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The following is an interview with Jeremy "Jay" Fancott, a long-time Pointe-Claire resident and member of the West Island Men’s Shed.

Edward: Jay, let’s start by telling us a bit about yourself.

Jay: Well, I am 90 years young. I was born in Montreal where I lived on a street called Cedar. In 1938, I moved to Pointe-Claire, ironically on a street also called Cedar Avenue. I was married for 60 years and my wife passed away four years ago.

Edward: Do you have any children?

Jay: Yes, I have two daughters. My youngest lives with me, which is a great blessing, and my oldest lives with her husband in Oslo, Norway. Both my daughters love to travel and have worked extensively in different parts of the world.

Edward: What was your profession?

Jay: I was a pilot who worked for more than 40 years, mostly with Trans-Canada Air Lines, which became Air Canada in 1965. In my last four years of working, I flew the big 747 airplanes! I retired at the age of 60, which was mandatory at that time. I really enjoyed this career.

Edward: Where were some of the places that you flew?

Jay: I flew all over the world; I’ve flown across Canada, the USA, Europe and many different places in Asia — Hong Kong, Seoul, Korea, India, and Japan.

Edward: Are you still in touch with some of your airline colleagues?

Jay: Yes, indeed. Though we are older, there are many of us still around. I am involved with a national group called the Retired Airline Pilots of Canada. Locally, there is a group of 8 to 10 of us retired pilots who meet every Thursday for lunch, usually at Brasserie Le Manoir in Pointe-Claire.

Edward: How do you keep yourself in such great shape?

Jay: Besides maintaining my house, which requires quite a bit of work, I keep fit by cross-country skiing in the winter and cycling during the other three seasons. I also keep busy by being involved socially with several groups such as the West Island Men’s Shed.

Edward: In regard to the West Island Men’s Shed, what got you involved, and why do you continue to participate?

Jay: Men’s Shed is really a good venue to reach out to older men, especially those who are isolated. I am not really in that same boat, however, I am a very active member because I enjoy the friendship and camaraderie.

Edward: Finally, if you could grant one wish to the world that we live in, what would that be?

Jay: For everyone to get along and to co-exist happily. Our world today is far from being that!