Item
Albert McQuoid, Blind Mechanic and Piano Tuner
St. Croix Courier
June 24/1937
Albert McQuoid of Grade V at School in Halifax received a Character Prize at the closing exercises last [line missing] departments and best year’s work in English.
Shiretown Items
Wins School Honors—Albert McQuoid . . . walked off with the honors in his grade at the School for the Blind in Halifax, taking prizes in the literary department and in English, both based on the year’s work. Albert also won a character prize, given to the pupils exerting the greatest influence for good in the home life of the school. Albert is a capable musician for his age aside from the handicap of blindness and is a real live wire in every way. His many friends are very pleased that he has done so well in school.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 7/1947
Old Home Month celebrated in SA, with 2 songs by Dr. Worrell: “Going Home,” set to music by Mrs. W. Woods formerly of St. Andrews now in Vancouver; and “There’s a Welcome” to the tune of Beer Barrel Polka. “Piano selections were played by Albert McQuoid in his accomplished manner.”
St. Croix Courier
March 24/1949
More highlights of Barbara Ann Scott’s visit. Photos. In one holds arm of Albert McQuoid, “St. Andrews’ Talented Pianist.”
Aug 18/1949
Shiretown Items
Man Behind the Show. Ian Macmillan’s “A Guardsman’s Duty” at Andraeleo Hall Aug 22 and 23.
Following is the list, to date, of those who have graciously consented to act as patrons of the operetta “A Guardsman’s Duty,” to be presented in Andraeleo Hall on August 22 and 23, in aid of the district Nurse Fund and Miss Marilyn Noells: His Honour the Lieutenant governor and Mrs. McLaren; His Worship the mayor and Mrs. Hachey; Sir Montague and Lady Allan; Mrs. H. D. Burns; Sir James and Lady Dunn; Lady Davis; Edward McKay; Mrs. Frank Hall; Miss Olive Hosmer; Dr. Gavin and Mrs. Miller; Mr. Guy Murchie; Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pillow; Mr. Rene and the Hon. Mrs. Redmond; Miss Mona Prentice; The Hon. Marguerite Shaughnessy; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Struthers; Mr. and Mrs. Jules Timmons; Mrs. F. W. Thompson; Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Thorp; Mrs. Norman and Senator Cairine Wilson.
I had the privilege last Sunday evening of attending a rehearsal for the coming operetta “A Guardsman’s Duty,” and of meeting Ian Macmillan, the young composer and producer. What impressed me most was the beauty, brilliancy and high musical quality of the compositions. They appeared to me to be worthy of professional performers. The group of 60 amateur singers selected from the Algonquin hotel staff are doing a fine job, however, under the direction of Mr. Macmillan. It is surprising at first to see so young a director exercise such perfect control over the large chorus. The reason becomes plain, however, as the leader gradually, by some psychological means of transference of thought, makes you feel just what he feels and makes you strive to produce the exact effect which he wants. One of the must interesting features of the rehearsal was the recording of the rousing number which is to be used as the grand finale. Albert McQuoid did the recording and played it back so the singers might hear their own voices. By use of this record the director can point out any flaws and have them eliminated before the public performance. I didn’t see any of the dance numbers but have been told that they are excellent. The Algonquin orchestra is to provide the instrumental accompaniment for the operetta. The show is for a worthy cause, will be unique in many aspects and should draw a packed house on both nights--Aug 22 and 23.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 31/1963
Lady Beaverbrook opens Trade School. Has established an educational and recreational honor fund of 5,000.00 annually. Robichaud attends, Mayor E. R. Ross. Invocation by Jonesy. “Mr. Albert McQuoid rendered a number of musical selections on the grand piano, a gift of Lady Beaverbrook.” Of Lord Beaverbrook said his ex-wife: “He has endless patience in helping the young.” (I don’t suppose she figured herself among the number!) Ceremonies attended by rain, gale force winds, and power blackout.
Courier
Oct 25/1973
Historic Photos shown in St. Andrews. (MacKay) Argyle and Kennedy’s “first summer hotels in Canada.”
