Borns Behind the Bar: Randy and Marguerite Serving Those Who Serve

On a Thursday afternoon at the Perley Health Pub,  Randy and Marguerite Born are easy to spot. 

They're behind the bar, smiling, greeting people by name, and moving easily between pouring drinks and pulling up a chair for conversation. The husband-and-wife team has been volunteering together at Perley since 2019.

The two met more than 50 years ago when Randy was a rifle coach, and Marguerite, by her own admission, needed extra lessons.

“She wasn't the best shot,” Randy laughs. “But I didn't mind giving her special training.” 

They've been together ever since.

Both come from proud military backgrounds. Randy joined the reserves at 16 and went on to a 20-year career in communications. Marguerite served for  nearly four decades, beginning as a private before commissioning into roles in human resources and policy, including serving as Program Manager for Canada's Atomic Veterans. 

That shared foundation of service shaped their outlook on life after retirement.

“My mom always taught me to give back,” Randy says. “After my dad passed away when I was young, we received support that made a big difference. Volunteering is my way of paying that forward.”

The couple initially explored other volunteer opportunities in Ottawa but struggled to find the right fit. Then Randy heard the Perley Pub was looking for volunteers. 

“The military had its pubs and messes, and so this felt familiar,” he says. “And I've always wanted to be a bartender.”

Since then, the Borns have been staples at the Pub. Their shifts begin with checking stock and ensuring every fridge is full (as Randy puts it, “It'd be a shame to open a bar without cold beer.”) From there, it's less about drinks and more about conversation. 

Some residents come for a pint, others for a glass of water, but many stay to talk.

“The face time is what makes it special,” he says. “Because we bartend together, one of us can step away to sit and chat with residents. That's the heart of it for us.”

Volunteering as a couple has its advantages. 

“We're a tag team, and we always have been,” says Marguerite. “If one of us can't make it, the other steps in. And when we're together, it gives us more time to connect with the residents and tenants.”

They help out at Trivia Nights twice a month and on Remembrance Day, help Veterans prepare for Perley's Remembrance Day ceremony, adjusting uniforms, pinning medals, and walking alongside them. 

“To see the pride in their faces on November 11 just warms my heart,” says Randy.

For Marguerite, one fond memory was one forged while helping a resident celebrate his 95th birthday during the pandemic.

 “His whole family came, and I took their photos so everyone could be together in the frame. That memory means the world to me. I knew what it would mean to them, too.”

For the Borns, volunteering at Perley is more than a weekly shift. It's a continuation of life shaped by service, a way to honour fellow Veterans, and a chance to build friendships that transcend generations.

“You don't do it for the thanks,” says Marguerite. “But from the moment we walked in the door, we were embraced like family. That's what makes Perley so special.”

Randy agrees. 

“There's no better place in the world to make an impact. You're not just pouring drinks, you're a part of something bigger. And you'll leave feeling richer than when you arrived.”

“There's no better place in the world to make an impact… you're a part of something bigger. And you'll leave feeling richer than when you arrived.” Randy and Marguerite Born, Volunteers