by fireman12 » November 26, 2014, 10:32 am
Imagine my dismay and sorrow when I read this morning`s obituary
announcement for my colleague , former boss and friend Chief Engineer Arthur ` Art ` Christenson . I`ve known Art for 42 years,
It came as a complete shock to me as I had no idea he was ill , I
knew he was retired , but as usual the last ones to know are the ones furthest away .
Art was a graduate of George Brown College`s Marine Engineering
program , and a native of Sault St. Marie , Algoma Central`s base of operations . And Algoma was wise enough to see the potential in this young lad and hired him on the spot .
In the spring of 1973 Art came on board the Algocen as Second Engineer , and I was his oiler on the 4-8 watch . He was a very competent Engineer and he had those 4 Fairbanks running like Swiss clocks in due time . That was where I learned about the proper upkeep and maintenance of those OP behemoths , and I
took that with me as a lesson well learned .
Art was then sent to the newly built Algoway as Second , and then was promoted to Assistant Engineering Superintendent at
head office in the Sault , an achievement that did not go unrecognized , as many were astounded at his rapid rise in the company . That fall I left the Algocen , and joined the V.W. Scully
as oiler , so when Art came aboard one day in the canal we were both surprised and glad to see each other . We stayed in touch always after that year .
In the spring of 1988 I ended up back with Algoma , as relief Engineer on the late Algoport . With Art`s back up , he was Superintendent now , and the Chief`s , I was promoted to relief Second Engineer that summer , my first time ever as a Second . I`ll forever be indebted to Art for his involvement in that decision. It boosted my confidence , and I took my career to a new level .
Over the years I moved around , and I lived in Port Colborne in the
1990s , dropping by to chew the fat with Art at Algoma`s old
Port Colborne office by Lock 8 . Art never changed , still the same
wise cracking down to earth lad he was , he never looked down
on anyone , the best boss I guy could have . I always looked forward to his visits at Lock 8 , that laugh and smile of his so there you know .
He left us far too soon , joining so many others here that have done so , this time though it is much harder . Art , I`ll miss you
as many others do now , you were the best . RIP my friend , RIP .
Imagine my dismay and sorrow when I read this morning`s obituary
announcement for my colleague , former boss and friend Chief Engineer Arthur ` Art ` Christenson . I`ve known Art for 42 years,
It came as a complete shock to me as I had no idea he was ill , I
knew he was retired , but as usual the last ones to know are the ones furthest away .
Art was a graduate of George Brown College`s Marine Engineering
program , and a native of Sault St. Marie , Algoma Central`s base of operations . And Algoma was wise enough to see the potential in this young lad and hired him on the spot .
In the spring of 1973 Art came on board the Algocen as Second Engineer , and I was his oiler on the 4-8 watch . He was a very competent Engineer and he had those 4 Fairbanks running like Swiss clocks in due time . That was where I learned about the proper upkeep and maintenance of those OP behemoths , and I
took that with me as a lesson well learned .
Art was then sent to the newly built Algoway as Second , and then was promoted to Assistant Engineering Superintendent at
head office in the Sault , an achievement that did not go unrecognized , as many were astounded at his rapid rise in the company . That fall I left the Algocen , and joined the V.W. Scully
as oiler , so when Art came aboard one day in the canal we were both surprised and glad to see each other . We stayed in touch always after that year .
In the spring of 1988 I ended up back with Algoma , as relief Engineer on the late Algoport . With Art`s back up , he was Superintendent now , and the Chief`s , I was promoted to relief Second Engineer that summer , my first time ever as a Second . I`ll forever be indebted to Art for his involvement in that decision. It boosted my confidence , and I took my career to a new level .
Over the years I moved around , and I lived in Port Colborne in the
1990s , dropping by to chew the fat with Art at Algoma`s old
Port Colborne office by Lock 8 . Art never changed , still the same
wise cracking down to earth lad he was , he never looked down
on anyone , the best boss I guy could have . I always looked forward to his visits at Lock 8 , that laugh and smile of his so there you know .
He left us far too soon , joining so many others here that have done so , this time though it is much harder . Art , I`ll miss you
as many others do now , you were the best . RIP my friend , RIP .