by Betty Bardswich
MINDEMOYA—Murray McDermid of Providence Bay was singled out for a special award recently when H. Christine Hand, chairman of the board of directors for Home Hardware, informed him that he was to be inducted into the Home Hardware Stores Limited Builders Circle.
“In commemoration of Home’s 50th anniversary, we have launched this important tribute program to honour those that have played an integral role in establishing Home Hardware as Canada’s largest independent home improvement retailer. The Builders Circle represents an illustrious group of elite individuals who truly embody our slogan of ‘Home Owners helping homeowners with expert advice’ and who have made extraordinary contributions to support the success of our dealers-owners.”
To be inducted into the Builders Circle, recipients must have completed their years of service in good standing as a member of the board of directors or as an officer of Home Hardware stores limited. Only those individuals who have looked beyond their own interests and focused on the greater good of the entire Home network are considered eligible for entry into this prestigious group.” Mr. McDermid was on the Home Hardware board of directors for 10 years and travelled from the east coast to the west coast as well as trips to the United States and all over Ontario.
Mr. McDermid was born in Tehkummah and the family moved to Providence Bay in 1931 and when Murray was a year old and his father bought a furniture and hardware store. When Mr. McDermid grew up, he played baseball in the United States for the Brooklyn Dodgers organization but a fall off the back of a truck put an end to a career in athletics, although he did return for a time in 1950 when a fire burnt the store.
“When I came home,” Mr. McDemid explained, “my father had the two stores and he bought a store in Little Current which he named Murray’s. So I worked full time in Prov and replaced Art Wilkinson in Little Current when he went on holidays. Heck of a good man. He and Sue Ferguson ran that store.’”
Mr. McDermid sold the Providence Bay Home Hardware and retired in 2007. When asked what he does now that he is retired, Mr. McDermid quipped that he goes to the bush for wood ‘when his wife lets him’ and also does leather craft. “It’s a hobby I got into when I got hurt,” he said, “I taught leather craft at night school for 10 years.”
As part of the honour bestowed by Home Hardware, Mr. McDermid also received a specially handcrafted pin and his name will be engraved on the builders circle granite monument located in the Tribute Garden at the Walter J. Hachborn Complex in St. Jacobs. Home Hardware also gives a golden hammer to any employee with 50 years of service. Mr. McDermid has one, as do his wife Toots and his son James.
