1967 - D.O.T. career that spanned the past 39 years has entered a new phase,
according to F. W. (Fred) Sealey, who retired recently as officer-in-charge of
the Victoria aeradio station.
"Retirement has always seemed to me to be the end of things," Mr. Sealey
wrote in a letter to "The DOT" in which he said he wanted to express his thanks
for the wonderful farewell party given by his fellow employees.
"Instead, I suddenly realized that retirement was another phase of a D.O.T.
career and, rather than something to be feared, was something to be looked
forward to," he said. "Looking around and talking to fellows who were there,
many who were happily retired and active, gave me the inspiration to emulate
them." He added : "This going away is something experienced, never to be forgotten,
as long as I live. Thanks, fellows."
Born in England, Mr. Sealey discovered his calling in 1918 while his family
was en route to a new home in Victoria. "While on the boat from Vancouver, I happened to be outside the `wireless'
cabin when the operator started up the old spark transmitter and the crash of
the spark could be heard all around the deck," recalled Mr. Sealey. "I decided
right there and then that the `wireless' was for me."
With a daytime job and classes at night, he quickly obtained his certificate
and went to sea with the Canadian Marconi Company.
In 1928, he was inducted into what is now D.O.T. telecommunications and
assigned as radio operator aboard the famed Royal Canadian Mounted Police
vessel St. Roch on her maiden voyage to the Arctic.
(see link below) When the ship returned home 17 months later, Mr. Sealey was re-assigned to
Coppermine where he later served as OIC from 1931-32.
Following postings in Victoria and Lulu Island, B.C., Mr. Sealey returned to
technical duty in connection with airways installations across B.C. during the
Second World War and remained in this field until he retired as OIC at Victoria
last May 17 and was formally inducted as the newest member of a large group of
retired D.O.T. employees living on the West Coast.
Among the retired D.O.T. staff at Mr. Sealey's farewell party were Jack
Bowerman, Jim Harker, Bill Meiss, Don Mitchell, L. W. Stevenson, George
Gilbert, George Lowe and O. H. "Doc" Quealy.
In summing up his career, Mr Sealey says: "Where else could the
technicallyminded person find such a career except in the Department of
Transport? And, mind you, I am not any exception. The chances are there still."
