Raymond Lamotte and his wife of 53 years, Madeleine, are lifelong residents of the Redvers area.
For years they farmed just southeast of Redvers, raising hogs and operating a cow-calf operation in addition to grain farming. Lamotte farmed at first with his father Harry and brother Blaine.
Raymond and Madeleine then farmed with their two sons, Darren and Corey, until they moved onto their own careers. They retired in 2010 and in 2011 built a new residence on the east side of Â鶹´«Ã½AV Broadway Street in Redvers.
The Lamottes have three children and four grandchildren. Raymond’s great grandparents immigrated from Belgium to Grande-Clairière, Man., in 1890 and went on to homestead south of Redvers by 1894. Lamotte’s daughter, Leanne Poirier, farms south of Antler and her son Craig is therefore a sixth generation Canadian farmer.
Massey Harris farm machinery runs deep in the Lamotte family. In 1891, the Massey Manufacturing Company purchased A Harris & Son and became Massey-Harris. In 1953, they amalgamated with the Ferguson Company of the United Kingdom and became Massey Ferguson, a modern agricultural machinery manufacturer. In 1995, AGCO Corporation purchased the Massey Ferguson name and tractor lineup.
In 1951, Lamotte’s parents, Harry and Evelyn, purchased the Redvers Massey Harris Implement Dealership from Alcide Boutin and shortly thereafter constructed a larger building to operate the new business from. They operated the business until 1960 when it was sold to Ross Boutin.
This building is located on the property presently known as Redvers Agricultural Supply.
Raymond has been purchasing toy tractors for over 30 years and attends many auctions all over North America. While his collection predominantly consists of tractors, he also owns combines, trucks, and cars. He estimates that he has nearly 600 toy tractors, built in scale from 1/64 to 1/32 to 1/16.
Their attractive and very large basement contains rows of beautiful wood cabinets that house nothing but red Massey Harris and Massey Ferguson tractors, and other implements. There is also a smaller collection of Versatile equipment. Around a dozen or so pedal tractors have also been restored. Additionally, there is Massey Harris signage, paintings, clocks, thermometers and rain gauges. Everything is in immaculate condition and it is like walking back in time.
Said Raymond, “The Massey Harris brand runs deep in my blood. In 2015 and 2016, my brother-in-law and I attended two toy tractor shows, one in Iowa and one in Â鶹´«Ã½AV Dakota. We also attended the Massey Exposition of North America in Paisley, Ontario, back in 2018. This year’s Canadian Massey Exposition is being held in Milton, Ontario, and we plan on attending.”
Lamotte also collects Massey Harris literature and has a wide selection of catalogues , sales sheets and magazines. He proudly showed us several beautifully bound books of history compiled by the ultimate Massey collector, self-taught artist and painter Johnny Filipchuk of Oakville, Ont. Naturally, these oversized books are bound in bright red. Again, everything is immaculate.
Raymond also advised us that he owns a dozen Massey Harris real tractors dated from the 1930s to the 1960s. They are all in perfect running condition. He also owns three antique cars, a 1959 Galaxy convertible, and a 1968 and 1969 Thunderbird. And he has a 1951 Chevy Massey Harris service truck that is fully restored. He takes them to various car shows during the summer months.
Now in his 70s, tractor collecting has become a passion for Lamotte and he finds it to be a very satisfying hobby. He and his wife have made a lot of friends along the way and don’t plan on retiring any time soon.
For more agriculture stories from southeast Saskatchewan, check out the special publication.
