A tearful goodbye
Rankin man reflects on three decades of living in community
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
RANKIN INLET
Three decades have passed in the blink of an eye as long-time Rankin Inlet resident and Northern Store employee Terry Kent prepares to retire to the south this month.
Mike Hyde, left, will be taking over as the Northern store's new grocery manager when 30-year Northern resident Terry Kent retires in June of 2016. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
With the exception of about 18 months a little more than a decade ago, Kent and his wife, Delores, have lived in Rankin since arriving on Thanksgiving weekend in 1985.
Terry, 59, said, to him, the secret behind staying happy for the better part of 30 years in Rankin lies with the support of his family, the great people he worked with during that time and, most importantly, the people of Rankin themselves.
He said the decision to leave is based solely on the needs of his family.
"Basically, Delores and I need to spend more time with our family," said Terry.
"I've been feeling pretty melancholy about things as the date of our departure gets closer.
"The staff had a little send-off for us recently and that was tough.
"It's sinking in that we're leaving now, which makes it more difficult."
Terry and Delores raised two daughters, Joanne and Stephanie, as well as a son, Michael, in Rankin.
Terry said he didn't find it any more difficult raising kids in Rankin than anywhere else.
He said there were issues from time to time, especially during the teenage years, but no more than he would have expected living anywhere else, and he and Delores have great memories of raising their children in Rankin.
"Once we move to Ile-a-la-Crosse, Sask., and settle in, I'm really going to miss the people of Rankin.
"We all know people have issues with my employer from time to time, and I've had my share of people angry at me over the years, but you learn to grow with that and understand their frustration with things.
"You kind of grin and bear it and, after a while, you realize the people here are very patient, overall.
"We get a blizzard and, all of a sudden, there's no eggs or bread on the shelves, but so be it because that's life up here."
Terry said two people who made an impact on his life during his time in Rankin are Brian Manitok and Thoma Irkootee.
He said it's going to be strange having neither of them around anymore.
"Brian and I worked together almost since day one for me here and he's been like a brother to me, while Thoma has been like a son to me over the years.
"I had a great rapport with those two guys and I'm going to really miss them.
"I can't really name anyone else in particular but, all the different managers and staff I worked with over the years, I found all the people to be just fantastic here.
"So, yes, I am going to miss all that a great deal."
Terry said Rankin grew a lot during his three decades in the community.
He said the pace of everyday life grew to be a lot faster over the years, as well.
"I was very involved with sports when I first came here, playing hockey, softball, curling and darts.
"My wife did the same thing, getting out and running a moms-and-tots program among other things.
"We were always very active in the community and we loved going out on the land, especially when the weather was nice.
"Our family spent many, many cherished days out there fishing, playing ball, flying kites and just having a great old time."
Terry said another of his fondest memories of Rankin is the community's love for the game of hockey.
He said he's never lived in, nor could he imagine, a more hockey-crazed community than Rankin.
"I'm hockey crazy, too, and I've never seen the enthusiasm for the game of hockey like I have here.
"Rankin goes puck crazy from October to June.
"To say the atmosphere in the Rankin arena, especially during a tournament, is electric would be one huge understatement.
"Hockey was huge growing up in Newfoundland, but it's massive here, just massive."
