Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Interview with Lizette Pappas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20334

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (137 min., 12 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (137 min., 12 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lizette Pappas conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 7, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:41:04 Lizette provides details on her family background in Greece, recalls her early childhood in Naxos, her families’ migrati…

1 document 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 3 sound recordings (wav) (137 min., 12 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (137 min., 12 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Lizette Pappas Location of Interview: Fraser Wilson Room, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: November 7, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 3 Total Length of all Tracks: 02:17:12 Digital master recordings (wav) were converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Lizette Pappas conducted by Burnaby Village Museum researcher James Binks on November 7, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:41:04 Lizette provides details on her family background in Greece, recalls her early childhood in Naxos, her families’ migration to Canada and their experiences as new immigrants living in Penticton. Lizette shares information about her husband including his Greek origins, his migration story, and how they met as well as information about their careers and raising their family in Burnaby. 41:05 – 01:10:52 Lizette talks about living in Penticton and helping out in the family restaurant business. Lizette describes some of the challenges that they faced and describes some of the foods that they served and reflects on what it means to be a Greek immigrant in British Columbia. 01:10:53– 01:36:32 Lizette talks about her life in Burnaby, her involvement with the Ladies Philoptochos Society, a back to your roots group, the Hellenic Community, the importance of sharing Greek culture, traditions and food with the younger generation and her experiences celebrating Greek culture while attending university. 01:36:33 – 01:54:39 Lizette talks more about her families’ life in Penticton as Greek immigrants, their experiences and accomplishments, her experiences visiting Greece after immigrating to Canada and her husbands’ experiences living in Greece. 01:54:40 – 02:03:59 Lizette reflects on the impacts of COVID in the restaurant industry, community building and urban development in Burnaby and makes comparisons to communities in Greece. 02:04:00 – 02:17:14 Talks about the origin of her name, shares the story of how her name evolved over time after she immigrated to Canada and shares examples of some of the traditional family names that have been passed down through generations.

History: Interviewee biography: Lizette Pappas was born in Apeiranthos on the island of Naxos in Greece in 1948 to parents Florio Vassilakakis and Paraskevi Vassilakis. In 1956, Lizette immigrated to Canada with her parents and her two older brothers. With the help of Lizette’s uncle, her family settled in Penticton and in 1958, Lizette’s younger sister was born. Lizette’s birth name was Elisa Vassilakakis but when she immigrated to Canada she was given the first name “Alice” on her immigration documents. Soon after, when she was enrolled in elementary school, her aunt suggested that she use the name “Lizette” instead of “Alice” and Lizette became the first name she’s continued to use since. While living in Penticton, Lizette’s parents first worked doing manual labour in the fruit industry before buying their own restaurant in 1968. Lizette obtained her teaching degree from the University of British Columbia. In 1972, Lizette met her future husband Basile Pappas and they were married in 1975. After marrying, Lizette and her husband settled in the Brentwood area of Burnaby and began raising their two children. Lizette, her husband and children moved back to Penticton in late 1979 to join her family running two restaurants and a nightclub. After a number of years, Lizette, her husband and two children returned to their home in the Brentwood area of Burnaby. Lizette has worked as a teacher with the Vancouver School Board and has been involved with various organizations including “Back to our Roots” and “Philoptochos Ladies Society”. Interviewer biography: James Binks has lived in the Lower Mainland since 2009 after relocating from Ontario. James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia, where he conducted researched on heritage, environment, and globalization in India, Nepal, and Italy. At Burnaby Village Museum, James contributed to the exhibit “Truths Not Often Told: Being South Asian in Burnaby”.

