Perhaps one of Centerbrook’s most grievous moments was Eric’s sudden death in 1978 at the early age of sixty-two years. Once again the land seemed to enfold and comfort those left to mourn. The call of the land and its values drew Eric and Jessie’s children back to their roots. Lester had attended agricultural college and had returned home to farm with Eric, gleaning the art of farming from his father’s respected advice. He and his wife, Sharon Dunsford, built a house south of the homestead and now farm Centerbrook, as well as a number of other farms they have acquired in the surrounding communities. Purebred Li— mousin cattle graze the fertile acres, and fields of seed potatoes, barley, and clover blanket the landscape. Donald, who teaches school and also continues with his father’s love of horses, and his wife, Karen MacFadyen, live in Lewis Point Park. Erith and her husband, Bloyce McLellan, have a house north of the homestead, and Marion and her husband, Jim Harris, live in the homestead itself, where Jessie also resides. Now over Cente’rbrook’s broad expanses roams another genera- tion — eighteen at last count!

The waters of Tulesipk flow in and out at the eastern foot of the farm. Centerbrook still propels its spring waters toward the sea in tireless fashion. The ways of farming have changed with the times but the farmlands of Centerbrook are still cherished by the tenth generation of the Leard family.

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