Meet wish recipient Michael, 80 years young who was born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Michael’s father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all very involved with Sable Island during their careers with the Coast Guard. They worked for the department of transport where most of his family were sea captains. Primarily they would deliver supplies to those living on the island, unloading the boats on the sand, those on the island would take possession, and then they would head back to the mainland. Michael shared with us that they also on occasion transported small ponies, and there’s a family tale that one once got loose!!

When Michael was 10 he experienced motion sickness the first time he went on a boat. Thus, he opted out of following in his family’s footsteps and worked on the Texico oil refinery for 32 years before its closing. Over the years, Michael heard tell many stories of Sable Island, only ever getting to look through the photos that have been passed down by generations, and reading books that he has collected over the years. It has remained his steadfast dream of his to visit the island and witness its operations, see the lighthouses, the horses, and of course, take in the beauty of a place that carries so much family history.

Michael always been the person to help his family, friends & other members of the community. He continues to do everything for everyone, and never accepts anything for himself. Needless to say, it was an honour to see Michaels dream come true. He got to experience the trip of a lifetime, and enjoyed the same scenic walk as his family before him.

Photography –Acorn Photography