Creator: Burnaby Village Museum

Subjects: Religions; Organizations - Women's Societies and Clubs; Persons - Greek Canadians; Migration; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Pappas, Elisa Alice "Lizette" Vassilakakis; Vassilakakis, Florio; Vassilakis, Paraskevi; Love, John Agapitos; Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society; Hellenic Community of Vancouver

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.20

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcript available

Documents

2023_0016_0020_005

Audio Tracks

Interview with Lizette Pappas, [1948-2023] (interview content), interviewed 7 Nov. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0020_004.mp3

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory539

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1944-1985

Length: 00:03:51

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the lives of the three Morin brothers, Rene, Rudy and Sev; how the “Gai Paree” dance and banquet hall was started by the Morin family; and the reason for the later name changes to “Severin’s” and “Diego’s”

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the lives of the three Morin brothers, Rene, Rudy and Sev; how the “Gai Paree” dance and banquet hall was started by the Morin family; and the reason for the later name changes to “Severin’s” and “Diego’s”

Date Range: 1944-1985

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: 00:03:51

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants; Occupations - Entrepreneurs

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 three of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%203.mp3

Johnston family at a Burnaby Cafe

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription51396

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1964

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frances Johnston and her two children, Sean and Wendy, seated at a booth in an unidentified Burnaby diner.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1964

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 483-031

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2008-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of Frances Johnston and her two children, Sean and Wendy, seated at a booth in an unidentified Burnaby diner.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Johnston, Frances; Johnston, Dr. Sean; Johnston, Dr. Wendy

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Johnston, Harold H.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Johnston family at a Burnaby Cafe, 1964 thumbnail

Jubilee Dry Goods Store

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35767

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gwen Pitman, store manager, in front of Jubilee Dry Goods. The store was founded by Ernest Pitman, her father, and closed in 1971. It was located at 6730 Jubilee Avenue, later the site of Bonsor Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965 (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Pioneer Tales subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.7 x 17.8 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 204-625

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of Gwen Pitman, store manager, in front of Jubilee Dry Goods. The store was founded by Ernest Pitman, her father, and closed in 1971. It was located at 6730 Jubilee Avenue, later the site of Bonsor Park.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Jubilee Dry Goods; Pitman, Gwendolyn "Gwen"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Jubilee Avenue

Street Address: 6730 Jubilee Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Marlborough Area

Images

Jubilee Dry Goods Store, 1965 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Lee family

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19074

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1967

Collection/Fonds: Larry Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lee family standing together inside the Dragon Inn restaurant. Kathy Lee is holding baby Angela Lee and standing next to husband, Larry Lee. Other Lee children are standing in front and identified from left to right: Darlene, Wayne, Vivian, John, Ken, Vera.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Larry Lee family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. ; 9 x 9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Lee family standing together inside the Dragon Inn restaurant. Kathy Lee is holding baby Angela Lee and standing next to husband, Larry Lee. Other Lee children are standing in front and identified from left to right: Darlene, Wayne, Vivian, John, Ken, Vera.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Persons - Chinese Canadians; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Lee, Git Nung "Kathy"; Lee, Larry; Lee, Wayne; Lee, Angela; Lee, John; Lee, Vivian; Lee, Ken; Dragon Inn

Accession Code: BV022.19.3

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1967

Media Type: Photograph

Scan Resolution: 600

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Middlegate Bakery

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19121

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: Dec. 1964

Collection/Fonds: Cornelius and Lucy Hiemstra family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Middlegate Bakery with view of front entrance and display window filled with baked goods. The Middlegate Bakery is located at 7155 Kingsway in the Middlegate Shopping Centre. The pavement in the parking lot outside of the front entrance is covered with snow.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Cornelius and Lucy Hiemstra family fonds

Description Level: Item

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

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Middlegate Bakery with view of front entrance and display window filled with baked goods. The Middlegate Bakery is located at 7155 Kingsway in the Middlegate Shopping Centre. The pavement in the parking lot outside of the front entrance is covered with snow.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Bakeries

Names: Middlegate Bakery; Middlegate Shopping Centre

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Accession Code: BV022.15.1

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: Dec. 1964

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Printed date on bottom recto of photograph reads: "DEC_64"

Images

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory245

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1904-1975

Length: 0:09:45

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) M…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock McMurray's opinion of shopping at a store in the present day. He mentions George Green's book "History of Burnaby", the Royal Oak Hotel and the development of Alta Vista. As well, Murdock mentions his father Robert William McMurray. Lillian (Wray) McMurray is heard helping her husband with these descriptions.

