Dreams Under Construction

'dream Big And Know That All Things Are Possible.'that Is The Motto Of John Bahen, One Of Canada,s Most Successful Construction EngineersAnd, In ACareer Spanning From The Postwar Years Of The Past Century To Major Fundraising Efforts In The Early Years Of This Century, Dream Big, He DidHis Vision, Born In The Sandbox Cities He Built As AChild At His Residential School In Toronto, Crystalized Into ARewarding Engineering Career, During Which He Managed Massive Projects Ranging From Roads And Dams To Buildings And Transit SystemsJohn Made His Mark At Omahabased Worldwide Contractor Peter Kiewit Sons Inc., Particularly When He Won His First Of Several Contracts On The Highprofile James Bay Hydroelectric Project In QuebecHe Continued Over The Next Thirty Years To Land Significant Jobs, Such As Saskatchewan,s Nipawin Dam And Powerhouse, The Rodney Terminal In New Brunswick, The Elevated Portion Of The Vancouver Skytrain And The Hibernia Oil Drilling Rig In NewfoundlandGenerating Annual Volumes Of Business Ranging From $ Million To $ Million, John Took Great Pride In Bringing His Projects In On Time And On BudgetHis Ability And Success Put Kiewit,s Canadian Operation, Of Which He Eventually Became President, Solidly On The MapHis Strong Leadership As Well As His Extreme Attention To Detail Became Known As The 'bahen Style,' Which Drew Admiration And Respect From Friends And Colleagues AlikeMost Of All, He Had AGreat Ability To Laugh At HimselfJohn Was Deservedly Recognized For His Accomplishments With Several Awards And Tributes, Among Them, The Prestigious Order Of Canada, As Well As An Honorary Doctorate Of Engineering From His Alma Mater, The University Of TorontoJohn And His Wife, Margaret, Worked Well As ATeam In Their Family Life, Overcoming Personal Tragedy As Well As Enjoying The Fruits Of His LabourTheir Philanthropy Over The Years Has Greatly Enriched Toronto,s Medical, Academic And Cultural CommunitiesDreams Under Construction: The Life, Work And Legacy Of John Bahen Is ATribute To AMan Who Helped Build Canada From The Ground Up.
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