COMMITMENT: Waterdown resident Joe Slagter is all smiles after receiving recognition for a half-century of service at Boonstra's One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning.

Joe Slagter was just 16 years old and a newly arrived immigrant to Canada when he accepted an offer of employment from Clarence Boonstra in 1958. Today, he still works for the heating and air conditioning business at Clappison's Corners and can honestly say that he's never had a desire to work anywhere else.

"I still go to work and say, 'Alright, what's happening today,'" the Waterdown resident said while describing his continued enthusiasm for a job with Boonstra's One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning that has spanned 50 years. "The thing is, I just love meeting people."

Acknowledging that working for the same company for 50 years is a rare milestone, Slagter said he never saw the need to leave. "It's all about commitment and loyalty," he explained, adding that those qualities are a two-way street between employee and employer. "If the bosses are loyal to you, you become loyal to the company."

His loyalty was recognized recently when a top company official, Rebecca Cassel from One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning of Sarasota, Florida, dropped into the Clappison's Corners office to present Slagter with a plaque and a watch. Canadian owners, Bruce Cook of Burlington and Vaughn Goettler of King City, were on hand for the presentation along with Cameron Kerr, general manager of the Waterdown business and the rest of the Boonstra staff.

Slagter's wife, Shirley, and two of his four children, Ken of Carlisle and Annette DeBoer of Waterdown, were also present. DeBoer's husband and two children attended as well. Unable to attend were Slagter's son, Ben of California and daughter, Lisa of Idaho.

Slagter has many fond memories of installing oil furnaces and eaves troughs at area homes with the company's founder, Clarence. In those days, it wasn't just a matter of installing the furnaces and ductwork; all the metal components had to be made from sheet metal.

Slagter apprenticed as a tinsmith at the shop for 65 cents an hour. In the early days, the shop was located on Enfield Drive in Burlington, but Clarence relocated the business to the Clappison's Corners site after about five years.

"I remember in the early 1960s, we could install an oil furnace and all the ductwork for $795," Slagter recalled.

After more than 30 years of working in service, Slagter's boss wanted him to try his hand at sales. Although initially reluctant to make the change, Slagter made the transition with ease.

"All I had to do was work out a price (for customers) and represent the company," he said. Meeting customers' needs came naturally for him because of his people skills and desire to help.

Over the years, he has built up a strong customer base and can proudly boast that he has looked after the heating and air conditioning needs of some families for three generations. His easy-going manner and genuine interest in people have been important attributes of his success in sales.

"My wife will tell you, 'Joe talks to people on elevators,'" he said with a laugh while talking about his innate affinity for others.

While his work has always been an important part of his life, Slagter didn't let his job detract from spending time with his family. His son, Ken, said no matter how busy his dad got, he was always home for supper with his family and, during those times, the phone and television were off. His dad's values have had a big influence on him and other family members over the years.

While not ready to retire yet, Slagter began working a four-day week about a year ago. He is always eager to mentor new employees and offer advice based on his many years of experience in the field.

Last week, he and his wife embarked on a well deserved and much anticipated two-month vacation. They are traveling by car through the American mid-west and southwestern United States. They plan to see their son, Ben and daughter, Lisa during their visit before returning home along the western coast of the United States. They also hope to see a lot of western Canada on their return trip.

But cutting his ties with work completely just doesn't fit into Slagter's vacation plans.

"My phone goes with me to California," he confided.

"I just can't leave and leave stuff hanging."