In 1988 The Holmes Foundry Caposite Plant closed after 70 years of operation. It was a dirty, unsanitary place right from the beginning. In 1918 Holmes Foundry was to supply parts for the auto industry. In 1956 the company closed its Caposite Insulation plant. There were three seperate operations at the Holmes facitlity at the corner of Exmouth and Christina Streets in Sarnia, Ontario. Homes Foundry, Caposite Insulation and the Holmes Insulation plant. In 1970, the foundry was sold to American Motors Corporation. The Caposite Insulation plant closed in 1974, and around that same time, Holmes Insulation moved to Scott Road in Sarnia when it was purchased by Babcock and Wilcock Ltd.. Amercican Motors aquired the former Insulation building and used it for storage at the Holmes foundry site.
The foundry changed ownership hands once more in 1984 when Daimler-Chrysler bought it. They closed the site down permenantly in 1988.
Behind this legacy of an industry is many sick men and families, and many deceased men and families.
It has never been denied, that there are over 51 carcinogens that these men were forced to endure exposure too on a daily basis. These men had no choice really. This was their livelyhood, the way they kept food on the tables for their families. At the time many of these men were unaware of what the future would bring for their health or their families health. They just went to work, put in their hours and went home.
Of the men that are still alive, many are extremely sick with cancers, lung diseases, heart problems, just to mention a few. Many of the deceased have died from these same disease, plus more such as enlarged hearts. Their families are also finding themselves getting sick, due to secondary exposure. These wives or kids welcomed their dads home everynight, not knowing that they were covered in the asbestos, or silica dust. And they too are now sick or deceased.
I am looking for anyone that may have worked at the foundry at any time, or know of someone that worked there. I need names to add to our growing list, there is a pending legal litagation to get these men and their families compensation. So the more names we get the better.
Many of these men are being denied WSIB and WCB benefits. It is being admitted that they were exposed, but little compensation is being made.
Please email me if you have any information regarding the foundry, and or people that may have worked at the foundry!
I am also looking for someone that may have old pictures of the Holmes site.
Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart and from the families hearts. Take time to love your family now as you may not have the chance to say things in the future! And please keep these families in your prayers always, as they need it!
For more information please click on one of the links, for some valuable reading material!!!
Email me at imthemom43@hotmail.com
Review of the Ministry of Labour Documents for Holmes Foundry 1950-1988
Reports to CAW on Holmes Foundry
Cancer causing Chemicals
Compensating for the past
Soul Survivors
