Katz to celebrate 64 with baby No. 4

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/06/2015 (4052 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tired of all the angst, anger and fear-filled onslaught of negative news? Well, people say they are, but do they really want to hear something newsworthy that’s happy? Even just for a change?

Well, I do. So here are some glad tidings. At least I consider it good news.

Earlier this month, I happened to meet former mayor Sam Katz in the parking lot of the new Walmart on Taylor Avenue. It was just before the Goldeyes opening-day game, and he seemed more relaxed and happier than I’ve seen him in years. Sam suggested being relieved of the burden of office — the calls at all hours — and all that goes with it has made his life easier.

It was a quick chat, just us catching up after the last time we’d seen each other. It was late last summer, on the evening before Faron Hall’s burial. We had been invited to Thunderbird House where, standing in front of Faron’s casket, we both spoke after being honoured by the Hall family with gifts of blankets.

The family was thankful to the mayor for the way he had honoured Faron after the first of two river rescues that also resulted in the homeless hero being recognized in both the Manitoba legislature and the House of Commons.

When Sam and I met again in the parking lot, I mentioned I was hoping to start a campaign to honour the homeless hero with a statue. And, without my asking, Sam immediately said he wanted to be counted in. “We’ll support it corporately,” he said that day.

Monday, we spoke over the phone for the first time since our chance meeting — this time about something unrelated — and Sam asked about the statue project again.

So far, Katz and the Goldeyes are the only ones who have stepped forward.

I’m hoping to hear from others who recognize the merit in remembering the man and all he represents.

And I do mean all.

Which brings me to my reason for calling Sam on Monday. I had heard something from a mutual friend that required Sam and his wife, Leah, to confirm and permit me to share.

Some happy news.

Sam and Leah Katz are expecting their second child — a little girl. She’s scheduled to arrive in November to join brother Aidan, who’ll be three by that time, and Sam’s other kids, Ava, soon to be 14, and Kiera, 10.

Sam, if you must know, will be into his 65th year when she arrives. He turns 64 in August.

There’s a bonus to being a dad again at that age, suggested Sam, who’s already playing T-ball with little Aidan.

“They do keep you young.”

 

SPEAKING OF BIRTHDAYS, LOOK WHO JUST TURNED 100…

A belated happy 100th birthday wish to Winnipeg’s oldest former police officer, Ken Hansell. Ken’s colourful life and times were featured in this column last year (The last police witness), complete with the story about how he was invited to join the city department. As a young man in the 1930s, Ken earned the cops’ attention after happening upon and bravely foiling an armed robbery getaway in front of a Portage Avenue drugstore.

Anyway, earlier this month on his 100th birthday, more than 100 people — family, friends and various dignitaries — turned out for the celebration at the Masonic Temple. Among those present was police Chief Devon Clunis.

“He shook my hand,” Ken recalled Monday when we spoke. Former police chief Herb Stephen turned out, too. As did former deputy chief Joe Gallagher.

“A lot of my friends were there,” Ken said. As for gifts, the one he mentioned when I asked came from the Winnipeg Police Association.

“It was a wallet with a police badge in it.”

And what was the best part of his birthday?

“Seeing all my old friends,” he said. “I love people, you know Gordie.”

Oh, yeah, I know that. As does anyone who’s ever been blessed to meet Ken Hansell.

“I’ve always been good to everyone,” Ken added. “And everyone’s been good to me.”

 

— — —

AND FINALLY… Speaking of happy and birthdays, happy Canada Day and 148th birthday to all of us.

To paraphrase my 100-year-old pal Ken Hansell, may all of you be good to everyone, and may everyone be good to you.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca