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Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory546

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1950-1990

Length: 00:09:22

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby

Date Range: 1950-1990

Photo Info: Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712

Length: 00:09:22

Names: Lawson, Doreen A.; Emmott, Alan H; Swangard Stadium

Subjects: Public Services - Municipal Services; Planning; Industries; Geographic Features - Parks; Buildings - Recreational

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Severin "Sev" Morin, conducted by Rod Fowler. Sev Morin 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 mainly about Sev Morin’s banquet hall, restaurant and night club business on Kingsway, originally named the “Gai Paree Supper Club” (1947-1976) and later “Severin’s” (1976-1985) and “Diego’s” (1985-1994), its function as a Burnaby landmark, and the entertainment and political people he met through his business. He also describes his many volunteer activities in Burnaby, including member of the SFU Senate, Rotary Club, Variety Club and Telethon, fund raising for Burnaby Hospital, and tourism related groups, and his political work for the federal Liberal party. He talks about his parents’ origins, the lives of his brothers Rudy and Rene, and the family’s involvement in establishing the “Gai Paree”. He also shares his views about the business and cultural development of Burnaby. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Severin “Sev” Rene Morin was born September 21, 1927, in Bonneville, Alberta, to Rene Pierre Morin (1878-1963) and Anne Marie (nee Lachiver) Morin (1886-1956). Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Morin and their son Rene Francois (1905-1954) immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, from France in 1913, where Rene Pierre Morin worked for the C.N.R. and a second son Adolphe “Rudy” Ferdinand (1922-1969) was born, followed by their third son Severin. In 1943, after R.P. Morin retired, the family moved to Burnaby to a house on Sperling Avenue. Sometime earlier the two older Morin brothers found work in Trail at the smelter and developed musical careers. In 1946/47 the Morin family purchased property on Kingsway and built a banquet hall, the “Gai Paree Supper Club”. Sev and Rudy Morin managed the club and Rene F. Morin moved to Burnaby to join them with his band. The supper club, with its live music and dance floor, became a popular meeting place and wedding venue, eventually expanding into a restaurant and nightclub in the 1970s. The “Gai Paree” was renamed “Severin’s” in 1976 and “Diego’s” in 1985, closing finally in 1994. Sev Morin’s business life included three record stores which he owned with his friend Jack Cullen. Through these businesses Sev Morin was well known in the entertainment and hospitality industry. He and his restaurant also hosted political and social events that made the restaurant a community landmark. Sev Morin contributed many volunteer hours to community and charitable organizations, including an appointment to the SFU Senate, fundraising for the Burnaby Hospital, Director of the Variety Club and Rotary Club, and consultant for a variety of tourism related ventures. He also was active in the federal Liberal Party. Sev Morin and his wife Pauline married in 1950 and had three children. Sev Morin died at age 86 on March 28, 2014.

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

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

Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track ten of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%2010.mp3

Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55648

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley holding a rusty and damaged waterline pipe. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-042

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Reeve Charles MacSorley holding a rusty and damaged waterline pipe. A caption on the bottom of the photograph reads: "Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951."

Subjects: Public Services - Utilities; Officials - Mayors and Reeves

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Titled based on caption; Note on verso reads: "Sat. / 1951"

Images

Condition of water pipe in Burnaby 1951, 1951 thumbnail

Reeve and Mrs. Beamish with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55619

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Beamish and his wife (left) walking with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the stage set up at Burnaby Municipal Hall for the 1951 Royal Visit. Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police are standing on either side of the steps to the stage.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 20.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-013

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Beamish and his wife (left) walking with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the stage set up at Burnaby Municipal Hall for the 1951 Royal Visit. Two Royal Canadian Mounted Police are standing on either side of the steps to the stage.

Subjects: Events - Royal Visits; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Public Services - Policing; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: Elizabeth II Queen of Great Britain, 1926-2022; Philip, Prince, consort of Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, 1921-; Beamish, William Randolph "Ran"

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on caption; Caption on recto reads: "Reeve Beamish & Mrs B. Queen & Philip Burnaby 1951"; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Reeve and Mrs. Beamish with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1951 thumbnail

School Street Patrol

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55621

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley sitting at a table holding a pen and reading a poster while two unidentified men (one in police uniform) stand behind him. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "School Street Patrol Burnaby."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1954]

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-015

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of Reeve Charles MacSorley sitting at a table holding a pen and reading a poster while two unidentified men (one in police uniform) stand behind him. A caption written on the bottom of the photograph reads: "School Street Patrol Burnaby."

