Nonagenarian’s wish to visit old homestead comes true

by Gillian Brunette

Jun 27, 2007

John Reuben Fuller is a resident at Muskoka Landing, a place he has called home for the past year.

A Fegan Homes boy, Fuller left a miserable childhood for a new life in Canada on April 24, 1930, a journey that would eventually bring him much happiness.

Recently, the Forester documented Fuller’s life and his nomination for a provincial 2007 Senior Achievement Award recognizing and honouring outstanding seniors who, after age 65, have made significant contributions to their communities. The nomination was put forward by Pamm Griffin, Muskoka Landing’s occupational co-ordinator.

Fuller’s tale concluded with a wish that he said would make his life complete.
“I’d like to go to my old camp one more time and go fishing.”

The camp to which he was referring was a tourist camp called Manor Park Cottages on Lake Cecebe in Magnetawan. Fuller and his wife Eva McKinnon, a Saskatchewan native, had purchased the property in 1950, operating it until it was sold in 1975. The couple then bought a home on the same lake.

Eva Fuller had a stroke in 1990 and her husband cared for her until her death 12 years later. They had no children and Fuller lived alone, still cutting his own wood, gardening and fishing until a fall brought him to Muskoka Landing in October last year.

Fuller is well liked and respected at Muskoka Landing. His smiling, giving nature has done much to help make the other residents’ lives easier. It was fitting that his wish to visit his former home was granted, thanks to Griffin and the current owners of Manor Lake Cottages.

On June 11 Griffin took Fuller back to his old camp, picked up in grand style from Muskoka Landing in a Lincoln town car.

“Going back to his old camp, which John started building in 1949, brought back some great memories,” said Griffin.

“We were on the lake for two and a half hours and John took us to all of his favourite fishing spots. It was such a great day, to see the camp that John had built with his own hands.”

Still at the camp was a boat that Fuller had also built.

“The people who took possession of the camp had turned the boat into a play area for children. They had taken it out of the water and set it up on land. It looked amazing,” said Griffin.

She added: “John had a wonderful day. He relived so many happy years, sharing memories of the campfires and the water fights he had watched.”

Four generations of families have since spent many happy summers at Fuller’s Magnetawan camp. Some of them still keep in touch.

“When John turned 95 (Feb. 4) the people from the camp came here and gave him a fish fry to celebrate. It just goes to show what an amazing person he is. He is always positive, a giver. The place always lights up when he’s around,” Griffin concluded.