We cite an excerpt of an article written by Brent Leigh regarding the cabin's past resident and our friend.   The article initially tells of Joe's history continuing to say:

 

"After WWII, Joe was eager to find peace. He bought a ketch and set sail north of Vancouver, British Columbia. One of his stops on the island-dotted coast line was Thormanby Island. It is actually two islands - a southern one of igneous rock shaped like a boot and a northern one of white sandstone. They sit like strangely reconciled partners, and where the sandstone embraces the rock headland, form a long sweeping white beach called Buccaneer Bay. Joe decided at 68 years of age, that this small mira­cle and its peaceful summer community would be his first home and family. This com­munity adopted Joe and successfully petitioned the Canadian government to grant him Canadian citizenship in his rightful name, Joseph Johannas Leemans.

 

Joe's first summer as caretaker at Buccaneer Bay was my first summer there too. The year was 1954. By the time I could pronounce his name, he was by right of age an old man, but quick wit, good humor and health, and an amazing recollection of stories kept him from ever seeming old. As children, we sat for hours while Joe fed us "salty dips," indirectly teaching us the art of listening.

 

His joy of and from children is simply poetic. With the skill of a Quitillian Rhetorician he teases the theme of his stories until the children break through to the hidden meaning. He reaches into his wool pants and pulls out an ancient plastic bag. He takes a tobacco leaf from it, pinches it between his great flat thumb and forefinger, and pulls the stem so that the leafy substance crinkles into the youngsters hands. This is the "chew," and he always acts surprised when the child declines.

 

Joe is the soul of an island, a fresh breeze that fills your spirits sails. I often wonder how the world rewards men of such  substance."

 

Brent R. Leigh

Nagles rented  the cabin prior to purchasing their own site in 1997.  The MacDonalds will enjoy  the fantastic view.