John G. Wilkins was born to Ernest and Elise Wilkins on June 12, 1905 in Reston, Man. Ernest and Elsie had immigrated from England in 1891. John's three brothers, Harold, Art and Bruce, rounded out the Wilkins family. John received all of his education at King Street School and the North Battleford Collegiate Institute. Sometime after arriving in Canada, John's father lost an arm in a threshing machine accident. In 1911, despite this traumatic setback, Ernest was able to set up shop as a harness merchant.
On June 1, 1923, John began his career as a telephone night operator. He worked from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily except for two Saturday nights per month, about 65 hours a week. His duties included handling long distance calls, giving telephone information, time service and wake-up calls, and testing all of the long distance lines in the morning. John also had janitorial duties. This job lasted for three and a half lonely years while he waited to begin his apprenticeship training in Saskatoon.
John moved to Saskatoon on Jan. 16, 1927. Two years later, he became a telephone switchman. From this point forward, John steadily climbed the ladder of success. On May 1, 1941, he was promoted to the position of exchange supervisor in Saskatoon, a post he held until Oct. 6, 1948. At this point, he assumed the heavy responsibility of district manager in North Battleford. Finally, on Sept. 1, 1960, he was promoted to district plant superintendent in North Battleford.
During John's lengthy career, there were great changes in the communications industry. When John began his career, very few homes and businesses had telephones. If one wanted to communicate with Toronto, for example, he or she would likely use the telegraph service provided by the railways. As technology improved, telephones replaced the telegraph. In 1920, long distance telephone service required two 10 or 12 gauge copper wires between two points in order to make a call. When direct distance dialling was installed on June 6, 1967, North Battleford and area customers were able to dial their own long distance calls.
After a remarkable 47-year journey, from night supervisor to plant superintendent, John retired on June 5, 1970.
After his retirement, John had much more time to invest in service to his community. Shortly after closing out his career with SaskTel, John was appointed to the position of Rotary president. He had held other executive positions in this community-minded service club. For his exemplary service with the Rotary organization, he received the Paul Harris award. John had also been a member of the Kinsmen Club in Saskatoon and continued with the Kinsmen in North Battleford as a K-40 member. John was also a talented gardener, a skill he used to help his fellow citizens. For example, he planted numerous trees and flowers at River Heights Lodge. John also installed magneto telephones in the Western Development Museum buildings in North Battleford. As a SaskTel Pioneer member (a group of retired men and women who had worked in the communications industry) of the WDM, John took a special interest in the museum's exhibits and operation. In addition to his extensive community service, John was also an Elder with the Third Avenue United Church.
John and Ellen Hornby, a Meota girl, were married in Saskatoon in 1930 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage. They had one son, Wayne, who was born in July, 1941. They also had a granddaughter, a grandson, and two great-granddaughters. John and Ellen were immeasurably proud of their family.
John's primary recreational activity was golf. And, he was good at it. At the age of 81, he was able to beat his son who was 36 years his junior. John and Ellen also enjoyed travel. Their journeys included 11 trips to the islands of Hawaii.
On the occasion of our city's centennial, we pause to recognize a remarkable citizen whose long career and record of community service benefited so many. We owe a large thank you to John Wilkins.
