, Carol, Catherine, Louise, Lynda, Sandy
Family Bricks
In honour of the East Northumberland District High School Championship Team!
Len Shacklock
A loving husband and very best friend to Brenda. Len saw good in everything; he was truly a great man. He was wise and courageous, thoughtful and loving. His journey was indeed a masterpiece.
This brick is in honour of my little brother, precious to me and to all of his family.
He was an amazing character, so full of fun, knowledge and a truly wicked and wonderful sense of humour. It is hard to write his story as he should still be here “living his story”, living his life. Instead a lifetime of smoking led to debilitating COPD with extreme breathing issues. Oxygen did not help as his lungs gradually lost the power to expel CO2.
Too weak to cope with climbing stairs, he spent his last few months on one level of his three-level home. He was much too ill to go out and enjoy any real life or family activities. He was past the point of any enjoyment/fun in his life. Sadly he passed away in hospice care in May 2019. He was ten years younger than me. A life diminished and cut short by smoking.
Life is choices! Please give yourself the gift of life!
The choice my brother made shortened his life and shortened our time with him.
His family is no longer whole. It is missing a brother, a husband, a father and a grandfather.
We all miss him very much.
For Ms. Wilson
This brick is dedicated to the staff advisor of the ENSS Hope Project, Ms. Nancy Wilson. We are forever grateful for her belief in the project, unwavering support, work ethic, and continual kindness. -Aidan and Max
Individual Bricks
For Robert
My husband died of cancer in 2016.
Bob was an educator with the former Metro Toronto Separate School Board.
Learning of Aidan’s involvement in the ENSS Hope Project caused me to dedicate a brick in Bob’s memory … a fitting memorial indeed! -Catherine
For Norman from G.U.M. (Great Uncle Mark)
“I was near your age (all of 17) when my father, your great-grandfather, died of cancer in 1977. The ENSS Hope Project is an excellent way to honour and remember family, friends, anyone and everyone who died of cancer and to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Well done ENSS!
A commemorative brick in memory of NORMAN H. MCCUE (whose grandchildren and now great grandchildren continue to attend ENSS) has been ordered to be included in the ENSS Garden of Hope.
Well done G.U.M.!
Much thanks and much more love.” -Mark McCue
ENSS Garden of Hope 