As another year passes, I am most grateful for the many blessings I’ve had and have in my life.
I was blessed with great family over 5 generations. Entrepreneurs mostly, who all loved people and contributed by helping others where they could.
We love to feed people, runs in the family, with most and some still, involved in the food business.
My Elliott grandparents started with a small grocery store in 1926, in the front room of their apartment, in the north end of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The “ Hammer” (as nick named). I have a photo of the small front window with hand written signs, “Lux soap- 5 cents”, another “ground meat-10 cents/lb”.
I was born upstairs in that second floor apartment in 1954. However, before that, my grandparents bought a small building across the street, which became C. E. Elliott and Sons. First it was just a small butcher and grocery. Through the depression and second World War, they supplied food to many in the north end. I remember my granddad Charlie, telling me many days they didn’t know if they’d have enough of anything.
When my Father Ken was 16 years old, he went to Upper Lakes Shipping in Toronto, to meet with Mr. Jack Leitch. He convinced Jack (who had just taken over his family business after his father passed), to let our family look after one of his ships with provisions for a season and he’d save ULS money. All went well and one year later, CE Elliott’s had the entire ULS fleet of ships to provision. From there the Elliott’s acquired business from most of the many fleets operating in those days, when most ships were under 300 feet long in the lakes.
My dad also opened restaurants and we had two Dairy Queen stores (I leased one at age 16 for couple of years—love milk shakes!), but dad spent the latter 30 years of his career in the scrap metal and shipbreaking business. First for Mrs. Ida Levy in Hamilton, then on our own, when dad and I started in business for ourselves.
I have had and continue to have a career in recycling since then (1973).
Thanks to my family, including all sons, many friends, great mentors and hard work, 2020 will be my 50th year “in business”. Time passes quickly to be sure and I have many wonderful memories of the past years and great people along the way.
More than 20 years ago, my life was saved by the Strauss family and they’re world class product, Strauss Heart Drops. Ever since, my passion is strongest in the ways I have been some part of helping others with their health. I have so many great experiences with people and results with their health, starting with myself, family and many friends.
My learning from Jim Strauss Sr. was the most profound experience of my life, having the most effect on my life every day. To start with, I know without any doubt, I was in real heart health trouble in my early 40’s. Clogged arteries and blood flow were issues for many in our family.
After the Strauss Heart Drops saved my life, they and Jim Strauss Sr. changed my life forever and I am rewarded constantly with feeling good about the others I have helped.
Sorry for the long Merry Christmas, but I felt compelled to share my gratitude and short story.
May God Bless you and yours and my sincerest best wishes for perfect health in 2020 for everyone.
As always, stay well.
Wayne