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SAM McKINNON – BUSINESS MAN AND COMPASSIONATE FRIEND
This is one family’s testimonial of how Sam McKinnon gave, not only years of service to local residents, but also how he gave assurance of peace and comfort to them during a time of fearful anxiety and uncertainty. We have never forgotten Sam’s kindness during this stressful time and we want to share these special memories of your grandfather with you.
In the winter of 1972, our son Christopher was critically ill and in the hospital for 21 days. Our little Christopher was barely sixteen months old when an unknown illness caused his fever to stay spiked at 105 degrees, deeming him to be semi-conscious for close to three terrifying weeks. Doctors at the medical center in Burlington were baffled as tests continually ruled out any symptoms that could identify the ongoing illness. His mother stayed at the hospital in Burlington with him while Dad took care of the other three children and made daily trips to the hospital.
At that time there was a gas shortage and gas was being rationed. We were very concerned about being able to get enough gas to get back and forth to hospital and home to take care of our other three children. Sam called our home and said, “I don’t want you to worry about getting enough gas, I always keep enough for emergencies. You come to the garage after I close and we’ll keep your tank full”. What a relief that was to us. At a time when we were so worried about our child his kindness meant more to us than he could have ever known. We had always known what a kind hearted man he was but he truly touched our hearts in a special way.
Christopher is now a Dad of two children and we hope that if either one of them ever became ill that there would be someone else out there with the compassion and kindness of Sam McKinnon.
Martin & Marielana Thompson
3998 South 116 Road
Bristol, VT. 05443
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jim allen & Brigette Peachie
Greetings, my wife's family grew up in Bristol VT. We now live in Charlotte NC.
Her brother knowing I am a train enthusiast recently sent me a link to your website.
I took one of your photos and colorized it. My wife's maiden name is Brigette
Pechie, her parents names were Joe and Nancy.
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Jacqueline (Hier) 19 School Street
My name is Jacqueline (Hier) Whited and my dad's family lived at 19 School Street in Bristol, Vt. My grandparents (who were also my God-parents) were William and Agnes (Cousino) Hier, and they raised 10 children in that home. Gordon Francis Hier was my dad's name. Grampa was a barber and his shop was in his home. After serving in the Navy in WW2, dad met and married my mother, Marcelle Legault of Montreal, Canada. They had me and my sister (Lillian) and then moved to Southern California, where they had 4 more children (Bill, Marie, Paul, and Karl) and they lived in Montclair, CA until my mother's death in November 2000. (Dad died in January 1991). I have wonderful memories of Bristol thanks to trips my parents took us on to visit there. Fishing with Grampa, Bartlet's Falls, bands in the gazebo in the park, Main Street. I was last there in July 2000 with my husband and my 3 sons, and they loved it. Such a beautiful town. I only wish I was able to come more often.
