HENRY REMAI ADOPTS A ROOM
To describe Henry Remai is to say, in the words of one of his students, that he is a pure mathematics genius. As this same student so aptly put, “Mr. Remai made calculus become absolutely clear to me. And I was not math oriented so when that can happen, it’s a miracle.”
Prior to going to University and becoming a high school math teacher, Henry grew up on a farm near Carrot River. Ties to his rural roots and the family farm always figured prominently in his life. Life on the farm wasn’t always easy, especially during the winter. He recalls frigid trips home from midnight mass in a horse drawn sleigh as a child. That’s why “having the chapel there (St. Ann’s) is a real, real bonus. People can go there to meditate or pray. It’s a very peaceful place to be,” says Henry.
Once Henry moved to the city his brother Steve continued to farm in that area of Saskatchewan. When he died, Henry inherited his estate, along with the responsibility to make a difference in people’s lives. It was this marvelous gift from Steve that Henry is passing forward to others. Since inheriting Henry has remarkedly donated to about 10 different organizations each year. And St. Ann’s Home has become e beneficiary of both brother’s kindness and caring.
Henry has “adopted a room” by giving $50,000 to completely upgrade it so that the residents may have the comfort and care that they so richly deserve. Henry noticed that, “a lot of the rooms at St. Ann’s don’t have the facilities they should. They don’t have lifts to easily transfer someone from a wheelchair,” he says. This impacts on resident’s safety and accessibility to their washrooms. Time was that few people were in wheelchairs 40 years ago, in 2018 most residents in the Home are wheelchair bound.
The $4.3M upgrade during the Spirit of Renewal Campaign will see all 80 residents rooms complete with new flooring, windows, fresh paint, bathrooms made accessible and ceiling lift slings. After upgrades to St. Ann’s Home, Henry Remai expects the resident rooms will be as warm and welcoming as the employees. “When you go into St. Ann’s someone immediately says hello or asks, ‘Can I help you?’ he says.
Henry’s had several family members live in nursing homes and knows the importance of excellent care. His parting words are, “I hope when they complete all the renovations, it becomes a model for others to follow.”
St. Ann’s is very grateful for Henry’s kindness and generosity. Thank you Henry!