STOUGHTON - Former Stoughton resident Don Richardson has turned his passion for storytelling and family history into a literary achievement.
The author recently published a book, This is Mostly about Me, that delves deep into his heritage, offering readers a glimpse into his history and personal experiences that have shaped his life.
Richardson’s book is more than just a recounting of names and dates; it is a heartfelt journey through generations, capturing the essence of his ancestors and their experiences.
The 435-page book came about when Richardson and his wife of 32 years Marnie went camping with their families. Richardson, who loves to tell stories, began with some of his tales. His granddaughter Natalie Anderson suggested that he put these stories into a book for all to read.
His wife helped every step of the way, which is why the book is lovingly dedicated to her.
Richardson begins his book by going back to 1889 with his grandfather Herbert Richardson, who was born in Quebec and moved to Stoughton in 1910. His grandmother Violet Mitchell was born several years later and came to Stoughton on the train when her father had recently become a widower. She lived with her twin aunts and eventually married Richardson’s grandfather.
The twin aunts married into the Richardson family, and later two more sisters married Richardson family members. Many years later Stoughton was home to the four-time Richardson brothers curling team.
Richardson’s father Harry was born in 1915, and they lived on a farm southeast of Stoughton. This farm remains in the family to this day.
When Harry was old enough, he married Erna in 1940, and Don Richardson was born in 1943.
In the years that followed, he graduated school and took a one-year course in the University of Saskatchewan for pharmacy. He also worked for SGI and then became a commercial banker.
Moving around several times, he ended up at Eaton’s in Alberta as the regional manager, and he initiated the credit card with the company.
Through the years, he was a volunteer firefighter for the Stoughton Fire Department, and he also built the restaurant at the junction of Highways 13 and 47 named Don’s Restaurant.
Don and Marnie Richardson are now settled in Regina, but still own the land that is farmed outside of Stoughton.
As they gathered with family members for camping once again, they were able to show and give them a copy of the book.
On Aug. 24, Richardson had a book signing and reading at the Prairie Pantry in Stoughton in the afternoon, and in the evening went to the Crossroads Bar and Grill.
It was at that time they gave all the proceeds thus far from the sale of the books to the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Department and the First Responders.
Money from every book sold will be donated to these causes.
