Nearly 70 years of experience honoured at CNR retirement party

By Ken Johnston
Editor

About 100 people gathered to honour two men Saturday at the annual Canadian National Railway retirement party in Rainy River.
Ken Kreger and Dorion Ozykowski were the guests of honour for the evening of food, speeches and fun!
After a hearty roast beef dinner, Master of Ceremonies Ralph Armstrong introduced the head table and then presentations began.
Armstrong gave a brief history of each of the men’s careers.
Ken Kreger
Hired on May 1974 as a Trainman. He was promoted to Locomotive Engineer in 1989. He worked his entire career in Rainy River and Fort Frances. He retired with 35 years and three months service on Aug. 1, 2009.
Dorion Ozykowski
Hired on Oct. 10, 1965 as a Truck Driver. Then he went to Operating for two years then quit. He then hired on as a Brakeman and was promoted to Conductor in 1980. He worked in Neepawa, MB, Morris, MB, The Pas, MB, Winnipeg, MB, Kakabeka Falls, ON, Rainy River, ON, Geraldton, ON, Sioux Lookout, ON, Beardmore, ON, Jelico, ON and the International Boundary at Fort Frances.
His career ended March of 2009 with 34.5 years of service. “I would be still working if I could. I come from a family that worked hard. My mom was 81 and still serving burgers,” said Ozykowski. He explained that CN put a target on his back for two years and eventually forced him out of service.
As many of the speakers attested to, Ozykowski was never one to mince words. He protested company actions and eventually the company forced him out. With that aside the speakers all said it was always interesting to work with him. “It was never boring,” said Armstrong.
Coworker Jim Hall told a story about and inspector from Transport Canada riding along with them to make sure they were doing their jobs right. “Dorion can make friends with just about anyone,” said Hall. Hall was nervous about the ride along, but once they left Winnipeg Dorion and the inspector started talking and became the best of friends. Two weeks later Hall was called to a meeting with a train master who wanted to talk about the inspector’s trip. “I was nervous and wondered what he was going to say. Then he said, ‘I don’t know what you two did but she thinks you two are the best railroaders in Canada.”
Armstrong also spoke highly of Kreger. “He did a great amount of work with the union. He was soft spoken and calm. Often he would be the voice of reason at the table when I blew my gasket,” said Armstrong.
All of the speakers also said it was pleasure working with Kreger.
Both received congratulations from union representatives, gifts from the retirement committee, congratulations from MPP Howard Hampton and MP John Rafferty and as with years gone by, a specially hand made scroll saw picture by Rick Peterson of a steam engine.
A dance followed after the presentations with live music.