True and Fascinating Canadian History
Tales from Fort Healy
A Prayer to Corporal & Mrs J. H. Arthur Gahagan.
by J. J. Healy
Reg.#10111, Corporal J. H. Arthur 'Art' Gahagan was my wife Cathy's grandfather. He was born in 1900 in Quinville, QC.
Arthur Gahagan joined the RCMP in 1925. After Basic Recruit Training, his entire Troop was sent to Ottawa, ON and Corporal Gahagan spent his police career on federal duties in the Ottawa area.
His work was varied and a lot depended on which events had been approved for the day. His duties included; the protection of federal property, Guard duties, escorting dignitaries on their visit to Ottawa and traffic control at parades on or near Parliament Hill. Corporal Gahagan was also a qualified motorcyclist.
After a twenty five year career with the Force, Corporal Gahagan retired. Along with some of his friends, he joined the Ottawa Corps of Commissionaires for another career related to the protection of property.
Corporal Gahagan and his wife had four children all of whom went on to further studies. Their only son, Rev. Gerald Ganagan could recall vivid memories for me about his father especially leaving home for work in the morning in his RCMP garb. Father Gahagan recalled a humorous incident which happened at their at home in downtown Ottawa.
It just so happened that in the good spring and summer weather, Father Gahagan's mother and father would sit on their front veranda on McLaren St. in Ottawa. Very often, a needy man or woman would pass their home. More often than not the person in need would ask for something to drink or maybe a sandwich.
Over time, Mrs Gahagan had become accustomed to these requests for food and drink so each day she prepared a few snacks so that she would be ready to sit with her husband (Corporal Gahagan) on their veranda after he returned home from his police duties.
Sometimes, Corporal Gahagan would come home from work a few minutes late and this habit caused Mrs Gahagan anxiety. The reason?
Corporal Gahagan wore his RCMP uniform to and from work. Mrs Gahagan was afraid that her needy 'visitors' would be frightened by the presence of her husband in RCMP uniform. So, when he arrived home, he was whisked immediately into their bedroom to change out of his official uniform and don 'normal' clothes. In this fashion, Mrs Gahagan could relax and leisurely talk with the needy while passing out much appreciated food.
Corporal Gahagan's retirement date from the Corps of Commissionaires was May 7th, 1973. On that day, after his usual shift, he suffered a heart attack on the street while walking home. He died on his retirement date.
His death might act as a mild reminder to all police officers that no one except God knows the hour of death's visit.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
August 2000
his mother and his father, Reg.#10111, Corporal & Mrs Art Gahagan.
at Notre Dame
Cemetery, Ottawa, ON. RIP
