Fire on water Michael Dinn's relay segment was unorthodox, but just one highlight in what's been an amazing, challenging year LUKE BARRY The Telegram

Donna O'Grady of St. John's carries the Olympic flame at the Cape Spear National Historic Site on early Friday morning. - Photo by Luke Barry

The 15th day of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Torch Relay will stand as one of the defining moments of 2009 for Petty Harbour's Michael Dinn.

Just as the early morning November sun was taking shape over the horizon, a traditional yellow and green Newfoundland dory made its way into the small fishing village with Dinn at the helm, toting the Olympic Games' symbol of peace, brotherhood and friendship.

And while carrying the torch on dry land would have been just as special, the fashion in which he was involved in Friday morning's event only added to the emotion considering it was just over a year ago that the 35-year-old Dinn was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Friday was certainly one of the brighter days in recent months for Dinn, his friends and family.

"It was something to look forward to, but the little guy, Joel ... he keeps me going," he said, referring to his first child, born April 2 of this year.

Nine days prior to Joel's birth, Dinn had 70 per cent of his liver removed.

Dinn, a well-known local hockey referee, couldn't help but show some of his emotions after coming ashore, especially with so many folks from Petty Harbour on hand to watch his portion of the relay and show their support.

But it was his wife, Mandy, who drove home the true impact of the event.

"It's the end of a pretty hard year for him, but we're really proud of him," she said. "Everyone's touched that they (the local committee headed by Noreen Costello which submitted Dinn's name to be a torchbearer) wanted him to do it."

Dinn was over 150 torchbearers on Day 3 of the relay in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Earlier in the morning, the first Olympic flame of the day was passed from Sherry White of St. John's to Donna O'Grady on the rocky shores of Cape Spear.

O'Grady, who is also from the capital city, was all smiles, and lucky to be there herself. Her position was originally offered to a colleague of hers at Petro Canada, but that person was unable to carry the torch.

"It's just an amazing experience to be a part of this in your own province," O'Grady said. "I don't know if I've ever felt more special other than the day that my daughter was born."

Following the ceremonies at Cape Spear and Petty Harbour, the fiery baton made its way through Goulds, Conception Bay South, and Manuels, into Chamberlains, Topsail, and Paradise, and then on to Mount Pearl.

While in Mount Pearl, the rolling caravan made its way past hundreds of residents and school children let out of classes to catch a glimpse of history passing by.

One of the onlookers was Stephanie Tee, a recent nursing graduate of Memorial University.

"My brother (Mario Tee) is working with the VANOC group organizing this cross-country relay, so I had to come and see him while it was in town," she said.

After starting out in Athens, the Olympic flame will continue across the country en route to taking centre stage at the Winter Games opening ceremonies Feb. 12.

Dinn and his family will no doubt be beaming when they take in that ceremony, knowing he was one of the 12,000 Canadians privileged with the honour of being an Olympic torchbearer.

Seeing how the opportunity doesn't come along every year - ore even decade - Dinn rationalized the chance to purchase he extinguished torch he carried (it's being offered for $350 to each torchbearer) was "something you can't pass up."

The Dinn family plans on displaying the memento on its mantelpiece for the time being, a proper place with the holiday season knocking on the door.

d.luke.barry@gmail.com