You can take the man out of the military, but you can’t take the military out of the man. So, it seems only fitting that former Canadian Army Master Warrant Officer Vince Merritt would not only stay in Chilliwack after being stationed here in 1954 but would end up living at Elim Village Garrison Crossing—located on part of the former Canadian Forces Base.
On the balcony of his spacious one-bedroom suite in The Hawthorn, Vince shows off his thriving garden. “I love gardening,” he says. And it shows. But it’s not only the tomatoes and cucumbers that are thriving; he’s thriving, too.
After being widowed in late 2023, Vince was lonely. “I wasn’t taking very good care of myself,” he recalls. A health scare landed him in hospital for six weeks. While he was there, his daughter recognized that her dad would benefit from living in a place where he’d get the support—and the community—he was lacking.
She discovered Independent Plus Living at The Hawthorn and brought Vince for a visit. “It turned out to be a very good choice,” he says. “The people here—staff and residents—are helpful and friendly. I feel quite comfortable.”
According to Katie Stam, Elim Village Garrison Crossing’s Community Life and Wellness Coordinator, it’s not uncommon for people to begin to thrive shortly after moving into The Hawthorn. “Almost right away, we can see the difference it makes when residents gain access to the supports, they may need, receive nutritious meals, and feel the embrace of the community connections they make.”
Originally from Nova Scotia, Vince was inspired by his grandfather and two uncles, who served in the First and Second World Wars. He began collecting military medals and badges when he was 12 and enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces at the tender age of 16.
The new recruit found himself stationed at CFB Chilliwack, where he completed his high school education before he began his service. Just a few short years later, a friend from his baseball team would introduce him to a local young lady who would become his wife. Vince and Sara-Lynn married in 1959.
Together, the couple had three children, all born in Chilliwack, like their mother. One of their sons—and now a grandson—also joined the armed forces, making five generations of Merritt family military service. Throughout his own 25-year military tenure, Vince had tours of duty from Quebec City to Egypt, Tanzania and Germany.
Today, Vince volunteers with the Chilliwack Hospice Society (receiving a Governor General of Canada Award for his service in 2022), plays crib with fellow Elim Village residents, and tends to his burgeoning balcony garden.
Though he misses Sara-Lynn dearly, he says he’s doing much better. And he has some advice for married couples: “Tell your spouse you love them each and every day.”
Live your life to the fullest at The Hawthorn at Elim Village Garrison Crossing. Learn more at elimvillage.com, by calling 604-769-0022, or by emailing garrisoncrossing@elimvillage.com. Stay up to date with their latest offerings by subscribing to their mailing list.
