Garden River couple rings in 70th wedding anniversary

Doreen and Harold Lesage have gone platinum!

The Garden River couple is in great spirits after celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary alongside 200 of their closest friends and loved ones earlier this month.

Chiefs of past and present, among other notable guests, helped celebrate the giant occasion at the Delta on Aug. 10.

Their family tree of five children, 19 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren — many of whom are now spread across the country — were also well-represented at the big bash.

“The party was wonderful,” Doreen told SooToday. “We have the most wonderful family, and they all work so hard.”

Raised in Garden River, Doreen and Harold knew of each other early on as their families had both logged, so they would visit with each other occasionally.

One story involving a bike was how their acquaintanceship turned into friendship, which eventually evolved into something more.

“When we were young, he had a new bike, and his sister said: ‘Why don’t you borrow his bike?’ I said, ‘But that’s a brand-new bike,’ and she said, ‘Well, he likes you, he’ll lend it to you.’ Years ago, you’d ride on the crossbar, so that’s how it started,” Doreen recalled.

“We knew there was a connection early on,” she continued. “He’d ask me to go to the movies and shows in town. A couple years into dating, we were walking by Whalen’s Jewellers in the Sault, and he asked if he could buy me a ring. It was like a friendship ring.”

“We’re still friends,” Harold laughed.

On Aug. 10, 1954, the couple got married at the Salvation Army church on Wellington Street West, which is now home to Sault Ste. Marie Helping Hands.

Doreen’s parents knew she was going to be well cared for.

“My mom and dad always liked him,” she said. “They saw how he worked so hard with his dad at a young age, and they knew that he would be really good to me and support me.”

In 1959, the Lesages built their own house just past the “Indian Land” bridge along the highway in Garden River.

Sixty-five years later, they still proudly reside there today.

Shortly after his dad passed away, Harold began working for Algoma Steel in 1963.

While it was a comfortable life, the Lesages wanted their kids to have as many opportunities as possible, so Doreen got a job with the Garden River Band Office in 1971 as a social welfare administrator.

She would work there for the next 35 years.

“I said to my husband that I’m going to get a full-time job as well, and he said you don’t have to work,” she recalled. “But if we want more, then I have to go to work. So, as they were growing up, the kids had snow machines and everything we could buy for them. We’re so grateful that they have an education. It’s such a blessing they’re all doing good.”

From watching Garden River evolve over the years, to witnessing dozens of grandkids and great-grandkids enter their lives, it’s fair to say the Lesages have lived a life that few will ever experience.

So, what’s worked so well?

“Understanding each other,” Doreen explained. “There’s no need to argue. Yesterday’s gone by; you’ll never have that back again. Don’t dwell on things of the past, look for the future for better things.”

“And you have to have humour in your life,” she added. “The boys came to fix up the TV for their dad and he loves country music, so all he has to say is: ‘Alexa, I want to listen to Waylon Jennings. Alexa, I want to listen to Merle Haggard.’ I phoned my son and said: ‘I was never jealous of your dad all these years, and now all I hear is ‘Alexa, Alexa.’ She listens to him and plays all his music. What are you trying to do, give us a divorce?’”

A proud grandfather himself, Harold has always wanted to make sure that everyone is comfortable and happy.

It’s safe to say he achieved just that.

“These are all perfect kids,” he said. “Who can ask for anything more? No millionaire can say that. I don’t have the million, but I have many thanks for each one of them kids were perfect. They love another, they get along, and they build their own homes which makes me proud of them.”

Regardless of what happens to their schedules week to week, the Lesages know they can always count on a breakfast outing every Saturday morning with their family.

“This breakfast club started ten years ago,” Doreen said. “There’s about 15 of us who go for breakfast every Saturday morning. It’s become a tradition.”

During SooToday’s visit to the Lesage household, Doreen and Harold proudly showed off some photographs of their deep-rooted past, from old family pictures and wedding photos, to their 50th, 60th, and now 70th anniversary celebrations that have grown in attendance with each passing milestone.

The platinum couple even received special certificates congratulating them on the day, including King Charles III, the prime minister, premier, governor general, and Garden River First Nation Chief Karen Bell.

While the exact number of years they have left with each other is uncertain, one thing remains clear to Doreen and Harold: They’re proud to know that the values they learned from their own parents have successfully passed down to three additional generations — and counting.

“Eat healthy, love one another, respect everyone — that’s what we were taught growing up,” Doreen said. “My dad said everyone is equal in this world, so respect everyone. You don’t have to believe in it — but respect it.”