Nancy Lamont holding a keepsake from 1974. The journal was used by management at the Terminal Park McDonald's location to communicate with one another. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

I'm lovin it

Trailblazing Nanaimo fast food manager retires after nearly 50 years

Jan 4, 2021 | 5:35 AM

NANAIMO — Nancy Lamont welled up in tears looking back on a fulfilling career she was told would never materialize.

The 64-year-old general manager of the Nicol St. McDonald’s made her last Big Mac on Thursday, Dec 31 after 48 years with the fast food giant.

At 15, the born and raised Nanaimoite was hired as a crew member at the Terminal Park McDonald’s in 1972.

She said very few females were employed by McDonald’s in Canada in those days.

Lamont quickly had aspirations to one day land a management role.

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“I gave up, I was told ‘No you can’t be a manager as a female.’ I just continued to work and do my best. I changed goals in my life, I decided I would get married and have kids.”

Lamont was still a teenager when she helped roll out McDonald’s first organizational training program at every Vancouver Island location.

After years of persistence, Lamont was eventually promoted to store manager in 1989.

More menu items, modernized restaurants and diversified staff are just a few of the drastic changes Lamont has seen in her career.

She pulled out an old McDonald’s diary from 1974 used by managers at the Terminal Park location to keep everybody in the loop.

One entry complained about the state of the store at closing, while another was from a manager telling another to place a bet for him on a horse race.

“There wasn’t as many rules in the early days,” Lamont chuckled.

She’ll miss the regular customers, many of whom rely on McDonald’s for social interaction.

Lamont would transfer between stores every three or four years and like clockwork loyal customers followed to maintain their companionship.

“The same customers come in at the same time every day quite often and they look for you, talk to you to brighten up their day.”

The married mother of three who lives in Parksville and loves golf said she’s looking forward to pursuing other interests.

“I’ve worked all my life so it’s going to be a whole new life for me…I’ve got three grand kids I’m going to look after once in a while. Who knows what else will come along, stay at home and bake cookies haha.”

Numerous customers exchanged good-byes with Lamont during her final shift on New Years Eve, including Nanaimo’s Ken Dixon.

Lamont hired a 17-year-old Dixon in the mid 1970’s at a Victoria McDonald’s.

It was his first job.

“I knew this was her last day, I walked in, gave her my best and thanked her for everything and she just about cried,” Dixon said.

In the mid 1990’s Lamont re-introduced herself to Dixon while he placed an order at a Nanaimo McDonald’s.

“It was kind of a shock, because I may not have been the best person back in those years. She definitely has a memory,” Dixon said.

Lamont will be sorely missed, Dixon said.

“She’s probably loved and respected more than any employee at McDonald’s.”

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes