Gail Millington is the third of five children born in Montreal to Betty and Rodney Millington who met in Union United Sunday School. Her brother Rodney Jr. started working at Air Canada in 1976 and is a lead in charge of outgoing planes. Her sister Paula was one of thirteen children who drowned on July 13, 1954 at Oak Beach in Ile Bizzard. She was attending a day camp outing sponsored by the Negro Community Centre. Her brother Christopher is a professional singer, sister Wanda, who graduated with top honours, is a Funeral Director in Syracuse, New York. Gail Teresa (named after her grandmother- Mrs. Teresa Welch) received her elementary education at Queens School on Wood Ave. in West mount That school has since been demolished and an apartment building has been erected in its place. She graduated from North mount High School in Cote des Neiges in 1970.
In 1968 she started working as a cashier in Eaton's, moving on in 1971 to work as a waitress at the A & W Diner at the comer of Decarie and Queen Mary, then to the Miracle Mart on the West Island. At the Royal Bank of Canada she worked as a Teller, a Customer Service Representative, then an Intake Officer in charge of opening accounts and RRSP's. In the year 2000 she decided to change careers and applied for the position of Secretary at the Garvey Institute Primary School whose students range in age from three to twelve years. Gail considers this one of the best moves she has ever made.
Her paternal grandfather, Percy Millington, left Barbados by boat, in 1917 and landed in Nova Scotia. He was told by N.S. residents to come to Montreal where there was more action, and by doing so he met Vera Sportsman, his wife to be, here at Union Church. Vera Sportsman used to play the piano and was renowned as a jazz pianist. Gail's maternal grandmother - Mrs. Teresa Mitchell Welch- came from Nova Scotia. Her mother's father, Godfrey Thomas, was born in Oakville, Ontario. Mr. Thomas' family can be traced back to the Cherokee tribe from South Dakota, who are also known as the tribe of the Black Tiers.
From 1961 to 65 Gail was a volunteer with the St. John's Ambu lance Corps where she studied First Aid and Home Nursing under Inez Grant and the late Barbara Cooper. During the 60's was a member of the Youth Group here, under the leadership of Aubrey Taylor, Jr.
She planned and attended two United Church of Canada conferences called "The Sounding of the Bamboo" which takes place every second year and is attended by visible minorities such as,
Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Blacks from Montreal, and Africans who come from all across Canada, and is sponsored by Ethnic Ministries of the United Church of Canada. She has also attended the "Echoes of the Sounding of the Bamboo" which takes place every other year, and is a reflection of the "Sounding of the Bamboo" - a spiritual and soul searching conference.
From 1987 to 1996 Gail was a C.G.I.T. leader with Claudette Agard, under Dr. Hazel Bigby.
Gail joined the Gospel Choir in January 1990, because of her grandmother, Mrs. Teresa Welch's encouragement; she auditioned and was accepted. Kim Sherwood was the Director at that time. He was followed by Marcia Bailey, Carol Bernard, Anne Rowe, and Marcia Bailey again- the current Director, who is highly respected because of her spirituality, diplomacy and fairness. She strives for perfection and ensures that it is achieved. Gail is the Gospel Choir's Worship Leader, the Choir representative on the Gospel Choir Committee, and has recently been appointed the Secretary of the Gospel Choir Committee.
As a member of the Christian Education Committee she assists with their Breakfasts and Christmas parties.
Gail met her husband, Patrick Ian Grant, a native of Barbados, who came here for one year to study. They were married on September 16, 1972. He has been employed at Integrated Office Services where he repairs Photocopiers and Fax machines. They had four children: Christina, known as Tina, who is an Esthetitian, and is married to Ricky Parsons from Newfoundland. They are the parents of two daughters - DaVonne, age 10 and Alysha, age 7. Gail's son Ian works in Telemarketing and is part owner of a company that promotes Wrestling. Gail's son Brian was stillborn~ daughter June is taking a Nursing course at Dawson College.
Since the arrival of Gail's grandfather, Mr. Percy Millington in 1917, and his marriage to Vera Sportsman, all of their descendents have been married and their offspring christened here at Union Church.
Prior to Dr. Bigby's retirement Gail expressed a desire to become more involved with reading and studying the Bible, which she does daily. Since Rev. Gray's arrival she has taken a more active part through reading scripture lessons during the Services. Her ultimate goal is to become a lay minister and to work in that capacity in the Children's Hospital and in Senior Citizens' homes. Whenever Gail comes to Church she feels that she has come home. Her association with the Gospel Choir has brought her through so many crises. The Church has meant a lot. Gail and her husband Patrick reside in Pierrefonds.
Comentários