Thomas Anson Gaetz [Aug. 7, 1871-Feb. 15, 1950]

T.A. Gaetz Family, from left, Thomas Anson (Tom) Gaetz, sons Thomas Harold, Joseph Beaumont and Richard Anson, daughter Florence Margaret, and wife Emily Parry.

Born: 7 August 1871, Lunnenberg, Nova Scotia
Married: 1 January 1896 to Emily Parry

Children: Joseph Beaumont (1897-1968), Thomas Harold (1898-1977), Raymond Parry (1904-1908), Florence Margaret (1906), Richard Anson (1908-1924), Elizabeth Irene (died at birth)

Died: 15 February1950, Red Deer, Alberta

• Homesteaded Waskasoo District with brother Beau;
• When old enough to file a claim, took up a homestead in the Penhold District (now the Douglas Farm);
• Later ranched with Brother Beau 25 miles down the Red Deer river near Alix;
• In 1907 he entered into partnership with his brother Harold L. Gaetz and opened up a store on the corer of Ross St. and Gaetz Ave. Later the partnership was dissolved and he opened and operated his own store, the Gaetz and Gaetz store, on the corner of Ross St., and Kingsmill Ave. until 1922.

OFFICES HELD

• Served a term on the town council; also a member of the Hospital Board. Served as President of the Board of Trade and as a Director of the Red Deer Exhibition Association;
• President of the Retail Merchant's Association for Alberta in 1913;
• Secretary of the building committee for the war memorial on Ross Street after World War I;
• First President of the Central Alberta Old Timers, 1934;
• At various times served as President of the Curling Club, Hockey, Football and Baseball Clubs; In 1912, President of a professional Baseball Club entered in the Western Canada Professional Baseball League. He served as 2nd Vice-President of the A.A.U. of C.

A very generous person (in fact too generous for his own welfare) a wonderful husband and father, a great sports enthusiast. Always ready to help a friend.

-- EXCERPTS from Dick Gaetz's family history