Judy LaGrandeur retires after 42 years of busing service in the Pincher Creek area

Judy LaGrandeur cuts her celebratory retirement cake
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Judy LaGrandeur is retiring after serving the busing needs of the Pincher Creek area since 1970. She started driving school buses in 1972, and was made the lead driver circa 1994.  She eventually became the Location Manager for First Student/Cardinal, but considers herself a bus driver first and foremost.  In her time she has seen major changes in ownership, and has driven most of the children in the Pincher Creek area, including the parents and grandparents of many of the children being bused today.

Albert and Judy LaGrandeur with Stan Weber

Now, at age 65,  she has passed the torch to Sharon Roberts, the new Location Manager for First Student/Cardinal.  She gave First Student her notice last December but agreed to stay on until a suitable replacement was found.  Judy has decided she can't leave completely, and will be a spare bus driver when needed.

Members of the First Student Pincher Creek team

On Friday, October 19 a special party was held in Judy's honour at the Heritage Inn.  DJ Frankenstein provided the music and the Heritage Inn provided a beef dinner.  A wonderful bus-themed cake was a central piece for the dessert table.  In attendance were bus drivers, mechanics, company representatives, and well-wishers.

Sharon Roberts

Judy presented service awards before being presented herself with a Glen Olson painting of two cardinals and a 30 year anniversary pin set in a pendant from Legacy Cardinal. Keynote speaker Stan Weber, regional vice president for First Student Canada, saluted Judy for her service.  Weber's family established Cardinal Coachlines.  "Thank you very much for making this whole program down here such a success," Weber said.

After that, the event turned into a bit of a roast, with Martin Karabacz, Dan Crawford, and Tom McNabb all taking turns reminiscing about some of the fun times they'd had working with and for Judy.

Afterwards I chatted with Judy LaGrandeur and Sharon Roberts.

"They aren't kidding when they say she knows every student," said Sharon Roberts.  "We were out doing routes in August," said Roberts.  "So we're driving along and she's going 'Oh yeah, this is so-and-so... oh but they don't live there anymore, that's so-and-so but they live over there now...'.  Honestly, she seems to know every child, their parents, their grandparents, where they were born, where they now live, and where their relatives live."  Roberts herself drove school bus in St. Albert and had 12 years experience driving public transit buses in Edmonton before moving to Pincher Creek.

Cake by Co-op

Judy had nothing but good things to say about her experiences as a driver and administrator. "It's been a really wonderful experience, it really has.  There's just been so many good things about it.  There are a lot more good things than there are bad."

Under Judy's administration the retention of drivers has been remarkably good, in an industry known for its high turn-over rates.  "This has to be one of the few locations that has so many long-standing drivers," Roberts said.  "I think the standing joke around Pincher Creek is you won't get a school run until somebody either retires or dies."

"It's a great place to drive," Roberts continued.  "Where else do you get to see the scenery that's around here?"

What made it such a great experience for Judy?  "My favourite thing driving bus is the kids, that one's easy to answer.  The kids and the people you meet.  The kids are the best.  They keep you young, they really do."

"Right now I'm driving grandchildren of kids that started with me."

Judy was born in Blairmore, moved to Pincher Creek when she was 8 years old, "And I haven't moved since."  In addition to driving occasionally Judy is working a part-time job, and "Keeping busy".

First Student service award recipients

First Student Canada (Pincher Creek) 2012 Service Awards:

Judith Green: 5 years

Jocelyn Elliott: 5 years

Wayne Camber: 5 years

Vicki Hewison: 5 years

Kathy Welsch: 10 years

Phyllis Abramenko: 15 years

Monica Burles: 15 years

Pattie Degan: 15 years

Coralie Karabacz: 15 years

Dianne Lepard: 15 years

Kathy Spencer: 15 years

Doug Smith: 20 years

Laurel Holte: 25 years

Martin Karabacz: 35 years

Vicki Hewison - 5 years

Pattie Degan (left) - 15 years

Kathy Spencer - 15 years

Phyllis Abramenko (left) - 15 years

Coralie Karabacz (right) - 15 years

Dianne Lepard (left) - 15 years

Monica Burles (left)  - 15 years

Laurel Holte (left) - 25 years

Martin Karabacz (left) - 35 years