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Interview with Betty Blair by Eric Damer October 17, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory299
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1940-1959
Length
0:07:48
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of events held at the Church, including her own wedding. She discusses her involvement with the church group Canadian Girls in Training. She also discusses her volunteer years at the Burnaby Hospital and her lif…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair's memories of events held at the Church, including her own wedding. She discusses her involvement with the church group Canadian Girls in Training. She also discusses her volunteer years at the Burnaby Hospital and her life when her children were small.
Date Range
1940-1959
Photo Info
Graduating class at Burnaby South High School; Betty Warburton is third from the right in the front row, [1942 or 1943]. Item no. BV004.82.5.
Length
0:07:48
Names
Canadian Girls in Training
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 17, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 17, 2012. Major theme discussed: life in Burnaby during the war years.
Biographical Notes
Betty Warburton (later Atkinson) (later Blair) was born in 1926 and grew up at three different locations on Frederick Avenue in Burnaby. She went to school in Burnaby; first at Kingsway West for two years, then Nelson Avenue and then Burnaby South High School where she completed senior matriculation. After graduation, Betty worked for a few years in Vancouver before marrying her first husband Don Atkinson and raising their children in Burnaby. Betty (Warburton) (Atkinson) Blair has participated in a range of activities from hiking and Girl Guides to volunteer arthritis care. By the nineteen-sixties she had began to learn pottery and take lessons at Mather House in Burnaby.
Total Tracks
6
Total Length
0:59:03
Interviewee Name
Blair, Betty Warburton Atkinson
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Betty Blair

Less detail

Interview with Hazel Simnett by Eric Damer October 27, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory401
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1942-1975
Length
0:08:03
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementar…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Hazel Simnett's volunteerism and her political activism. Hazel discusses being an organizer for the Burnaby Citizen's Association (BCA) and an active supporter of the libraries in Burnaby. She also discusses what it was like to be a student in the elementary school classroom in the nineteen-thirties. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview.
Date Range
1942-1975
Photo Info
Hazel Simnett standing in a garden, with a small dog in her arms [194-]. Item no. 549-063.
Length
0:08:03
Names
Burnaby Citizens Association
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 27, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Hazel Simnett conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 27, 2012. Leslie Rossa lends her support to the interview. Major theme discussed: political activism in Burnaby.
Biographical Notes
Hazel Simnett was born in Burnaby in 1922 and grew up looking up to her father Frederick Simnett who was very involved in labour and unions. A politically active citizen, Hazel Simnett has supported the Canadian Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the New Democratic Party (NDP). She once ran as a New Democratic Party candidate for Burnaby City Council. In 2006, Hazel Simnett won the Burnaby Local Hero Award for her volunteer work at the New Vista Society where she served as chair for a number of years. She also served as a member of the Burnaby Historical Society and established the Hazel Simnett Endowment with the Burnaby Public Library to bring a collection of books on Canadian history and social issues.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:36:12
Interviewee Name
Simnett, Hazel
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Hazel Simnett

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 5

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory476
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1935-1956
Length
00:04:56
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at s…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s marriage and move to Burnaby in 1953, and settling at the house near Cliff Avenue United Church in 1956. He talks about his first encounters with volunteering at Ratepayer meetings attended by his father, and in dance and drama activities at school.
Date Range
1935-1956
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:04:56
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Education
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Lochdale Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track five of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory477
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:13:27
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his frien…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his friend Mark Stockdale who was second president of the club for 16 years and creator of the rose garden on Burnaby Mountain.
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:13:27
Names
Stockdale, Mark
Cliff Avenue United Football Club
Burnaby Mountain Centennial Rose Garden
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Sports - Soccer
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 7

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory478
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:07:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Commi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s political career and his volunteer work with Cliff Avenue soccer, the Burnaby Mental Health Association, the library board, and the New Vista Society. He talks about his association with Alan Emmott and the founding of the Better Burnaby Committee (BBC), his election to Burnaby Council in 1972 with BVA, and his membership in and work for the federal NDP
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:07:05
Names
Emmott, Alan H
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory479
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:10:17
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributions of Ratepayer groups and volunteers
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:10:17
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Sports - Soccer
Public Services - Municipal Services
Planning
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon

