An 85-year-old Richmond resident was given the birthday of a lifetime while still social distancing.
Steveston resident Jack Tremeer, who just turned 85 on Tuesday, wasn’t sure what to expect when 12:30 p.m. came and a host of cars started honking on the street in front of him. But it turned out to be a celebration that he will never forget.
More than 20 vehicles decorated with colourful signs and balloons drove from a parking lot at 6th Avenue in Steveston to Pajos at Garry Point Park where Davis was standing. Then friends and family members waved and shouted greetings through windows as they passed him.
“I said ‘That’s for you, dad. You better keep looking.’ He was really surprised and felt loved. We had a great turnout, and I am happy he enjoyed it,” said Elaine Davis, who planned the birthday parade for her father.
A traditional birthday party is out of the question in the midst of the pandemic that requires social distancing, but this didn’t stop Davis from coming up with a creative solution.
Davis put out an invitation earlier this week to family, friends and members of ANAF Club 284, a veterans club in Steveston. The whole process took a long time, but the extra effort was worth it.
“Everybody congratulated me for doing a great job, but it will be nothing without participants,” said Davis, adding that she was touched by the overwhelming support from the community.
Jack Tremeer was born in Winnipeg and moved to Steveston when he was a young boy. He worked for BC Packers in Steveston and Canadian Fishing Co. in Vancouver until he retired.
According to Davis, her father enjoys doing volunteer work and talking with members of ANAF Club 284 in his retirement. However, he didn’t expect he could still meet people from the club and other old friends since the club shut its doors weeks ago due to the pandemic.
“There might be a lot of negative things going around right now, but this is something we’ll never forget.
“Participants were also excited to be able to join; it got them out and saw each other. None of them have seen each other in a few months now,” said Davis.