Made Order of Canada Member
Albert McQuoid of St. Andrews was made a “Member of the Order of Canada” at Government House on October 24th. He was accompanied to Ottawa and the investiture by his mother, Mrs. Henry O. McQuoid, and by his uncle, Vincent McQuoid and Mrs. McQuoid of Phillips,, Maine
Photo shows McQuoid with ham radio
The first communication received re this honour was a letter dated June 19th, 1973, which read in part –“I have been instructed by His Excellency,, the Right Honourable Roland Michener, Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order of Canada, to inform you of your appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada, which entitles you to use the initials C./ M. after your name. The official announcement is being published in the Canada Gazette on Saturday, 23rd June 1973.
A second letter dated August 17 stated: “I have been asked by the Governor General and Chancellor of the order of Canada to invite you to an investiture of the Order to be held at Government House on Wednesday, October, 24th. 1973, at 6 pm. The ceremony will be followed by a reception and dinner and expenses will be paid for yourself and one guest.”
Harold Albert McQuoid, 50, is an outstanding citizen of St. Andrews. he is the second son of Mrs. Annie McQuoid, and the late Henry O. McQuoid of St. Andrews and has been a life-long resident of the town. he is considered handicapped after having been born blind, and is a graduate of the School for the Blind in Halifax. but if Albert is handicapped, someone forgot to tell him or else he just wouldn’t believe it.
He worked for years in the family garage business, William J. McQuoid and Sons, started by his grandfather and carried on by his father and uncle. He was always known as a whiz for taking balking carburetors apart and putting them back all together again in good working order and could repair just about any part of the engine. he washed cars and upon occasion he tended the gas pumps although this job he did not like.
Music was and still is a great pastime with him and developed into a paying proposition as well. he had just about every kind of accordion you want to mention right up to a big piano keyed model and he could make the piano itself ring. In the 1950s he travelled to Saint John alone by SMT bus and had a program on Radio CFBC and also recorded with Bill Randall. he has played for dances all around the area, for weddings as far away as Nova Scotia, for funerals and in nearly every denomination of church in town. He is supply organist fro the Greenock Presbyterian Church when they are without an organist—which is most of the time. he ha splayed in the United Baptist Church, the Wesley United Church and for Christmas night services in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Andrews here.
He has been a member of the local Kiwanis Club since about 1946 and plays at club meetings for the sing-songs and for the Kiwanis-sponsored “Open Air Church Services” at Indian Point in the summer time. During the past summer he played regularly at the Algonquin Hotel here. he is also a trainee piano tuner and the only one now in the County.
Speaking of playing for dances he told an amusing story of starting for McAdam in the spring years ago to play at a dance. “Old No. 41 was pretty well broken up with the frost—that’s No. 765 now—and we couldn’t go that way so we ended up going up through Maine to Vanceboro and across to McAdam that way. Didn’t get there until 11 o’clock and it was after 5 am by the time we got home again.” He also mentioned playing for Barbara Ann Scott for her second appearance of the St. Andrews Arena here. “We had a 20-piece orchestra of boys from Washington County in Maine and Charlotte County and the music she handed us was all manuscript. We sure had misgiving for a while but tried it out at the matinee and took it from there.”
Some years ago Albert bought his own Hammond organ which is moveable. “Don’t call it portable,” said he. “Takes about four men to set it on a truck right.” Albert and organ are presently at all kinds of events.
VEIER, his Amateur Radio “ham” call is known in a great many places. but try to get Albert to talk about all the contacts he has made and he clams up and says, “Aw, I just like rag-chewing with the boys of the local gang.” But he did admit that he had talked with New Zealand and that yes he had contacted Frobisher Bay and some in Greenland. He passed the required tests and Morse code at ten words a minute and got his Amateur License Aug 1, 1939., and before he really got on the air all the ham operators had to shut down for the war years so he really got on in 1946 and hasn’t stopped since. In the beginning most of the equipment was made by Albert with a little help from other “hams”. Today he has commercially made equipment and a tall tower in the backyard. he thoroughly enjoys attending an Amateur Radio Convention and talking with all the “Hams” and besides attending the Maritime convention when there is one, he hops off to Rockland, Maine, Rochester, New York, or other USA points with a car full of other hams. he has a small building in the yard which he calls “the Shack” and it is jam-packed with all kinds of equipment.
