100-year-old hospice resident gets to see new bridge up close
A hospice resident had his wish fulfilled of getting to see the new Gordie Howe International Bridge up close.
Susan Ottrin’s 100-year-old father Floyd is a former transport driver with a keen interest in the bridge construction.
“When dad entered hospice, we were approached by the hospice team, two ladies who asked us if dad had any particular interests.” Ottrin explained during an interview on the AM800’s Morning Drive. “We do know that dad was very interested in the Gordie Howe bridge.”
The Hospice of Windsor-Essex County sprung into action, reaching out to bridge officials to make the wish come true.
“It was a team effort and we were grateful to the bridge and Manny for having done this. They were thrilled with the red carpet welcome that we got,” said hospice supportive and spiritual care co-ordinator Maria Giannotti.
The trip was facilitated by bridge representative WDBA manager of communications Manny Paiva.
“We were happy to partner with Hospice of Windsor and Essex County to help fulfill Floyd’s wish with his daughter to see the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The smiles they shared when attending the site and seeing the structure up close and personal made our efforts worthwhile,” said Paiva.
According to Ottrin, her father has been following the bridge project progress since the beginning.
“I was able to take him out to the bridge a few times when he was able to but he never did see the bridge in its completion when the two sides were joined together,” said Ottrin.
Ottrin said the ‘once in a lifetime experience’ come true on Sept. 13.
“He is somewhat non-verbal at the moment, so there was a lot of head nodding but the story was told through his eyes. You could tell in his eyes that he was fascinated,” Ottrin said.
Ottrin said she appreciates the opportunity the bridge officials and the Hospice of Windsor-Essex County afforded her father.
“This was just going a step beyond. I’m glad he had a chance to do that,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Federal government to further limit number of international students
The federal government will be further limiting the number of international students permitted to enter Canada next year. It's the government's latest immigration-related measure to address Canadians' ongoing housing and affordability concerns.
Search for suspect in Kentucky highway shooting ends with discovery of body believed to be his
Authorities say they believe the body of a man suspected of shooting and wounding five people on a Kentucky interstate highway has been found.
Here's why you should get all your vaccines as soon as possible
With all these shots, some Canadians may have questions about the benefit of each vaccine, whether they should get every shot and how often to get them, and if it's safe to get them all at once or if they should space them out.
Bloc MPs will vote confidence in Liberal government next week: Blanchet
The Conservatives' first shot at toppling the Liberal government is likely doomed to fail, after Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters his MPs will vote confidence in the government.
'I'm here for the Porsche': Video shows brazen car theft in Mississauga
Video of a brazen daylight auto theft which shows a suspect running over a victim in a stolen luxury SUV has been released by police west of Toronto.
Exploding electronic devices kill 20, wound 450 in second day of explosions in Lebanon
Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that at least 20 people were killed and 450 others wounded by exploding electronic devices in multiple regions of the country. The explosions came a day after an apparent Israeli attack targeting pagers used by Hezbollah killed at least 12 and wounded nearly 3,000.
'It starts off innocent': Manitoba man loses $185,000 to crypto-romance scam
A Manitoba man is warning others after he fell victim to an elaborate online scam over the summer.
Teen faces new charge in Sask. high school arson attack
A 14-year-old student who allegedly set her classmate on fire is facing a new charge.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.