Less detail

1927 Buick Ambulance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1161
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[after 1927]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1927 Buick with a cross sign on top of the windshield and "AMBULANCE" written at the bottom of the windshield and identified as the "third" ambulance (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6.5 cm
Material Details
inscribed in blue ballpoint pen, verso, t., stamped, u.l. "678"
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1927 Buick with a cross sign on top of the windshield and "AMBULANCE" written at the bottom of the windshield and identified as the "third" ambulance (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Subjects
Emergency Services - Ambulance Services
Accession Code
BV992.45.49
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[after 1927]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: "1927 Buick/ 3rd Ambulance"
Images
Less detail

Buick ambulance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1148
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[after 1934]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1934 Buick being used as an ambulance with its side doors open to reveal a gurney placed inside beside the driver's seat (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Material Details
.
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1934 Buick being used as an ambulance with its side doors open to reveal a gurney placed inside beside the driver's seat (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Subjects
Emergency Services - Ambulance Services
Accession Code
BV992.45.39
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[after 1934]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: "Buick Ambulance"
Images
Less detail

Dodge ambulance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1160
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[after 1940]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1940 Dodge station wagon that was used as an ambulance (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1940 Dodge station wagon that was used as an ambulance (the Wagner family operated this ambulance service as well as Dexter Cabs).
Subjects
Emergency Services - Ambulance Services
Accession Code
BV992.45.50
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[after 1940]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: "1940/ Dodge/ Ambulance"
Images
Less detail

Hupmobile ambulance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1146
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[after 1929]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1929 Hupmobile with a medic cross over the windshield and "AMBULANCE" written just above the hood parked at Fred Charles' Garage. Other cars from the late 1920's are parked on either side of the ambulance.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a 1929 Hupmobile with a medic cross over the windshield and "AMBULANCE" written just above the hood parked at Fred Charles' Garage. Other cars from the late 1920's are parked on either side of the ambulance.
Subjects
Emergency Services - Ambulance Services
Accession Code
BV992.45.37
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[after 1929]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in blue pen on verso of photograph reads: "1929 Hupmobile/ 2nd Ambulance"
Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "FRED CHARLES' GARAGE"
Images
Less detail

Plymouth taxi and ambulance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1156
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[after 1936]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man standing with one foot on the running board of a 1936 Plymouth which was used as a Dexter Cab and an ambulance.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man standing with one foot on the running board of a 1936 Plymouth which was used as a Dexter Cab and an ambulance.
Subjects
Emergency Services - Ambulance Services
Accession Code
BV992.45.47
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Date
[after 1936]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
01-Jun-09
Scale
100
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note on verso of photograph reads: "1936 Plymouth/ Taxi + Ambulance"
Images
Less detail

Child on a tricycle

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription9546
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[ca. 1940]
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; hand-coloured ; 16.5 cm x 11.5 cm
Scope and Content
Studio portrait of an unidentified toddler-age child of Chinese descent. The child is wearing a yellow, collared, two-piece pant suit and brown, closed-toe shoes. The child is seated on a red and white tricycle in front of a green riser and sky blue backdrop. The flooring has a gray and white patte…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. fonds
Series
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Co. photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; hand-coloured ; 16.5 cm x 11.5 cm
Material Details
On the front lower right corner of the photograph is an embossed print in Chinese characters "[…]" and "MING NGAD"
Scope and Content
Studio portrait of an unidentified toddler-age child of Chinese descent. The child is wearing a yellow, collared, two-piece pant suit and brown, closed-toe shoes. The child is seated on a red and white tricycle in front of a green riser and sky blue backdrop. The flooring has a gray and white pattern.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Way Sang Yuen Wat Kee & Company
Accession Code
BV017.7.356
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[ca. 1940]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
17-Apr-2018
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Fred Boruck with Boruck and Love children