Like we said, Albert is not handicapped. He enjoys a full and rewarding life as a citizen of this community and everyone is used to seeing Albert walk down street by himself without even a cane, stopping at corners and arriving at his destination. Say “Hi, Al!” and if he knows you at all he’ll come right back with your name. St. Andrews is happily proud and pleased to have him recognized.
St. Croix Courier
April 1/1987
McGaw’s Roast Was More like a Tribute Paid by His Best Friends. (At Algonquin . Hatfield there; Albert McQuoid entertains on electric organ. Archdeacon Jones there. Photo of the three)
Hatfield: “Leland was the person who really made tourism a winter industry in NB.” McGaw attacked over plans for ski-hill this winter.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 12/1988
*”Neighbours” section features photo of Albert McQuoid at piano. Short piece on him. Now 65 years old.
St. Croix Courier
March 29/1989
“Albert” fund is nearing half-way mark. (Drive to buy $15,000 computerized “personalized reader” for Albert McQuoid, “one of the area’s outstanding citizens.”)
St. Croix Courier
March 24/1992
Our town’s well known Kilisli twins are getting big—Turkan and Habib look after them well. Ali has had to spend a few days in the hospital with a severe case of bronchitis, but is now recuperating at home. Selma was not touched by the bronchitis bug and is well. Annabel Williamson, Around St. Andrews.
Albert McQuoid (photo) playing piano to Mac MacLean’s fiddle and Mike Butler’s guitar at CC Jam concert.
St. Croix Courier
July 7/1998
SA pays tribute to Albert McQuoid. A-2.
They raised the rafters at Greenock Church Sunday during an evening of music dedicated to one of the town’s best loved citizens. The church was filled with people who had travelled from as far away as Fredericton to pay tribute to Albert McQuoid who among his many attributes was organist at Greenock for more than 20 years. As he welcomed visitors to the informal service, James Stewart said they were there to express their appreciation, their thanks and, above all, their love to McQuoid.
Among those in the congregation was Presbyterian minister Dr. Bill Randall who in the 1950s shared a radio program on CFBC with McQuoid called Shower of Blessings. On Sunday evening he joined his former partner once again and led the congregation in a rousing rendition of the program’s theme song. Music, which has been such a large part of McQuoid’s life, dominate the service. Both Rev. Dr. Steven Cho and Archdeacon HJ. F. N. Jones led the singing of several hymns urging everyone to sing their hearts out. Archdeacon Jones even threatened to make anyone who failed to join in sing a solo up front.
There were tributes to McQuoid from the clergy of other parishes thanking him for the many times he had tuned their pianos or helped them out with their music. Willa Walker gave a special tribute to the man she described as one of the town’s best known citizens.
McQuoid was born in St. Andrews in 1923, the son of Henry and Annie McQuoid, and Walker said she first met him when he was only two weeks old. His eyesight was very poor when he was born and he soon became totally blind, she said. Henry McQuoid had the foresight to send his son to the Halifax School for the Blind where he remained from 1932 until 1940. Here he learned Braille, took music lessons and learned how to tune pianos—a skill which has made him well known throughout the county.
McQuoid was and still is extremely musical, said Walker, playing the piano, organ and accordion and giving a great deal of pleasure to many people. During the Second World War he was part of the orchestra at the RCAF Station at Pennfield.
However music and piano tuning were not his only accomplishments. He became one of the earliest and best known ham radio operators talking to operators far and wide. He also taught himself about radio, building most of his own gear and there are two radio transmission towers beside his house. For many years McQuoid broadcast carols during the Christmas season and they could be heard all around the town, said Walker. When there were special events he would tour the town in a friend’s car broadcasting the news.
At one time McQuoid and his friend bobby Anning had a small business on Queen Street mending lawn mowers and outboard motors. Anning had multiple sclerosis and was crippled but with his eyesight and McQuoid’s knowledge of mechanics learned at his father’s garage they managed very well. Everyone was thrilled, said (rest missing—see A2)