Cliff Hlewka and his wife Judy by their new food trailer 'Sailor's Fish and Chips.' (file photo/paNOW)

By Paid Partnership

Sailor’s Fish and Chips: An inspiring tale

May 11, 2020 | 9:33 AM

At a time when he should be well into his retirement, Cliff Hlewka is starting a new venture – a food trailer called ‘Sailor’s Fish and Chips.’

Even more inspiring than starting a new business at his age – one he doesn’t wish to disclose – is the reason behind it.

Hlewka’s daughter-in-law needs a new kidney. She’s been in and out of the hospital for years, battling everything from a gull bladder attack to blood poisoning as she waits for word of a transplant.

“She’s been critically ill for the last four years. She was on life support and at one point stayed in the hospital for six months,” Hlewka said.

His son lost his job working in the oilfields and finds himself in a position where he can’t really be away from home anyway because his wife needs his help with dialysis treatment four times a day.

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“He can’t get a job being away from home, so we’re doing this food trailer because I want my son to come out and run it and be close to his wife,” said Hlewka.

Originally, his son was supposed to move from Port Alberni in British Columbia back to Prince Albert this spring, but further health issues for his daughter-in-law prevented that from happening. That has left Hlewka and his wife Judy to tackle the business themselves.

“I didn’t know what other business to go into. I worked in the restaurant industry. I had Country Kitchen at one time and where the cannabis store is at the bottom of the hill – we had a restaurant there. The rest of my life was spent at a couple of confectionary stores. I sold real estate for a while, but I had the radiator shop in Prince Albert that my dad founded in 1943 and I spent, well probably 40 years working at that.”

Hlewka also spent time in the Navy – a part of his life reflected in his new business’ name and logo.

“I served on the Great Lakes on about five different ships for a few years and then I got transferred to the coast and I was aboard the HMCS Ontario for about a year and a half. We saw the Far East and Australia. So, the guy who made the logo put a drawing of the ship behind me and it looks real good.”

The ship pictured in logo is the HMCS Ontario, which Hlewka spent time on while in the Navy. (file photo/paNOW)

Other businesses who have heard about Hlewka’s story have been helping him in generous ways. He said the Floor Store isn’t charging him rent to operate his business on their property just south of town on Hwy 2. Bev’s Fish and Seafood is supplying the fish at a ‘real good price’, a friend from Letterbox Courier has helped with some mechanical work and A-1 Locksmithing didn’t charge him for a job – choosing instead to take payment through a fish and chips meal once Hlewka’s food trailer is open. He also acknowledged Norm Gamble for lending a helping hand.

In addition to the traditional British combo, Sailor’s Fish and Chips will also serve chicken strips and poutine among other fried favourites. It will be open from 11 a.m. and remain open into the evening 7 day a week.

Hlewka said he and his wife plan to operate the food truck until his son is able to join him.

“My son was ready to jump on a plane and come out to give me a hand with it but he would have to hire a nurse for his wife. So, I told him he needs to look after his wife first and then when she gets healthy, sell the house and move out here.”

Even at an age that makes many great-great grandparents, there is nothing Hlewka and his wife wouldn’t do for their son.

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*This content was created by paNOW’s commercial content division.