CORAL HARBOUR - Davidee Natakok remembers a time when the hamlet office in Coral Harbour didn't have a punch clock. He also remembers when it didn't have a regular work schedule. In fact, Natakok remembers working for the municipality before Coral was even considered a hamlet.

Davidee Natakok does some work around his cabin outside of Coral Harbour. Natakok retired on July 13 after working for the hamlet for 38 years. - photo courtesy of Jerry Panniuq

"He started before the hamlet first became a hamlet," said SAO Rob Hedley. "I think he was working here when it was still a settlement."

Natakok had worked as a hamlet employee for nearly 40 years when he retired on July 13.

He spent the first 15 years or so driving the town's garbage truck before becoming a sewage truck driver.

Mayor Jerry Panniuq said Natakok was a model employee.

"He was never lazy to come to work and he was never late," Panniuq said. "If someone didn't show up he was always there to chip in their schedule for the people who couldn't make it."

Hedley agreed.

"He's a very dedicated, excellent employee. I think he'll miss it," he said. "I think he's been late - he even said it himself - twice in his entire career. He probably wouldn't even retire now if it wasn't for his arthritis."

Panniuq said Natakok had been having some knee and back problems and mentioned retiring last year, but decided to stay one more year.

His retirement ceremony was held at Qagiviik Hall and Panniuq said Natakok's reaction was mixed.

"He had happy and mixed feelings," he said. "He seemed happy to be done working because he worked so long."

Natakok said he plans on relaxing and enjoying his free time now that he is retired.

"He's pretty much caught up with the stuff he wanted to do and now he's just relaxing and he's got nothing to do," Panniuq said after travelling to Natakok's cabin to ask him what he plans to do with his time now that he's finished at the hamlet.

"He's looking forward to not having to worry about going into town and go to work. He's just enjoying his time."