Some retirees feel like they have too much time on their hands, but that couldn’t be further from the truth for John L. Haley.
The 98-year-old Antigonish, N.S. resident retired at the age of 66 and, 32 years later, he says he’s happy to have plenty of time for his favourite hobby – making clocks.
“Whenever I feel I want to make another one, there’s no set time,” he says. “I just do it whenever I feel like it or want to make one.”
The retired maintenance supervisor figures he has made about 150 clocks since retiring.
“Well, I had never made a clock, and I’ve seen clocks. I thought maybe it would be something different, so that’s when I started with clocks,” says Haley. “When I get out here working, I just forget any problems I might have.”
For the last 25 years, Haley has given one of his handmade clocks to the Antigonish Guysborough Early Childhood Intervention Program – an organization that helps young children with special needs. Haley’s clocks are sold each year at the program’s annual fundraiser.
“The organization is really appreciative of the donations that Mr. Haley gives every year with his handmade clocks,” says Brenda MacInnis, the program’s executive director.
“We sell tickets on them every year and the ticket sales are always very popular. They go really well.”
Haley says he donates his clocks to the organization because it holds a special place in his heart.
“My nephew Daniel is just 25 years old and when he was born, Daniel has Down syndrome, and the Early Childhood Intervention Program came to my brother and his wife and they provided tremendous programming,” says Haley.
The program is holding its 23rd annual ham and bean dinner and auction at St. Ninian Place this Friday.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
