Sowerby, Robert Elder

Born at Dorchester, NB, and deaf probably from rheumatic fever at an early age. New Brunswick School for the Deaf 1903-1907, but left at age 13 to seek work. Apprenticed as a tailor, continuing his education through night school. Took and passed a civil service examination in 1912, but had to wait until 1917 for a job opening, when he was offered a position as a letter carrier. No one realized he was deaf until he had been in the job 3 years, and he continued delivering mail until about 1922, when he transferred to a mail sorting clerk position; he remained with the Canadian post office for a total of 41 years, retiring in 1958. Married Rita Brine in 1923.