Subjects: Public Services - Policing; Officials - Mayors and Reeves; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: MacSorley, Charles W.

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Croton Studio Limited

Notes: Title based on caption; Photographer's stamp on verso

Images

Theodore Olaf Brue

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1597

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1947 and 1950] (date of original)

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 18 x 13 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Theodore Olaf Brue in his British Columbia Provincial Police uniform (regimental number 873). From 1947 to 1954, Theodore Brue was in charge of the Terrace, British Columbia detachment. In 1950, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police took over the provincial police forces, he became a…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 18 x 13 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Theodore Olaf Brue in his British Columbia Provincial Police uniform (regimental number 873). From 1947 to 1954, Theodore Brue was in charge of the Terrace, British Columbia detachment. In 1950, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police took over the provincial police forces, he became a member of the RCMP.

Subjects: Public Services - Policing; Clothing - Uniforms

Names: Brue, Theodore Olaf; British Columbia Provincial Police

Accession Code: BV001.25.72

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [between 1947 and 1950] (date of original)

Media Type: Photograph

Related Material: For a laser copy of the same photographic image, see BV004.23.45

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Theodore Olaf Brue, [between 1947 and 1950] (date of original) thumbnail

Burnaby Mountain

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38210

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.2 x 5.1 cm print on contact sheet 20.5 x 26.8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-797

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of Centennial Park, Burnaby Mountain and Burrard Inlet looking east.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Geographic Features - Inlets; Geographic Features - Mountains; Geographic Features - Parks

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; 1 b&w copy negative accompanying

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Mountain Area

Images

Burnaby Mountain, [between 1958 and 1965] (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Arthur W. Mawbey

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription46259

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1959 and 1964]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 13.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of World War I veteran Arthur W. Mawbey sitting in front of the Union Jack in uniform during a Remembrance Day observance ceremony. He is smoking a pipe, with one hand resting on his cane, and the other hand holding a white wooden cross with maple leaf resting on it.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1959 and 1964]

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 25.5 x 13.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1147

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2003-02

Scope and Content: Photograph of World War I veteran Arthur W. Mawbey sitting in front of the Union Jack in uniform during a Remembrance Day observance ceremony. He is smoking a pipe, with one hand resting on his cane, and the other hand holding a white wooden cross with maple leaf resting on it.

Subjects: Persons - Veterans; Wars - World War, 1914-1918; Symbols - Flags; Clothing - Military Uniforms

Names: Mawbey, Arthur W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Arthur W. Mawbey, [between 1959 and 1964] thumbnail

Frank Battersby with his family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1825

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [after 1942]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 24 x 19 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frank Battersby sitting with his wife and baby (in the style of a formal studio portrait). Frank Battersby is wearing a military uniform with patches on the shoulders that read, "CANADIAN SCOTTISH". He is holding his wife by the waist and his baby is sitting on his wife's lap.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 24 x 19 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frank Battersby sitting with his wife and baby (in the style of a formal studio portrait). Frank Battersby is wearing a military uniform with patches on the shoulders that read, "CANADIAN SCOTTISH". He is holding his wife by the waist and his baby is sitting on his wife's lap.

Subjects: Clothing - Military Uniforms

Names: Battersby, Frank

Accession Code: BV004.104.114

Access Restriction: Restricted access

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [after 1942]

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 09-Jun-09

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Note in pencil on verso of photograph reads: "25911"

Images

Frank Battersby with his family, [after 1942] thumbnail

Waiting for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55644

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of approximately twenty-four men and women dressed in uniform, standing on the steps of the Municipal Hall. Many of the people are holding flags. The photograph was taken in 1951 during the royal visit of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Charles MacSorley fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 20.5 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 486-038

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2005-14

Scope and Content: Photograph of approximately twenty-four men and women dressed in uniform, standing on the steps of the Municipal Hall. Many of the people are holding flags. The photograph was taken in 1951 during the royal visit of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Subjects: Events - Royal Visits; Clothing - Military Uniforms; Occupations - Nurses; Symbols - Flags

Names: Burnaby City Hall

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Allan Studios

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Photographer's stamp on verso

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 7282 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Stride Avenue Area

Images

Waiting for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1951 thumbnail

Interview with Tony Fabian by Eric Damer October 10, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory324

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1994

Length: 0:07:32

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's understanding of how neighbourhood parks came about during the Depression. He also discusses the development of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Tony Fabian's understanding of how neighbourhood parks came about during the Depression. He also discusses the development of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.

