Bob Hird, 84, said he’s always dreamed of going to Niagara Falls with his wife.
The couple married when Hird was just 19-years-old.
When she passed away, weeks before their 60th anniversary, Hird held onto his dream.
Earlier this year, Hird visited the impressive landmark thanks to Wish of a Lifetime Canada, a charity that helps grant wishes to senior citizens.
“It’s something I’ll remember the rest of my life,” Hird said.
“For somebody to make this possible it’s just great.”
Wish of a Lifetime Canada has partnered up with Chartwell, the owner of Pointe-Claire retirement residence Le Wellesley.
“We just wanted to expand our vision of making people’s lives better to all seniors in this country,” said Max Camerlain, Chartwell vice-president of marketing.
Any Canadian senior can apply to have their wish granted and anyone can nominate an elderly loved one for Wish of a Lifetime Canada.
The charity caught the eye of Olympic silver medalist skier Mikaël Kingsbury.
“I think the important thing is the story they have behind them and what are their dreams that they want to achieve,” Kingsbury said.
“I think it’s very inspiring and it should be inspiring to anyone.”
Within the last year, Wish of a Lifetime Canada has granted wishes to 12 Canadian seniors.
For Hird, his trip to Niagara Falls is something he believes his wife was able to experience in spirit.
“They sent my daughter as my chaperone. She’s seeing it through the eyes of my wife I’m sure,” Hird said.
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