Date Range: 1904-1975

Photo Info: Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004

Length: 0:09:45

Names: McMurray, R.W.; Royal Oak Hotel

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Interviewer: McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”

Interview Date: November 17, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.

Biographical Notes: Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.

Total Tracks: 7

Total Length: 0:58:55

Interviewee Name: McMurray, Lillian Wray; McMurray, Murdoch

Interviewer Bio: Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004 thumbnail

Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_3.mp3

Murdock and Lillian McMurray interview November 17, 1975 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory246

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1916-1975

Length: 0:09:05

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock and Lillian McMurray's trip back to Murdock's mother's hometown in in Northern Scotland. The discussion starts up again on the topic of Lillian (Wray) McMurray's father, Edward Wray's business, the Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office, then again with…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the recording pertains to Murdock and Lillian McMurray's trip back to Murdock's mother's hometown in in Northern Scotland. The discussion starts up again on the topic of Lillian (Wray) McMurray's father, Edward Wray's business, the Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office, then again with a description of the cordwood business Murdock had with Emerson Doran.

Date Range: 1916-1975

Photo Info: Emerson Doran (left) and Murdoch McMurray, 1917. Item no. 229-004

Length: 0:09:05

Names: Wray, Edward

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial

Interviewer: McGeachie, Doreen “Pixie”

Interview Date: November 17, 1975

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Murdock McMurray and his wife Lillian (Wray) McMurray conducted by Pixie McGeachie on November 17, 1975. Major themes discussed are: Burnaby's development, the Wray Shoe store and Murdock McMurray's cordwood delivery business.

Biographical Notes: Murdock McMurray was born in Vancouver in 1892 to Wilhelmina May and Robert William McMurray. Other children in the family included older siblings John “Jack” and Margaret Lillian, younger siblings Minnie May born May 4, 1895 and Hampton born June 8, 1902. Murdock’s father Robert worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) but retired shortly after moving his family to Burnaby in 1906. He bought six acres of land of what had been previously the Gilley Ranch, the base of operations for Gilley Bros. Ltd. at 2519 Windsor Street (later renumbered and renamed to the 6400 block Imperial Street). Murdock McMurray quit school early to apprentice as a printer. By sixteen he had left the trade and gone into partnership with his older brother Jack. With a team of horses, harness and a wagon, the brothers helped to macadamize roads, haul building supplies for new homes, deliver cord wood for heating, clear land and excavate basements. When Jack McMurray set off to serve overseas during World War I as a driver in the engineer corps, Murdock bought his team of horses and continued working, mainly in the Deer Lake district. In 1916 Murdoch McMurray partnered with Emerson Doran, nephew of the owner of Doran's Mill to buy Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard. As everything was geared towards the war effort, Murdock and Emerson soon ran out of work and had to sell the business. Murdock sold off his horses and equipment and went to work at the ship yard on Pitt River. By 1919 Jack McMurray had returned home from overseas and was working as a fireman at the Shull Lumber and Shingle Mill on the Fraser River. In 1921, he and Murdock teamed up with Emerson Doran and repurchased the Edmonds Coal and Wood fuel yard which they ran together until 1947. Murdock McMurray married Lillian Wray on September 17, 1925. Lillian was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wray, who came to settle in the Jubilee area of Burnaby in 1919. The family lived on Dow Road and Edward Wray operated Jubilee Shoe Store and Post Office. He was known throughout the district as "Wray - The Shoe Man." Mrs. Wray died in 1957 at the age of eight-six and Edward Wray died January 14, 1967 at age of ninety-three. Murdock and Lillian lived at Inverness Street (now Arcola) and raised three children together, Bob, Jack and Bessie. Murdock McMurray died in New Westminster on April 28, 1985 at the age of ninety-two. Lillian Ethel (Wray) McMurray died in Burnaby on February 28, 1986 at the age of eighty-seven.

