Senior’s bio reveals a life well-lived

North End

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/07/2025 (392 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In Bibby’s Journey, David Bibby, 84, recalls a life filled with trauma and triumphs.

Born in England, Bibby writes about his early life in a government-sponsored children’s home in 1950, due to his mother’s illness. Coming from a loving home, Bibby, 15, and his younger siblings, aged 12 and 8, were shocked by the strict rules and regulations and the insensitive treatment they received by the facilities staff. The writer compares their treatment to those of Indigenous children several decades ago in Manitoba.

In his early 20s, Bibby had dreams of owning his own business someday. Energetic and ambitious, he decided the best paying jobs were in the local coal mine. He is made aware of the challenges and the risks involved in working thousands of feet below the earth’s surface. Although he’s had several “close calls”, he’s not deterred.

After two years, he has accumulated enough money for a Lorry (truck). He also bought a house and got married. En route to their honeymoon, he and his wife Chris are involved in a car crash. He’s terribly injured and must recuperate for several months. Meanwhile, Chris is diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and passes away. This is not a soap opera — it’s real life!

This book of stories depicting Bibby’s life journey offers much information about Colliery mining. It even discusses the different varieties of coal. Did you know that miners carry with them a special lamp that can detect poisonous gases down under?

Bibby has a master’s degree in logistics from the University of Manitoba and a 20 year career of teaching adult courses at Red River College. Remarried, the professor’s most recent story has yet to be revealed (the writer is presently penning a second book).

Bibby’s Journey is an inspiring story of determination and grit. It’s also educational and tells you everything you need to know about mining for coal. Too bad that activity is not on my bucket list.