Date Range: 1930-1994

Photo Info: Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026.

Length: 0:07:32

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 10, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Tony Fabian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 10, 2012. Major theme discussed: environmental conservation practices in Burnaby.

Biographical Notes: Tony Fabian was born and raised in rural Saskatchewan in 1934. He and his wife moved to Burnaby in 1957, where he worked for the telephone company and raised a family. Tony has been an advocate for preservation of parklands and watercourses, helping to protect Burnaby and Deer Lake Parks and to create the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore and Barnet Marine Parks in the early nineteen-seventies, serving as a member of Burnaby’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Tony Fabian was presented with the 2008 City of Burnaby Environment Award for Community Stewardship.

Total Tracks: 5

Total Length: 0:47:48

Interviewee Name: Fabian, Tony

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

Tony Fabian relaxing at a picnic table, [1970]. Item no. 549-026. thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Tony Fabian

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS171-009/MSS171-009_Track_3.mp3

In the Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription52969

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of kindergartners sitting and standing in rows at the park. They are all wearing white short-sleeve tops. One of them is holding what is believed to be a small Frisbee in his hands. An adult is standing off to the side just behind the group, supervising.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957 or 1958]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 5.5 x 8 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 246-009

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a group of kindergartners sitting and standing in rows at the park. They are all wearing white short-sleeve tops. One of them is holding what is believed to be a small Frisbee in his hands. An adult is standing off to the side just behind the group, supervising.

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Kindergartners at Stanley Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription53029

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten on a field trip to Stanley Park. The kindergartners are all sitting on the grass eating ice cream.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1957]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 246-036

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten on a field trip to Stanley Park. The kindergartners are all sitting on the grass eating ice cream.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Picnics; Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Kindergartners at Stanley Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription53034

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm, mounted on heavy-weight paper 28.5 x 20 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten on a field trip to Stanley Park. The kindergartners are all sitting on the grass in the shade, eating ice cream.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1957 and 1968]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Tinkerbell Kindergarten subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 7.5 cm, mounted on heavy-weight paper 28.5 x 20 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 246-041

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1990-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten on a field trip to Stanley Park. The kindergartners are all sitting on the grass in the shade, eating ice cream.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Picnics; Geographic Features - Parks

Names: Tinkerbell Cooperative Kindergarten

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Kindergartners at Stanley Park, [between 1957 and 1968] thumbnail

Beamish, Ludlow W. Dr. - Burnaby Politics

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58832

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dr. Ludlow W. Beamish, who served on the Burnaby Family Court Committee, and an unidentified man.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1957

Collection/Fonds: Columbian Newspaper collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 9.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 480-1293

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2009-01

Scope and Content: Photograph of Dr. Ludlow W. Beamish, who served on the Burnaby Family Court Committee, and an unidentified man.

Subjects: Public Services - Municipal Services

Names: Beamish, Dr. Ludlow W.

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Beamish, Ludlow W. Dr. - Burnaby Politics, 1957 thumbnail

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…

1 image 1 audio

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

Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_8.mp3

Interview with Les Francis by Eric Damer October 16, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory329

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1930-1979

Length: 0:10:35

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.

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Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Les Francis's years of working with the municipality of Burnaby, with a focus on waterworks. Les describes the influence of industry and population on the water system as well as the history of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Water Board.

Date Range: 1930-1979

Photo Info: Les Francis (far right) receiving a Burnaby Long Service Award at the Gai Paree Supper Club, 1964. Item no. 485-070.

Length: 0:10:35

Subjects: Occupations - Civic Workers; Public Services - Public Works

Interviewer: Damer, Eric

Interview Date: October 16, 2012

Scope and Content: Recording is an interview with Les Francis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 16, 2012. Major theme discussed: the role of the municipal worker in the nineteen-thirties through the war years.

Biographical Notes: Les Francis was born in London, England, in 1914 and came with his family to Burnaby in 1919. Except for a few years away on special projects, Les has lived in Burnaby ever since. After attending Kingsway West Elementary and Burnaby South High Schools, Les joined the municipal work force. He first worked as a clerk in 1930 and later joined the Engineering Department where he spent his career maintaining and extending the municipal water system. Les Francis retired in 1979 as the City of Burnaby's Work's Superintendent.

Total Tracks: 4

Total Length: 0:43:18

Interviewee Name: Francis, Les

Interview Location: Interviewee's residence

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.