Orville Richmond(5) Towns

  Noted events in his life were:

• Notes for Orville RICHMOND TOWNS. Orville attended school at Enterprise, then farmed with his father and brothers, later buying land of his own which was the old Ren Cockerill farm. He worked at Canada Packers in Winnipeg for two winters. In their younger years Orville, George and Frank took music lessons, which proved very important in later years.

In 1944 Orville married Doris Stacey of Clearwater, Manitoba. Doris and sisters Bessie (Mrs. Garnet Pritchard and later Mrs. Orville Towns)and Pearl (Mrs. Frank Towns) and brothers Edward (Brandon) and Gordon (Killarney) received their education at Sinkerville School, also used for Church, which the family attended. They lived a quiet country life, shared work duties and made the most of their own fun at home or with neighbors. Doris had taught herself to play the organ and piano and as time went on she helped play at school dances and parties. This led to many musical years ahead.

Orville and Doris started their married life on their farm, north of Enterprise. They had no water, hydro or telephone and only old machinery to work with. The home was scantily furnished, a Tomato couch used as a sofa, a 50 cent bed from an auction sale and a $10.00 mattress, etc. A few chickens and cows supplied eggs and milk and money earned from playing at dances ($3.00 a night) helped meet expenses. Orville was troubled with hay fever and could not continue farm work.

The farm was rented and Orville took a job with Anglo Canadian Oils in Killarney at $138.00 per month. Their home was a tiny house moved in from Lena to his mother's property on Killarney, Lake, now the area of Gibson's apartments. Anglo changed to Royalite and then to Gulf Oil. Orville had several chances to move but always declined because of his roots in the area, as well as his fondness for Killarney. In the early 1960's Doris and Orville operated the pavilion (Erin Park) at the lake for four summers and Doris worked at Browns Solo Store on and of for several years.

As well as playing for dances, they were both active in community work; Chamber Of Commerce, Kiwanis, Killarney Band, Church, Agriculture Society, Rebekahs and Hospital Auxiliary. Orville took up piano tuning as a hobby and purchased and operated the car wash from 1970 until 1979. In 1977 they folded up their dance band and Orville retired after 32 years. He retained his land as farming was still of great interest.

Two daughters Linda and Janice were born and more information can be found under their names.

Sadly, Doris passed away in 1988 and Orville was alone after a 44 year marriage.
He eventually remarried to Bessie Pritchard, a widow and sister to his past wife, Doris.

Orville kept busy in his retirement years with piano tuning, filling in at the occasional dance and entertaining at functions in the Killarney and surrounding area. He also kept busy on the golf course, but found time for trips with Bessie and other relatives on occasion to locations such as Arizona, Hawaii, Branson Missouri and so on.

Orville married Doris Alicia Stacey on 11 Dec 1944 in Erskine Manor, Killarney, Manitoba. (Doris Alicia Stacey died on 20 Dec 1988 and was buried on 23 Dec 1988 in Killarney United Church, Killarney , Manitoba.)

Orville next married Bessie Stacey in 1990 in Killarney United Church, Killarney , Manitoba.