Family Life

“When my family moved into the house, it was a small eight-room dwelling with no running water. The house was not insulated and was heated with small wood stoves. When I was little, I can remember my father looking after the coal furnace in the basement. My father always reminded us of how privileged we were to have a roof over our heads and three meals a day. – Brian Treggett

Happy Life, Happy Home

For the Treggett family home was never a sad place to live. They were born and raised in the cemetery lodge, and the cemetery grounds were their playground.

Brian and baby Heather, Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec, c. 1947

“I also have fond memories of Halloween when we would dress up as a little white ghost and play in the cemetery at night and take full advantage of the season. We would scare people walking on the sidewalk near the cemetery.” – Brian Treggett

The position of the superintendent was much more than an 8 to 5 job. The Treggett’s did their best to help families deal with the loss of a loved one. The grieving families knew someone would be present at the lodge to assist them. Visitors to the cemetery would often stop at the lodge for a cup of tea, ice water or use the facilities. In a way, the grieving families were very much part of the family.

However, Jacqueline Gendron, wife of Brian Treggett, remembers that it was not always easy to live in such a public environment.

Jacqueline Memories: Lodge (captions available in both FR and ENG)  – View the video with a transcript

Tea Party Fun

An essential tradition of the Treggett family was tea parties. For many generations, the family truly enjoyed entertaining friends and family with a tea party at the cemetery lodge. Everyone would get dressed up for the occasion and have someone take pictures.

The tea party, Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec, c.1920

“My mother told me that there were lots of fun and parties at William’s house. Aunt May and Aunt Gertrude would organize snowshoe parties, and the house would be just full of young people. Mother also mentioned the nice times she had there as they could all sing and Gertrude and May had beautiful voices.” – Graham Treggett

A special Wedding

Brian Treggett met his wife, Jacqueline Gendron, a girl from Chicoutimi, Quebec, at a discotheque in lower town Quebec in 1969. Brian fell madly in love with her and later married her in 1971.

Jacqueline Memories: Cemetery Life (captions available in both FR and ENG)  – View the video with a transcript. 

Brian and Jacqueline cutting the cake, Mount Hermon Cemetery, Quebec, c.1971

The marriage ceremony was held across the street from the cemetery at  St Michael’s Anglican Church. The service was bilingual and conducted by two priests; one was Anglican and one Roman Catholic. After the church service, they walked across the street to the cemetery and had the reception on the cemetery grounds. They all had a great time with their family and friends. They’ve been together for 47 years and counting.