Bob Stevens is a huge curling fan.
The 70-year-old has lived in North Bay his entire life, and currently resides at Cassellholme Home for the Aged, just blocks away from where the World Women’s Curling Championship is being held.
He was very excited to go to watch some of the best in world go at it, including Jennifer Jones, of whom he is a big fan.
After his pension and old age security cheques went into his account recently, he went to go get money for tickets. But he noticed someone had emptied his account.
“I have no idea whether I paid for something with my debit card or left it behind in the bank machine,” Stevens told 680 CJOB. “But obviously somebody had a way of scanning my pin number to use it. Whoever had my debit card had gone on a shopping spree. Being a senior, I need those pension checks to live off of. They spent all of it.”
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The North Bay Nugget, the local newspaper, ran a story on Tuesday about Stevens’ situation, and the outpouring was immediate.
“It was amazing. I had free tickets given to me, one little girl gave me her birthday money. I spent all day crying but it was okay because they were tears of joy. It’s been so long since I’ve had tears of joy in my eyes.”
The icing on the cake for Stevens was getting to meet Jones Wednesday, a moment captured by Curling Canada in a photo that has gone viral in the curling community.
“That was a moment in my life I’ll never forget,” Stevens gushed. “She gave me a big beautiful hug. She took time out of he schedule to come over and see me. That is a class act, it definitely is.”
Jones is skip for Team Canada, along side Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwen and Shannon Birchard.
The team has yet to lose and is one of the favourites to capture the world title. Stevens was asked if he thinks Jones can get the job done this weekend.
“Yes I do, yes I do. They’re such a good curling team. Some of the shots they make are just one inch next to another rock. The whole team can draw to the button at any time. I’m even going over there to start a cheer. It should help spirit her along.”
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