Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
A smile really can go a long way.
And this certainly is the case for anyone who has a run-in with Dennis Ransom from Fort St. James.
“I sure like yapping,” Dennis Ransom says as he greets everyone he meets with a bright smile and a quick joke on the side.
Ransom couldn’t imagine being anywhere else other than in the Fort.
Born and raised in a small town called Berkeley, just outside of Markdale, Ontario, Ransom went on to work in Kitchener, Ontario for a few years but there was still something missing.
“My brother-in-law lived in Fort St. James, so I did it, I made the move,” Ransom said.
Arriving in 1978, Ransom worked for Takla Mill and then went on to work as a grader operator for Yellowhead Bridge where he retired four years ago.
Ransom raised three children in Fort St. James and he couldn’t be any happier with his partner, Janet who he has been with for the last 17 years.
“I wish we met years ago,” Ransom said.
“Fort St. James is such a great place to be,” Ransom said. “It has the bush and it’s close to the city. It has everything I want.”
In his free time, Ransom enjoys working for the Seniors Helping Seniors Program where he drives other seniors to various appointments in town and beyond.
“I go to Prince George quite a bit,” Ransom said. “I often have to take people to medical appointments or to the hospital.”
“I love it. I think I was born with a steering wheel in my hand. And I love the people. I enjoy their company and I learn so much from them.”
Ransom didn’t always think that the Fort would be his home.
“I left here for a little while and went back home to look after my dad,” Ransom says. “But I realized that I missed it,” Ransom said.
“Then I decided it was time to come back because the Fort really is my home.”
