Family History
Over 100 years of oar and paddle making experience is in the Fancy Family.
Van Fancy - 24 years and counting.
Grandfather - Clarence Fancy 24 years. 1957 to 1981
Father - Milton Fancy 49 years. 1957 to 2006
Uncle - Arnold Fancy 23 years. 1957 to 1980
1957 the Fancy's went to work for Nathan Joudrey and Sons.
Producing sportsman's pride oars and paddles in Blockhouse,
Nathan's products was shipped all over
Selling to Simpson-Sears, Niska and Wool co.
The business was sold to Dave and Ron Boston in 1971.
Sportsman's Pride Logo.
The Boston's renamed it Dafron Industry Ltd.
Running the business in the blockhouse shop for 5 years.
Dafron Industry closed in 1982.
Clarence retired and Arnold went to work for a wooden box company.
Dafron logo.
Fixing an old shop in his back yard
Purchasing some of the machinery left over in blockhouse and oakhill.
He built what ever was needed to make the product.
Running the business with his wife Melba by his side for 25 years.
Melba doing the book work and helping in the shop when needed.
They have two sons Carson and Van who helped some but went on to other jobs.
Supplying the International Dory Racing and many marine shops.
He was a humble man and enjoyed life to the fullest.
The craftsman ship was done to perfection.
Milton passed away in August 2006 at the age of 67.
Milton Fancy & Sons logo.
Van came to work for his father in September of 2000.
May of 2006 he and his wife Janice started Van Fancy Oars & Paddles.
Van had the honor to be taught for six years by the man that was known as the best.
Since then they have been making and selling oars and paddles all over the world.
Van Fancy logo.
The traditional steps are still done in the same way.
The machinery runs as it did in the 60's.
If it's loose... tighten it.
If it squeaks... grease or oil it.
If it's dull... then sharpen it.
Quality... Craftmanship... Longevity...
Fancy's products have been featured in:
Radio interviews
Magazines
Newspaper articles
Books
TV shows: HandCraftedNS/videos
Movies
Pirates of the Caribbean
Moby Dick
The Disappeared
January 22,1980
Milton Fancy (left) and Lester Willniff loading boxes of spruce oars.
Early 1980's
Clinton Eisner (left) sanding and Clarence Fancy planning an oar on the same lathe used today.
1973
Arnold Fancy showing the Sportsman's Pride paddles.
Late 1980's
Arnold Fancy sawing out a oar on the same bandsaw used today.
