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Each spring since 1949, a distinguished
group has gathered to celebrate Dofasco
employees who have reached the
milestones of 25 and 40 years of service
and to induct them into the prestigious
Quarter Century Club (QCC). It’s a
much anticipated event, with a fine
meal and hearty congratulations all
around, highlighted by a commemorative
portrait book, recognition through
a special section of The Hamilton
Spectator and the distribution of coveted
service awards.
The first annual dinner was held at the
Royal Connaught Hotel in 1949 when 54
employees were inducted into the Club,
receiving certificates, engraved watches
and 25-year pins. D.F. (Dan) Hassel, vice
president of employee relations, was
chairman of the meeting, a position he
held until 1972.
At each meeting, the QCC celebration
is called to order with the ringing of the
Club bell by the evening’s master of
ceremonies. The gavel’s inscription reads:
“
Presented by D.F. Hassel to The Dofasco
Quarter Century Club.”
On September 27, 2012, the company’s
100
th anniversary, the 64th Annual
Quarter Century Club celebration was
held with 77 employees reaching the
25
year milestone and 99 reaching 40
years of service. This swelled the active
club membership to more than 8,500,
with an astonishing 3,000 of those
active employees. The celebration saw all
active Club members invited back for the
homecoming of the century.
This page: The Quarter Century Club bell, inscribed with
each chairman’s name, is rung with a gavel, donated by
the first chairman, Dan Hassel, to begin the celebration
banquet each year.
Facing page: Pages of the company magazine The
Illustrated News, 1949.
Time honoured traditions