Morris Gilbert Sanftenberg might be 90 years old, but he still likes playing with trucks with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
According to his daughter, Theresa Minten, family and friends gathered earlier this month not only to celebrate his birthday but also to honour his legacy.
He was born and raised on a farm in the Walford area, and while he was not interested in farming, he loved the tractors.
He left school after grade seven and worked alongside other men from Walford building the overpass just east of Walford, followed by several years in the Elliot Lake area where he helped build the hydro line along Lake Superior to Wawa.
Not only did he carry poles up mountains, but he also learned to operate heavy equipment, eventually returning home to marry and establish Sanftenberg Construction in 1958.
The company has been a mainstay of the North Shore Corridor ever since, having worked with the township and ministries, maintaining roads, and even cutting wood to take to the former Espanola pulp and paper mill in the winter.
Eventually, Morris bought a gravel pit, expanding his operations and creating dozens of jobs over the years.
A family-led business, it continues to provide services with him at the helm.
They had about 200 people attend on Sunday, August 2 to celebrate with us including family, friends, neighbours and people he has worked with in the past 67 years he has been in business!
Cheryl Phillips, Councillor for the Sables-Spanish Rivers Township and MPP Bill Rosenberg both presented him with congratulatory certificates as did the Prime Minister’s office.
Morris’s birthday was August 11th, so wish him a happy 90th!!!
