The legend of Henry Levac

Henry P. Levac, a well-known woodsman in the Canadian exploration community, died recently. He was 75.

Levac worked with dozens of geologists, engineers and geophysicists. In the field, he was renown for his skilful use of the legendary axe he kept razor sharp. Levac trapped prior to working 30 years for Inco Exploration, whereupon he retired, only to return to trapping and contract exploration.

He was the type of worker with whom ambitious people wanted to be associated, whereas lazy workers were hounded by him and therefore often disliked him.

An all-around bushman, he prospected, staked claims, performed geophysical surveys, and was proficient with a Winkie diamond drill. When there was a crew on hand, he would always let them know he was “on charge” of the operation. In fact, he made a lot of field managers look good in the eyes of their superiors, except for the odd tussle in local bars.

Levac was highly opinionated, aggressive, and outspoken. He loved to train “st-oo-dents,” as he would say with his thick French-Canadian accent. His escapades were mostly in bars, which often served as his office. Most people who met him have a story to tell about their “brush with Henry.”

At his funeral, the casket area featured an easel with pictures from his life along with a written story be Gene Glisky, who worked with Levac at Inco. [Glisky’s story will appear in next week’s issue.] Next to his casket was his axe, sharp as always and wrapped in leather; beside it, a pair of snowshoes, his packsack and other bush-related items. The only thing missing was a claim post.

I can only imagine what it was like when Levac arrived at the “pearly gates” with all of his gear. His conversation with St. Peter might have gone something like this:

St. Peter: Hello Henry, welcome.

Henry: H’ullo.

St. Peter: What do you have there?

Henry: I brought m’ gear.

St. Peter: I’m sorry but we do not allow any gear to be brought through the gate. What would you need it for anyway?

Henry: I gotta stake da claim.

St. Peter: You cannot enter unless you leave the gear behind.

Henry: By geez, I am going into dat gate wit my gear!

St. Peter: No, I’m sorry Henry.

Henry: Mo-gee, pass me da h’axe.

— The author, a retired geologist, resides in Sudbury, Ont.