End of an Era Wayne Braid
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Because of COVID, I watched the November 11th Remembrance Day program on TV that was broadcast from our Nation’s Capital. As I listened to the commentators and the guests speak to us and remember the past, Dr. Bernard Hoeter came to my mind. He was Secretary of The Dr. Hoeter Society of Notaries Public of BC from 1969 to 1986. During my visits with Dr. H, he would often encourage me about how important it was to honour our previous Notaries and their contributions from the past. He would talk about some of his Notary friends who had either retired or died. He talked about Roy Bishop; Alex Matthew; Gerry Dupuis, father of Notary Chris Dupuis; and many of The Society Presidents with whom Hoeter served. These past few months have seen us lose two more long-time members—men who were Notaries during the “Hoeter Era.”
Roy Bishop
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John would regale me with stories of Notary Conferences that he and his wife Betty attended in various parts of BC; in particular, he had great stories and memories of conferences at Harrison Hot Springs and always said the best Notary Conference ever was held in Dawson Creek.
n overused phrase this year is “because of COVID.”
Alex Matthew
TABLE OF CONTENTS
John Salvador (my father-in-law) became a Notary in the early 1960s, joining Larry Stevens Sr. in his practice in Coquitlam; within a few years, John moved his Notary practice to Sidney where he was also an insurance agent and had a real estate Larry Stevens office. As his Notary practice grew, John sold his insurance and real estate business and practised only as a Notary. He soon became the go-to Notary in Sidney, known for his wise advice, his reasonable fees, and his generosity. During the years I knew John, he would tell me stories of numerous celebrities and very wealthy people who would use his services, particularly those who had vacation or second homes on SaltSpring Island. As some of these individuals aged, John would become their advocate and legal advisor; he would take care of many of their needs. BC Notaries Association
Up until the time he had to move out of his home (at age 93!), in an album that contained photos of his family . . . he had a photo of Bernard and other Notaries posing at the Alaska Highway Mile Post sign in Dawson Creek. It always impressed me that his Notary colleagues were so important to him. In 1986, John retired after welcoming his daughter Laurie as a Notary to his practice, along with her business partner Susan Davis (Mercer). Even 25 years later, people would call into the office and ask for John! Laurie Salvador
In his retirement, John enjoyed golf and fishing the waters of Sidney Spit and the Gulf Islands in his boat; he volunteered and was involved in Rotary and Susan Davis Probus and was on (Mercer) the Board of the local Hospital Foundation. Following hip surgery, he developed mobility issues so we found him a motor scooter. Volume 29 Number 4 Winter 2020
