Elaine Horvat (nee MacNeil, retired Material Handling and Logistics) started at Dofasco in 1981, the same year her brother, Ray MacNeil (Cold Roll and Pickling) did. They were generation No. 2 for the MacNeils, as their dad, John MacNeil, started at Dofasco the year Elaine was born. He spent a career as a Crane Operator at the No. 1 Hot Mill before retiring in 1992.

Suffice to say, Elaine and Ray grew up with Dofasco being part of the family. Over their 38-year careers, that’s become even truer.

Elaine retired on June 24. In a packed conference room, her current and former colleagues and family members gathered to congratulate her on a job well done. In the room were her father John and brother Ray, as well as her husband Ivan and two sons, Bobby and Erik Horvat who have all also joined the family business (Ivan in Manufacturing Services, Bobby in the Hot Mill and Erik in Material Handling & Logistics). Her nephew, Alex MacNeil (Ray’s son) was also there, on his lunch break from his first day on the job at Dofasco!

“I was just turning 20 when I started here. So, it’s like you grow up here. You just think you’re going to come here forever,” said Elaine. “But I’ve heard that from other people too. They say, ‘That’s definitely normal to feel that sad and happy all at once.’

“My daughter said you are supposed to be happy when you retire. I am happy. I’m just sad about leaving the people and the company.”

Elaine started as an Energy Data Analyst in Energy Management, which later became part of Utilities. She worked in administration in Utilities before moving to Material Handling & Logistics, where she was the Business Unit Administrator. She also took three years off, from 1992 to 1995, when she had four children under age four (!!) at home.

Elaine says what she will miss the most about Dofasco are the people and the feeling of teamwork. She was on the Lifestyle Resource Group from 1995 and the Dofasco Health & Safety Committee.

“I liked that I could network with people from all over. I don’t know if that happens in other companies, but here you can join a team and you have someone from every department. That’s a big part of what I think is different here,” she said. “All the great people I’ve met and listening to them and having them listen to me, that made getting through anything okay. I think all those really good people working together for a common goal, that’s what I’m going to take with me when I leave.” said Elaine.

This is something she doesn’t want her nephew, Alex, to take for granted. Alex, who is starting his Millwright apprenticeship always dreamed of working at Dofasco. Elaine gave him this advice:

“You are going to work for a company with a rich history whose strength has always been its people. You are now one of those people. Be safe, work hard and enjoy this very important time in your life!”

Alex says he appreciated the advice and is thrilled to be starting his career at Dofasco. “It seems like a very good company and they care a lot about their employees. I’m very excited to start working here,” he said.

Though she is now retired, Elaine can see how the family aspect of Dofasco continues. She remembers growing up how her dad often had coworkers at their home to play cards and they went on family camping trips together.

“In those days, your shift people were your group,” Elaine said. “Both my boys have worked shifts and I see that still happens. I see them doing a lot of things outside of work. It’s like their family. Those are the people they go golfing with on their days off. But we grew up doing that and you keep doing it, it seems normal.”

Elaine says she has always been proud to work at Dofasco. When writing a submission for the Dofasco 100th anniversary time capsule she wrote:

“I have always thought of Dofasco as the “smallest” large company you will ever come across. We are big, yet there is a closeness amongst Dofasco people that makes us special. It’s the nod you get from someone when you see them outside of here…although you may not know their name, you know they work here and you smile. It’s a special camaraderie that is hard to explain. I have experienced this many times over my career here. I have made some of my best friends here. I work with wonderful people who really make it a pleasure to be here. Sure, there have been lots of rough times, but the people you work with get you through them. Our people are our strength. I hope that never changes!”