I always wanted to be an engineer. Since graduating from McGill in 1962 I have been designing roads, bridges and buildings. My company is one of the largest independent  structural engineering firms in Quebec. I am still active today but working at a reduced pace. Through the years I have always been proud to point out some of my achievements to my children and grandchildren.

 

In 1962 I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from McGill and a year later I was married to my teenage sweetheart Barbara Moss. We have 3 wonderful children and each has blessed us with two grandchildren. In 1964 I served as President of Bonaventure Lodge of B'Nai Brith where I was active through the 1980s. I joined Hillsdale Golf Club in 1963 and served as President in 1994 and 1995. My hobbies are golf, cooking and oil painting. We live in Cote St. Luc and vacation often in Florida where we own a condo.

I met my wife Barbara while I was at Outremont High. We had a common aunt and she fixed us up on a blind date for Barbara Schlaer's sweet 16. That's Barb and I in the 1957 photo.

Barbara and I in Zion National Park in Utah. October 2016

We've been married 43 years. The May 2006 photo is what it's all about, our 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

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For the past 45 years I have been actively involved in the design of bridges, tunnels and especially buildings. Hundreds of them. I find my work very stimulating and creative and because of that I am not ready to retire. For the last 12 years I have been a principal associate of Saia, Deslauriers, Kadanoff, Leconte, Brisebois and Blais, the largest independent structural engineering firm in Montreal. Some of my work can be seen on our website www.sdklbb.com . Much of my time now is spent as an expert in engineering litigation.

 

One day as I was trying to explain to my 6 year old grand-daughter how we built the bridge on Autoroute 13 over Rivieres-des-Prairies that we were driving across she said, "I guess Zaida, first you built the bridge and then you built the water". 

How else?

 

There is nothing more that I enjoy than spending time with my family.

 

Looking forward to seeing my former classmates. Regards to all!

 

Norman Kadanoff, Eng.