OWEN SOUND—The MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry has played an important role in the life of author Richard J. Thomas, who regularly travels to Manitoulin and beyond on the vessel that provides a southern link to the Bruce Peninsula. This coming summer Mr. Thomas, a former broadcaster, prolific writer and videographer, is launching a book commemorating the 50th anniversary of the ship.
If you travel the Chi-Cheemaun at all, you likely have heard Mr. Thomas’ dulcet tones. “I am the voice of the safety video,” he laughed. “My friends tease me that they just can’t get away from me.”
The operators of the ferry, the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), were Mr. Thomas’ first customer when he started his videography business in 1999. It seemed natural that the president of the company would reach out to Mr. Thomas to see what could be created to commemorate the advent of the ferry’s 50th anniversary. It was decided that a book would be the way to go.
Mr. Thomas noted that the concept of the ferry as a destination in its own right far predates the recent OSTC campaign to brand the ship. “You know, the entertainment and everything is alright,” he said. “But for many people the Chi-Cheemaun plays an important role in their lives, whether they are travelling to Manitoulin or just continuing on to somewhere else.”
The author has been reaching out to people seeking stories connected to the vessel, and the response has been strong. “I am planning a chapter on passenger stories,” he said. “I must have 40 emails from people already.” Included in the fold are three different couples who chose to get married onboard.
“They chose to have one of the most important days of their lives take place on board,” said Mr. Thomas. “The Chi-Cheemaun is really a part of the family for many people.”
Mr. Thomas noted that he isn’t just sugar coating the deal. “I have a couple of really great ‘worst ride’ stories,” he laughed.
The author noted that The Manitoulin Expositor and the ferry are well-linked in his circle. “Each weekend when we came to the Island, we would sit in a circle and read Pat Hall’s Tehkummah Talk and Times,” he recalled. The final reading ended in tears. “When the person reading the column came to the end, they burst into tears when it said she had passed away. We were all crying.”
Mr. Thomas attended school in Delta, B.C. before moving to Ontario where he studied broadcasting at Conestoga College in Kitchener. In 1983 he moved from radio station CKPR in Thunder Bay to CFOS in Owen Sound. In 1986 he accepted a position as the regional news correspondent for CKCO Television, a job he held until 1999. Since that time, he has owned and operated Richard Thomas Communications in Owen Sound, where he lives with his wife and children.
His bio notes he is “a lifelong reader” who “began writing seriously in 1991. His first novel, ‘Gas Head Willy,’ was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award for the best first novel of 1996. He has been awarded the Heritage Certificate of Recognition by the Grey County Historical Society and in 2018 the Ontario Historical Society presented him with the Carnochan Award for outstanding service to Ontario’s heritage community.
The book launch is slated for the Father’s Day Weekend in Tobermory, but Mr. Thomas said he is hoping to also have a book signing and reading on the ferry this summer as well.
Those wishing to send their stories into Mr. Thomas can email him at chicheemaun50@gmail.com. But don’t delay, he plans to finish up work on the project by the end of March-April.
