WW II vet, Bill Parfitt, 99, gets standing ovation at West Ferris Legion brisket dinner fundraiser

There was an enthusiastic and prolonged standing ovation in a packed West Ferris Legion Br. 599 hall Saturday evening after Bill Parfitt, a 99-year-old Second World War veteran, was introduced before a ‘Raise the Roof’ fundraising dinner and dance.
The event raised just over $4,000, bolstered by additional contributions on Sunday, pushing the Legion over the $20,000 mark and past the midpoint of the $40,000 campaign goal.
More than 100 people in attendance were told Parfitt, the patriarch of a long-time farming family in the Widdifield portion of North Bay, flew 24 missions as a tail gunner in Lancaster bombers over Europe. Parfitt said one of the last flights was for a food-aid drop over Holland after the Allies defeated Nazi Germany.
His presence highlighted the importance of the event, beyond the need to replace the shingles on the 30 Legion Drive building – which originally served as the elementary school in Nipissing Junction for six decades. The smoked brisket dinner, dance and silent auction brought the community together in many ways, part of the Legion’s mission, with a vast network of businesses and families each doing their part in three short weeks to make it a success.
Major sponsors included the N7 Cattle Co. of North Bay, Pellets by Murlyn of Cache Bay, Parfitt Farms, Hamelin’s Outdoor Power Equipment, Eagle Tree and Landscaping Services, Rug-A-Roo Flooring of Callander, Jeff and Tanis No Frills, Laporte’s Nursery and Greenhouses and Back in the Bay Magazine.
Local entertainers also chipped in by providing live music. Robin and Liliane Danielson, Josh Dimmell and Gary Davison each played for an hour or more. The Broome Turners also volunteered to play but their finale set was scheduled too late in the evening for the crowd and volunteers on hand, organizers determined.
Another highlight near the end of the evening was the waltz for Dave and Wilma Gallant, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
See more of the story at www.smalltowntimes.ca or check out the Fall Edition of Back in the Bay Magazine.