True and Fascinating Canadian History
The Moon, Mussalem's
and Muscle Cars
by J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
The sun emits warmth. The moon does also but its warmth is mostly in the hearts of people when they fall in love. Believe me, I know. The moon made me think of another very special woman in my life whom I met -- Dr. Helen Mussallem, CC, FNCN., someone whom I thought of as truly Canada's Nightingale Nurse.
Not many years ago, I had the honour to be in the presence of Dr. Helen Mussallem as a dinner guest. In her presence, one listened. And, our little encounter was an opportunity for me to learn about her life experiences which took her around the globe as she represented Canada with the World Health Organization. My golden and warm opportunity to dine with Dr. Mussallem came about this way.
But, whoa You're Grace, who in the RCMP would not recognize the name of one of Canada's most famous women? Dr. Helen Mussallem was as much of Canada as the Hudson's Bay Company. The question, 'Who is she?' is paramount to standing in midtown Manhattan, and asking a Red Cap, 'Where's Macy's?' Well, alright! Perhaps members might be forgiven for not knowing of Macy's and I suppose it's also fair if you had never been posted to 'E' Division's Lower Mainland (BC).
For several years, I have attended the Annual Ottawa St. John Ambulance Charity Dinner. My association with St. John went back to 1957 when I first joined Army Cadets in Grade School and I have always thought highly of St. John's work around the world. Other RCMP Officers were also present at the annual affairs such as my friend, Ottawa Vet O.1045, A. D. F. 'Al' Burchill. There were usually about 150 invited guests in attendance.
On one particular evening, I was seated across the table from Dr. Mussallem. When the time came for the guests to be seated, I held Dr. Mussallem's chair and while doing so I glanced at her name card on the dining table. Her name immediately stuck me (from 'ole Haney, BC days) and I decided to play along as if I had not recognized her identity. As it turned out, my playful conversation with Dr. Mussallem caused her to laugh and laugh during dinner and we became friends -- close and thick as a Saint John fog.
Dr. Mussallem was born in Prince Rupert, BC. Later, she moved to BC's Lower Mainland and studied at the Vancouver General Hospital to become a nurse. Her father, Soloman Mussallem, moved to Haney, BC where he opened a garage and car dealership. After studies, Helen volunteered and served as a nurse during WWII. She earned a PhD at Columbia University in New York and for years she worked for the World Health Organization and travelled the world on their behalf.
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Dr. Mussallem was awarded the Order of Canada and her life accomplishments and volunteer work made her one of Canada's endearing names. She was a Dame of the Grace of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Presently, Haney is known as Maple Ridge BC -- it's across the Fraser River from Langley, BC. Haney was a small village when I was posted there for three years between 1967 and 1970.
On this evening, Dr. Mussallem and I shared an enjoyable conversation to and fro. At her age, (which I would not dare mention here) she was easily able to recall advances in medicine such as insulin for diabetes and she could well compare one generation of nurse's work to another. All the while, I wanted to find an appropriate time to introduce a few bits of information which I knew about her family name. Dessert and coffee arrived.
'Well', I said, 'Dr. Mussallem, I know something about your background and I can tell you a little story about your family name'. 'And, to be honest, I have a memorable connection to your father.' 'No', she said politely, 'it's not possible because we have just met.' 'Alright, does Haney BC mean anything to you', I asked? 'Well, good for you!' Then she began to laugh and laugh. She said 'you have got my attention, please, tell me your story about Haney.' 'OK', I said, 'but my little story has a wee twist -- it will include a quiz component. Are you game for the test question also'? 'Yes', she said, 'begin'.
And so I began. 'After a year on Harley's at Pattulla Bridge Detachment, I was transferred in 1967 to Chilliwack Sub/Division and Haney, BC. Upon my arrival, I was interviewed for about three to five minutes by the NCO IC, Staff Sergeant Roland Harding. Then, suddenly, he pointed at me and said, I have just found the right man for a new job! Healy, you're Haney's first Traffic Man.'
'You see', Dr. Mussallem, 'faster than a Haney flash, I was transformed and promoted by an RCMP Staff Sergeant from a simple Police Motorcyclist to a fully intact Traffic Man. One moment, I was an incomplete Constable, then the next I was apparently fully complete', I said.
'Yes, I can see how it happened', she said, 'but what is the quiz'? 'Wait, wait, you have to wait', I said, 'I have to set the stage so that you fully understand the situation in Haney. Surely, you don't want to fail the quiz'? 'No', she said, politely. 'but I never failed exams when I was a nurse. I'm quite sure I can handle your quiz.' 'Oh, we'll see', I responded. 'But, this quiz question will be phrased more difficult than you expect'. 'The pie is delicious, isn't it?'.
'So, after I was notified that I was to be Haney's new Traffic Man, I gave alot of thought to how I would perform my highway duties. You see, my good Doctor, a police car had not been assigned to me. Did the Staff Sergeant want me to walk? In effect, I could arrive at the office and there would be no car for me'.
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'But, I should not have worried. Staff Sergeant Harding said that a very, very special car would be assigned to just me. And, hereis useful information for you to consider as part of the quizz. The Staff Sergeant said that the Traffic Car given to me would have white doors'. 'It's true', I said. 'I have a memo which said that I would be entitled to drive a police car which had its front doors painted white.'
'Now', Doctor Mussallem, 'here is the quizz'. 'Tell me, why his emphasis on the white doors for the police car?' 'That's the big question.' 'What say you'?, I gently prodded.
'Well', Joe, 'I have never heard anything quite like this before'. 'It's almost bizarre'. 'I can't imagine'. 'I have seen some police carswith white doors but they ... but I never paid much attention'. 'Really'. 'Surely, you also didn't know what the Staff Sergeant meant, did you?' 'Actually, yes', I replied.
'You see, Dr. Mussallem, I had been given the answer to the riddle from other members at Haney Detachment. Natually, the other guys were General Duty guys whereas I had been assigned to Traffic Enforcement. In the minds of some police officers, the two roles were not quite the same. As an aside, I had been told by some General Duty guys that a Traffic Man was highly specialized. He would drive by a bank robbery in progress rather than investigate and wouldn't think twice unless there was a minor fender bender in the bank parking lot'. 'Dr. Mussallem, you must stop laughing, I'm trying to be serious'. 'Are you sympathic to General Duty guys'? 'Focus', Dr. Mussallem, 'think carefully about the quiz'. 'Think white doors'. 'Ok, give up'?
'OK, this is what I was told. See, I'm just repeating what I was told. The reason for traffic guys to have white doors is because it helps them identify the doors which they are supposed to open to get in. Dr. Mussallem, don't spill your coffee. But, it is funny, isn't it?'
'And, Dr. Mussallem, here's the rest of the story. The Traffic car which was assigned to me had been purchased at your father's garage, Mussellem Motors in downtown Haney. See, that how I knew all about you. The best police car which I ever drove was from Mussallem Motors. And it had white doors! End of my story'.
Dr. Mussallem, you've been laughing all the while. You haven't touched your pie'.
Dr. Mussallem passed away on November 9, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario. Canada misses her and I do too.
This was Memories down Police Lane.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. (Buffalo Joe) Healy
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