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20393
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[between 1955 and 1958]
Collection/Fonds
Robert Leonard Love fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fred Boruck with his three children and his nephews outside the home of Margaret and Robert Leonard Love in Lincoln City, Oregon. Children are identified left to right as; Allen Boruck, Paul (or Carl) Boruck, Donald Love, Bob Love and Carl (or Paul) Boruck. Three of the children are w…
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Robert Leonard Love fonds
Series
Robert and Margaret Love family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Fred Boruck with his three children and his nephews outside the home of Margaret and Robert Leonard Love in Lincoln City, Oregon. Children are identified left to right as; Allen Boruck, Paul (or Carl) Boruck, Donald Love, Bob Love and Carl (or Paul) Boruck. Three of the children are wearing Cowichan style sweaters.
Subjects
Persons - Children
Persons - Families
Names
Love, Robert Mathew "Bob"
Love, Donald Leonard
Boruck, Frederick
Boruck, Carl
Boruck, Paul
Boruck, Allen
Accession Code
BV023.24.40
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[between 1955 and 1958]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-12-05
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Annotation on verso of photograph reads: "Lincoln City"
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19194
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two year old Jimmy Chow created for Jimmy's immigration documents when he immigrated to Canada.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 4.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of two year old Jimmy Chow created for Jimmy's immigration documents when he immigrated to Canada.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Accession Code
BV022.21.40
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1950]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Handwritten notes in blue ink are written in Traditional Chinese on verso of photograph. Notes translated to English and transliterated into Mandarin pinyin read: " "Hipman" (Jimmy Chow's Chinese name), age of two and a half"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow in Stanley Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19187
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1958]
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 8.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jimmy Chow standing outside in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Tall trees are visible behind him.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 8.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jimmy Chow standing outside in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Tall trees are visible behind him.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Accession Code
BV022.21.33
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1958]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow on rocking horse

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19193
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
12 Apr. 1954
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow with his father playing on a rocking horse inside a room. A couch and table with a plant on top are visible behind.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 12 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow with his father playing on a rocking horse inside a room. A couch and table with a plant on top are visible behind.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Accession Code
BV022.21.39
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
12 Apr. 1954
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Note in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "To - Jimmy / from - Raymond / April 12/1954."
Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "MAY 1954"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow posing in suit

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19196
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1954]
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph proof of young Jimmy Chow dressed in a suit and posing in the Thams Studio in Saskatoon.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 7 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph proof of young Jimmy Chow dressed in a suit and posing in the Thams Studio in Saskatoon.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Accession Code
BV022.21.42
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1954]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Photographer
Thams Studio
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Text reading "PROOF" punched through surface of photograph
Red ink stamped on verso of photograph reads: "Photo Proofs / these proofs are the props / of Thams Studio and must / be returned. You under- / stand of course, that these are merely rough / proofs. At best they are merely rough / proofs. At best they only hint at te beauty of the finished photographs....
Notes in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "36045 / 12"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow with his cousins

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19185
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1950]
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow (left) with his two young cousins seated together on a circular riser in the photograph studio of photographer Chen Kwong in Quebec City.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow (left) with his two young cousins seated together on a circular riser in the photograph studio of photographer Chen Kwong in Quebec City.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Accession Code
BV022.21.31
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
May be restricted by third party rights
Date
[1950]
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Photographer
Kwong, Chen
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Embossment on lower edge of photograph reads: "CHEN KWONG"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow with his father

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19190
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
24 Aug. 1954
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow outside of a cafe in Asquith, Saskatchewan.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow with his father, Robin Chung Dip Chow outside of a cafe in Asquith, Saskatchewan.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Chow, Robin Chung Dip
Accession Code
BV022.21.36
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
24 Aug. 1954
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "AUG / 24 /1954"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

Hipman "Jimmy" Chow with his father

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19191
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
24 Aug. 1954
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow standing outside of a cafe in Asquith, Saskatchewan. His father, Robin Chung Dip Chow is looking through the door of the cafe.
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Collection/Fonds
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow and Donna Polos fonds
Series
Jimmy Chow family photographs series
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of young Jimmy Chow standing outside of a cafe in Asquith, Saskatchewan. His father, Robin Chung Dip Chow is looking through the door of the cafe.
Subjects
Persons - Chinese Canadians
Persons - Children
Names
Chow, Hipman "Jimmy"
Chow, Robin Chung Dip
Accession Code
BV022.21.37
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
24 Aug. 1954
Media Type
Photograph
Scan Resolution
600
Scan Date
2023-03-03
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Stamp in black ink on verso of photograph reads: "AUG / 24 /1954"
Hipman "Jimmy" Chow's name in Cantonese is Chow Hipman and in Mandarin is Zhou Xiamin.
Images
Less detail

100 records – page 1 of 5.