Total Tracks: 7

Total Length: 0:58:55

Interviewee Name: McMurray, Lillian Wray; McMurray, Murdoch

Interviewer Bio: Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie was a resident of Burnaby for over sixty years. Pixie married John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie and raised their children Kathi (Dunlop) and David McGeachie in the house the couple built themselves in 1947. Pixie served as the editor for the Burnaby Examiner newspaper and wrote a column entitled "Burnaby History" for The News. In 1974 she authored her first book titled "Bygones of Burnaby" which was one of the first to develop anecdotal stories about pioneer life in Burnaby. She authored "Burnaby - A Proud Century" in 1992 and in 2002 she wrote a biography of the city's namesake in the book "Land of Promise: Robert Burnaby's letters from Colonial B.C." She also contributed many hours of volunteering; helping to establish Burnaby's first museum Heritage Village in 1971, serving as President of the Burnaby Historical Society from 1991-1993. She served a six year term on Burnaby's Heritage Commission leading the charge to preserve many historic sites throughout the city, and during her twenty years as the Community Archives volunteer archivist for the historical society, she succeeded in gathering thousands of rare and valuable historic photographs and documents which now forms the core of the photograph collection on the Heritage Burnaby website (as these items were donated by the Society to the City Archives in 2007). The City of Burnaby awarded Pixie McGeachie the Kushiro Cup as Citizen of the year in 2002. In 2006 she received a Heritage BC project award for leading the Friends of Interurban 1223 project, and in 2008 Heritage BC recognised her again by presenting her with the Ruby Nobb Award. John Aloysius "Jack" McGeachie died October 12, 1981 at the age of sixty-seven. Doreen "Pixie" (Johnson) McGeachie died August 14, 2010 at the age of eighty-nine. On 24 September, 2011, the City of Burnaby dedicated the reading at the City Archives in honour of Pixie and formally named it the Pixie McGeachie Reading Room in recognition of her years of service to the community.

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Oral history subseries

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.

Images

Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Lillian and Murdock McMurray

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS137-010/MSS137-010_Track_4.mp3

Nelson Bungalow Court

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription88412

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 196-]

Collection/Fonds: Krewenchuk family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Nelson Bungalow Court (also known as The Nelson Motel and The Nelson Auto Court) located at 6550 Nelson Avenue. The motel was owned and operated by Michael and Mary Krewenchuk between 1957 to 1967. The building in the photo was the family home and office for the motel on one acre …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1958 and 196-]

Collection/Fonds: Krewenchuk family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 11.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 582-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2015-05

Scope and Content: Photograph of the Nelson Bungalow Court (also known as The Nelson Motel and The Nelson Auto Court) located at 6550 Nelson Avenue. The motel was owned and operated by Michael and Mary Krewenchuk between 1957 to 1967. The building in the photo was the family home and office for the motel on one acre of land with eight cabins and seven trailors for lease. Lobely Park was located behind the house on adjacent property. The house is surrounded by trees including a monkey puzzle tree standing in front near a lampost with a totem pole design.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Hotels and Motels

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Street Address: 6550 Nelson Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Nelson Bungalow Court, [between 1958 and 196-] thumbnail

Orchard Shopping Centre

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34634

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 20.4 cm

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Old Orchard Shopping Centre on Kingsway.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 20.4 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 069-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Aerial photograph of the Old Orchard Shopping Centre on Kingsway.

Subjects: Aerial Photographs; Buildings - Commercial - Malls

Names: Old Orchard Shopping Centre

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 4469 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Orchard Shopping Centre, [196-] thumbnail

Painter working on a mural

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34628

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 4.5 x 4.6 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a painter working on a mural beside an store as part of the Burnaby Historical Society's Paint-In on Hastings Street. The store's sign reads in part: "[Clothing] / Tools / Rubber / U.S. & Can. Army, Navy, Air Force."

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative ; 4.5 x 4.6 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-032

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a painter working on a mural beside an store as part of the Burnaby Historical Society's Paint-In on Hastings Street. The store's sign reads in part: "[Clothing] / Tools / Rubber / U.S. & Can. Army, Navy, Air Force."

