Mr. and Mrs. Hamel and 12 of their 14 children.

Octave Hamel, a 42-year veteran radio operator, retired from Montreal Region in December 1965.

 

The father of 14 children ranging in age from 29 to 9, Mr. Hamel's interest in radio began while he was a boy. He obtained his first class certificate at the age of 23 and immediately applied for and obtained a position as a ship's wireless officer. He spent the following 13 years at sea.

 

During these years his job took him to England, Germany, France, Belgium, Australia and many tropical ports-of-call. As an employee of the Canadian Marconi Company, he was transferred to a shore posting after his marriage.

 

Mr. Hamel's first land post was at Grindstone, the Magdalen Islands. The family spent 12 years there and then moved to Father Point. In 1957 Mr. Hamel became a D.O.T. employee and served at Quebec City until his recent retirement.

 

Most people would be content to sit back and take things easy after 42 years of work, but not so Octave Hamel. He is beginning a new chapter of his life by taking on the duties of doorman at Quebec City's Garrison Club.