Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach Sunrise

I was born at home in England at Great Glen, Leicestershire. Educated in Leicester at Clark’s College, after leaving school I worked for my father who was a haberdasher of men’s clothing, until I was conscripted into the army in 1949 and became a gunner in the Royal Artillery, where most of my service was served in Malta, G.C. After completing my military service I joined my father again until 1965 when I emigrated to Canada, landing in Saskatoon on October 21. My first job was with The Bay where I worked as a sales clerk in the men’s department, but after 7 months I left and ventured out on my own opening my own store, selling men's clothing. The store was called “Kim’s of England” and it turned out to be a very successful business so I opened another store in Regina, Sask., in 1967. It was in Saskatoon that I was invited to join Rotary, becoming a member with the Rotary Club of Saskatoon North. After some 14 years I decided to try something different from being a haberdasher and returned to Europe, Spain, to a small island called Ibiza, where I opened a bar and fast food restaurant.
Again this turned out to be a very profitable business, but the hours were very long and after 4 years sold up and returned once again to Saskatoon, where I took the job with a property developer as a property manager, managing 2 apartment blocks of some 250 apartments. This was not my forte and I handed in my notice, for having worked for myself previously, I saw mistakes and got out pretty darned quick! So much for being a property manager! Some weeks later I heard that a small hotel was for sale in Ibiza, so once again a trek to check it over and after some haggling, bought it. My Rotary life continued in Ibiza, where I joined The Rotary Club of Ibiza. Jill and I managed and operated this hotel for 18 years before hanging our hats up in retirement here in beautiful B.C.!!! I could go into many stories and incidents whilst being in the tourist industry, but don’t want to bore you anymore! Finalizing, I have to say I could not have achieved success without Jill at my side, to guide me and shut me down when I was out of line! I should mention that we have 6 children and 11 grandchildren. Adios, Kim.