Subjects: Arts - Paintings; Occupations - Artists; Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Burnaby Historical Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Images

Painter working on a mural, July 15, 1966 thumbnail

Paulette's Beauty Salon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97615

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative

Scope and Content: Photograph of Paulette's Beauty Salon located at 3945 East Hastings Street in North Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Municipal record subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w negative

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 366-030

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1998-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Paulette's Beauty Salon located at 3945 East Hastings Street in North Burnaby.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Paulettes Beauty Salon

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on content of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Paulette's Beauty Salon, [196-] thumbnail

Sambo's Pancake House

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35138

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.9 x 14.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of the exterior and parking lot of Sambo's Pancake House, Kingsway. Printed on the top of the front of the postcard is "Sambo's Pancake House," and a sign on the building read's "Sambo's." Written on the back of the postcard: "Please surrender this card for 10% discount on you…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : col. postcard ; 8.9 x 14.0 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 201-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1987-10

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of the exterior and parking lot of Sambo's Pancake House, Kingsway. Printed on the top of the front of the postcard is "Sambo's Pancake House," and a sign on the building read's "Sambo's." Written on the back of the postcard: "Please surrender this card for 10% discount on your next visit to Sambo's, 5550 Kingsway, Burnaby. Offer good until Feb. 28th, 1969. Your host Sambo's."

Subjects: Geographic Features - Automobile Parking Lots; Documentary Artifacts - Postcards; Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants

Names: Sambo's Pancake House

Media Type: Photograph

Responsibility: Printed on back of postcard: "Pub. by Living Colour Advertising Agencies, 809 21st St., New West'r, BC - 526-6612" and "Made in Canada / Dexter Color, Canada Ltd., Cornwall, Ontario"

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Kingsway

Street Address: 5550 Kingsway

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Windsor Area

Images

Shopfront

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription51443

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1967

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman (possibly Frances Johnston) and three children standing in the doorway of a store, with a sign above them reading "prescriptions." A line of storefronts is visible along the sidewalk, taken in front of Brentwood Shopping Centre.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1967

Collection/Fonds: Harold H. Johnston fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph (jpeg) : b&w

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 483-064

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No reproduction permitted

Accession Number: 2008-08

Scope and Content: Photograph of a woman (possibly Frances Johnston) and three children standing in the doorway of a store, with a sign above them reading "prescriptions." A line of storefronts is visible along the sidewalk, taken in front of Brentwood Shopping Centre.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Johnston, Frances

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Johnston, Harold H.

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Site of Paint- In

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34615

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 negative : b&w ; 7.5 x 6.1 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the site of the Burnaby Historical Society Paint-In on Hastings Street before painting started. Toban's Quality Shoes can be seen on the right.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: July 15, 1966

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 negative : b&w ; 7.5 x 6.1 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 066-019

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the site of the Burnaby Historical Society Paint-In on Hastings Street before painting started. Toban's Quality Shoes can be seen on the right.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial - Stores

Names: Burnaby Historical Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Hastings Street

Images

Site of Paint- In, July 15, 1966 thumbnail

Ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1894

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl bowling alley. The woman is wearing a bowling shirt and bowling in lane four. Fellow bowlers are visible in the foreground with their backs to the camera, watching her.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl bowling alley. The woman is wearing a bowling shirt and bowling in lane four. Fellow bowlers are visible in the foreground with their backs to the camera, watching her.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial; Sports - Team Sports; Sports; Sports - Bowling

Names: Rose Bowl

Accession Code: BV005.20.21

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [196-]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1895

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified teams ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl bowling alley.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of two unidentified teams ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl bowling alley.

Subjects: Buildings - Commercial; Sports - Team Sports; Sports; Sports - Bowling

Names: Rose Bowl

Accession Code: BV005.20.22

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Date: [196-]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Ten pin bowling at the Rose Bowl

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1896

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [196-]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman ten pin bowling in lane five at the Rose Bowl bowling alley. Fellow bowlers are visible in the foreground with their backs to the camera, watching her.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 7.5 x 11.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of an unidentified woman ten pin bowling in lane five at the Rose Bowl bowling alley. Fellow bowlers are visible in the foreground with their backs to the camera, watching her.