Fond farewells

Retiring custodian Charles Hamilton shares a laugh with President Tom Traves at the retirees tea Tuesday (Danny Abriel photo)

When Charles Hamilton started working at Dalhousie in April 1966 – it was a Monday, he recalls – the Tupper Building was on its way to completion. In 2009, as he retires from his job as a custodian with Facilities Management, the Life Sciences Research Institute is being built right next door.

The more things change, the more they stay the same?

“Business was booming then, and it’s still booming now,” said Mr. Hamilton, reflecting on the changes he’s seen during his 42 years working on campus.

Mr. Hamilton was one of 15 Dalhousie retirees who attended a special reception in their honour on Tuesday hosted by President Tom Traves and his wife Karen. It was a moment to celebrate their contributions to the Dalhousie community and reflect on their years of service to the students, faculty and staff that walk the university’s halls.

“I have mixed feelings, for sure,” explained Linda Conrad of the Faculty of Engineering’s Dean’s Office, saying that while she’s glad to be retired, there’s a lot about Dalhousie she’ll miss. “There’s the students, for one, and all the wonderful relationships I’ve made with colleagues and the community in general…it’s been a wonderful 17 years, and it’s hard to believe it’s coming to an end.”

“This is a great university, but it’s only a great university because it has great people working in it,” said Dr. Traves, toasting the attendees. “When you look back on your careers, you should do so with a tremendous sense of satisfaction and pride.”

As for Mr. Hamilton, his immediate plans are to spend more time walking – he tries to get out around Point Pleasant Park for a couple of hours each day – and he wishes all the best for the university he leaves behind.

“I met a lot of good people here,” he says. “Hopefully everyone will stay good now that I’m gone!”

Other Dalhousie retirees who were honoured at the reception at Shirreff Hall included:

Jennifer Bankier
David Biggs
Elizabeth Cameron
Fay Cohen
Jack Duffy
Forest Fyfe
Carolyn Green
Michael Poulton
Matiur Rahman
John Sherwood
Fred Wien
Mary Wile
Sheila Wile
Martin Willison