To support his family. He did get to enjoy gardening after he retired, yet had to wear a head net and heavy clothes, as he was allergic to the black flies. They were always a big pain to the rest of us, but he had an adverse reaction to them so as he needed extra protection.
To this very day, I think that this was his way of showing the rest of us that we would winni out, and I think that he was right!
Just try to walk a smile in his shoes!