Reflections of Windsor 1938 - 2013

Mill Closure with Lee Pitts and Melanie Nagy

Hockey Retirement Ceremony Al Bargery

On January 14th 2013 an idea that have been floating around for almost a year started to see the light of day. The idea was to celebrate the history of the birthplace of Municipal Town Council in Newfoundland. That place was the former town of Windsor on Tuesday November 1,1938. I tried to sell the idea in 2012 to some individuals but more or less was told we are one town and it would be dividing the community. I responded by saying we were one in 1991 and 14 years later we celebrated the 100 anniversary of the Mill and former town of Grand Falls.


To make a quick summary of how we got here this is how it went. In 1905 two Harmsworth brothers arrived at Grand Falls Station to begin construction of a paper mill for it publishing properties in England during the War, in what became known as Grand Falls. If you had no residence or invited in to setup business you were not welcomed by the (A.N.D.)Company. You then had to go to what was known as the Station along the railway track and live in substandard conditions. As time went on local residents led by J.P. Spencer went to St. John's came back and setup a board to manage the Station's affairs in 1937.In November 1938 the Station Community was Incorporated and became known as Windsor, run by a board of management. In 1942 the Windsor Act was proclaimed and affairs would be run by what was known as a council with a Mayor and elected Councillors.


It was in the spring of 2012 that i noticed that the former town of Windsor would celebrate 75 years as Newfoundlands first Incorporated Municipal Town Council. I started talking to people over the next few months but nothing happened and it was getting no response from anyone. I felt brushed aside by the town at the time and was toiling with the idea of giving up on it. I then said to myself, I be dammed if I will give this idea up so i forged ahead.


On January 14th I setup a facebook group to gauge public interest. I started to post comment and pictures etc and the public especially former residents loved the idea. The facebook page was doing well and along comes now Councillor Tom Pinsent and wanted to know what was going on and got involved. We had our first meeting on Tuesday Febuary 19th at 7 Pm at St. Joseph's. Only one or two people showed up but we went ahead with planning a small celebration. We got together a couple more times after that and decided we would go with a barbecue on July 6th sponsored by Main Street merchants. As time went on we toiled with the idea of free swimming and skating. I found a sponsor for the swimming in former Windsor resident Leo Power who now lives in St. Johns. It took place on August 11th at the former Windsor Pool now run by the YMCA. As for the skating we were having a problem getting a sponsor so I enlisted my sister and her husband from Nova Scotia who were glad to take it on for our September event. There was an ecumenical service booked to go ahead as our October event but was cancelled by Ministerial Association. This now takes us up to the main event.


On September 15th tickets for the main event the Incorporation dinner and dance went on sale at a price of $40.00 double or $25 dollars single.

Did you know that there was a meeting held at St. Joseph's and letters and a petition were sent to the Commission of Government requesting that the act of Incorporation be squashed and the original name be restored. The protesters wanted to become part of Grand Falls and people were against the Board of Management. People felt the board had too much power and they didn't want to separate from Grand Falls. The Government responded and asked for a more substantive report. On December 9th 1938 protesters gathered near the railway station waving banners and shouting. We don't want Taxation We don't want Taxation. The government of the day allowed the act covering the operations for Windsor to stay. So it is only fitting that we should hold the 75th Anniversary dinner and dance at St. Joseph's Parish Center.

Municipal Affairs

September 9, 2013 Town’s 75th Anniversary of Incorporation Reinforces Importance of Local Governance Municipal councils are the cornerstone of towns and cities across the province, and contribute greatly to the development and growth of sustainable communities. This is particularly significant as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of Windsor as the first town in Newfoundland and Labrador. “This is a significant milestone, as it allows us to take a moment to look back at the history of this province, and the changing face of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Through the perseverance of individuals, and councils, we have been able to improve basic services such as garbage collection and street lighting to support our communities as new industrial growth occurs across the province. This work allows all of our residents to enjoy a greater quality of life within their communities.” The former Town of Windsor was incorporated in 1938. The nearby community of Grand Falls was a company town, with the majority of its residents working for the A.N.D Company. Others living in the area built their own community around the local railway station, which became known as Windsor in the 1930s. The two towns amalgamated in 1991. The incorporation of towns in the province allowed for greater local involvement and provided a mechanism to setup municipal councils to work on behalf of residents for the improvement of important services. The Town of Windsor Act made Windsor the first community outside of St. John’s with its own formally incorporated and elected council. This new council was able to administer the growing town, regulate development, and ensure safe conditions for residents. “On behalf of the Provincial Government, I offer thanks to all of those who have played a role in their communities over the years,” said Minister O’Brien. “In particular, as we approach the municipal election, I encourage all residents to take inspiration from our proud history of formal local government and Make Your Mark by supporting the candidates for election, and voting on September 24.”

St. Joseph's Academy Reunion 2012

Well, it is all over, the lights have been turned out on the first ever St. Joseph's Academy Reunion, July 26th - 29th. What a reunion it was? From all accounts everyone and anyone associated with it are singing the praises of the organizing committee who worked over the last 14 months in putting it together. People like Peter Curran, Neil Carey, Mary Chow and our finance person Mary Poole along with many others. Just over 400 attended the dinner following church for deceased members of our school. A top notch job by Doreen’s catering and Donnini's in serving such a large crowd in record time. There were four night of celebrations that went off like clockwork without a hitch. Registration night was a blast by all accounts of the impromptu dancing by students to the sounds of former student, JOCKO John Glavine. There were many people who returned from other parts of Canada and the United States who were overjoyed to be attending. Some even had their mainland spouses screeched in as we call it. The last serving principal of St. Joseph's Mr. William Hanlon brought greetings on behalf of former teachers. There were a number of students one age 90 and a couple in their mid 80's. One student came from New Brunswick who was 84 I do believe. What would the reunion be if I never mentioned the architect of St. Joseph's school the late Father Meany? He came to our area in 1940 as a young priest becoming the first pastor of St Joseph's Parish. He along with parishioners built St Joseph's from a two room school, to 24 rooms and over 600 pupils at peak time. Father Meany retired from St Joseph's Parish in 1979. We were saddened at the start of our Reunion to have to bury another former student Kevin Murray. Kevin was a great fiddle player for many years. A memory that won't soon be forgotten by former students of St Joseph's is the tragic death of Terry Jackson March 1st 1963. He was killed by a train at the age of 10 following the first Friday Mass that was part of the Catholic faith back then. He would have turned 60 on June 24 of this year. Some student who was there during this period said, “we all went back to school that afternoon as if nothing ever happened". People of St Joseph's Academy we all can hang our heads high and be proud of our former school and students. In my opinion it will take a very longtime to top this reunion. Our reunion motto “St Joseph Our Patron, Guide and Guardian,"