TRURO, N.S. — Winding up a gramophone and trying to play along with the music was how Charlie Bordon learned to play guitar.
At age 90, he’s still using his musical skills to bring smiles to people’s faces. He regularly plays guitar at seniors’ socials in Truro and Bible Hill.
“I’ve loved music since I was a little fella,” he recalled. “I used to dance and sing. When I was a kid we were poor but our neighbours had a guitar. We would wind up the gramophone and I’d play along with it. I always played by ear.”
Borden, who grew up in New Glasgow, moved to Truro after stopping at Murphy’s for lunch and meeting Evelyn, who became his wife.
As a young man he joined the Canadian Army and spent three years in Germany, keeping an eye on post-war uprisings. Since then, he’s been a volunteer with the Royal Canadian Legion, serving as a member on various committees and as president of Branch 26. He played with The Musical Vets and The Legion Lyrics.
While working as caretaker of the Truro federal building, he volunteered as a self-defence instructor at the Truro Police Boys’ Club, which evolved into the Boys and Girls Club of Truro and Colchester.
“It was a wonderful organization,” he said. “Sgt. Bruce Conway was director of the club and Ricky Clyke, Dr. John Cook, Wyman Mingo, and Charles “Snookie” Tynes were involved.
“We formed a boxing club and that gave the boys an outlet for their energy. I wasn’t a boxer, but Ricky was in the ring with them a lot.”
The club opened up to girls and offered activities such as bowling and playing pool.
Borden volunteered with community services, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Nova Scotia Housing Committee, John Calvin Christian Reformed Church, Amateur Sports Association, Meals on Wheels and the Wisemen’s Club. He donated blood and helped out at Canadian Red Cross clinics.
“I used to walk all over town and knew everybody,” he said. “I can’t walk as much now but I like to get out.”
In 2005, Borden was honoured by the Community Enhancement Association (CEA) for his activities.
“Charlie is one of the quiet leaders who helped with equality,” said Raymond Tynes, president of the CEA at the time. “He’s a no-nonsense person who gets straight to the point, and I believe he helped bridge gaps and open doors.
"One of his greatest strengths is putting family first, then community, then everything else. He set a standard for the rest of us to look up to.”
Borden and his wife raised nine children. Many of them still live in Truro and often drop by to visit, but if they don’t check his schedule they might miss their father.
Along with visiting people, he plays music at Wynn Park Villa, at the Bible Hill fire hall on the second Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m., and for the seniors' dance at the Douglas Street Recreation Centre every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.
“Music makes people happy and I like bringing them some happiness,” he said.
He said the group he plays with does need a piano player and they would love to hear from a pianist interested in volunteering.
