"New Vista Society" found 89 records

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…

1 image 1 audio

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

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

Audio Tracks

Track seven of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_7.mp3

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

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 Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 9

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory480

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1987-1990

Length: 00:07:57

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s work on the Parks Board and involvement in the arts community. He talks about developing an art policy for Burnaby, the conflicting views about building a theatre at Metrotown, and the establishment of the Arts Centre at Deer Lake

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s work on the Parks Board and involvement in the arts community. He talks about developing an art policy for Burnaby, the conflicting views about building a theatre at Metrotown, and the establishment of the Arts Centre at Deer Lake

Date Range: 1987-1990

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

Length: 00:07:57

Names: Burnaby Arts Centre

Subjects: Public Services - Municipal Services; Arts; Recreational Activities - Theatre

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 nine of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_9.mp3

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 10

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory481

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1965-1990

Length: 00:15:42

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s views about SFU and its relations with and contributions to Burnaby. He details the founding of the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society with Dean Lamont and its work to have SFU transfer unused land to Burnaby to preserve as parkland

Date Range: 1965-1990

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

Length: 00:15:42

Names: Simon Fraser University; Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Lamont, Dean; Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society

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 ten of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_10.mp3

Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 11

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory482

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1984-1990

Length: 00:10:07

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon and his wife living and traveling in India intermittently for four years starting in 1984, and their impressions of the country and its people

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon and his wife living and traveling in India intermittently for four years starting in 1984, and their impressions of the country and its people

Date Range: 1984-1990

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

Length: 00:10:07

Subjects: Travel

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 eleven of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_11.mp3

Letter from the New Vista Society

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport19430

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 1586

Meeting Date: 1-Dec-1980

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 74

Item No.: 4

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 1586

Meeting Date: 1-Dec-1980

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 74

Item No.: 4

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 1586

1-Dec-1980 Meeting Minutes

Letter from the New Vista Society - Notice of Intent to Default on Payment of Taxes

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport25359

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 18525

Meeting Date: 7-Jul-1975

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 47

Item No.: 23

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 18525

Meeting Date: 7-Jul-1975

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 47

Item No.: 23

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 18525

7-Jul-1975 Meeting Minutes

Lots 14 to 16 inclusive, Block 13, DL 30, plus a portion of Lot 75, Block 13, DL 30, Plan 29773 and a portion of Vista Crescent Rezoning Reference #8/70

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport31757

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 26255

Meeting Date: 29-Jun-1970

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 39

Item No.: 19

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 26255

Meeting Date: 29-Jun-1970

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 39

Item No.: 19

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 26255

29-Jun-1970 Meeting Minutes

New Vista Society

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport11541

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 6909

Meeting Date: 17-Dec-1990

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 77

Item No.: 17

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 6909

Meeting Date: 17-Dec-1990

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 77

Item No.: 17

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 6909

17-Dec-1990 Meeting Minutes

New Vista Society Bungalow Court

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64656

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court (looks to be project no. 1 at 900 to 952 Vista Crescent, later renumbered 7590 to 7510 Vista Crescent).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-005

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court (looks to be project no. 1 at 900 to 952 Vista Crescent, later renumbered 7590 to 7510 Vista Crescent).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Photographer's note on recto of photograph reads: "NEW VISTA SOCIETY BUNGALOW COURT, BURNABY, B.C. 1949"; Handwritten on boarder of photograph: "1"

Geographic Access: Vista Crescent

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

New Vista Society Bungalow Court

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64657

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court, project no. 3, in Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court, project no. 3, in Burnaby.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Photographer's note on recto of photograph reads: "NEW VISTA SOCIETY BUNGALOW COURT, BURNABY, B.C. Project # 3, 1961"

Images

New Vista Society Bungalow Court

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64688

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court in Burnaby.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1951

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-014

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of New Vista Society's Bungalow Court in Burnaby.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Transcribed title; Photographer's note on recto of photograph reads: "New Vista Society Bungalow Court Burnaby B.C. 1951"

Images

New Vista Society Care Centre new exercise room

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96116

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2003]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of a rehab assistant at New Vista Society Care Centre helping a senior man to exercise with bike pedals.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2003]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-1819

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a rehab assistant at New Vista Society Care Centre helping a senior man to exercise with bike pedals.

Subjects: Persons - Seniors; Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a January 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Maria Phillips, a rehab assistant at Burnaby's New Vista Society Care Centre, helps Joseph O'Connell with his exercises on a mobile active bike. The Centre opened a new exercise room on Friday, to launch its "Strong Seniors-Well Seniors" program."

Geographic Access: Edmonds Street; Canada Way

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

New Vista Society Care Centre new exercise room, [2003] thumbnail

New Vista Society housing

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35646

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956 (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 New Vista Society duplex housing, 7201 Mary Avenue at Rosewood Street, East Burnaby. Ernie Winch (father) and Harold Winch (son) were instrumental in the founding of the New Vista Society.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1956 (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.: 204-504

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS1988-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of New Vista Society duplex housing, 7201 Mary Avenue at Rosewood Street, East Burnaby. Ernie Winch (father) and Harold Winch (son) were instrumental in the founding of the New Vista Society.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential

Names: New Vista Society; Winch, Ernest "Ernie"

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Mary Avenue

Street Address: 7201 Mary Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

New Vista Society housing, 1956 (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

New Vista Society Housing Projects

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription64687

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1949 and 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of an unpaved road lined with New Vista Society Housing Projects.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1949 and 1957]

Collection/Fonds: Ernest Winch fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w postcard ; 8 x 13 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 514-013

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2010-06

Scope and Content: Photographic postcard of an unpaved road lined with New Vista Society Housing Projects.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing; Geographic Features - Roads

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Handwritten in border of photograph: "1-2-3"

Images

New Vista Society Housing Projects, [between 1949 and 1957] thumbnail

New Vista Society Plans Cancellation for Lane Allowances which Form Part of the Development Plan

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/councilreport14947

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 11162

Meeting Date: 16-Mar-1987

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 19

Item No.: 16

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

2 documents

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Report ID: 11162

Meeting Date: 16-Mar-1987

Format: Council - Manager's Report

Manager's Report No.: 19

Item No.: 16

Collection/Fonds: City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds

Documents

Report 11162

16-Mar-1987 Meeting Minutes

New Vista Society Project

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34646

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 25.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project no. 1 at 900 to 952 Vista Crescent (later renumbered 7590 to 7510 Vista Crescent).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1949

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 25.0 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 080-001

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project no. 1 at 900 to 952 Vista Crescent (later renumbered 7590 to 7510 Vista Crescent).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Houses

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Caption at bottom left of photograph, "New Vista Society's Project #1. 900 - 952 Vista Crescent, South Burnaby, B.C., 1949"; Stamp and annotation on back of photograph reads, "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC" and "#6084"

Geographic Access: Vista Crescent

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

New Vista Society Project

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34647

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 24.9 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project #2 at 901 to 953 Vista Crescent (later renumbered 7593 to 7549 Vista Crescent).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1950

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 24.9 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 080-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project #2 at 901 to 953 Vista Crescent (later renumbered 7593 to 7549 Vista Crescent).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing; Organizations

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Caption at bottom left of photograph, "New Vista Society's Project #2. 901 - 953 Vista Crescent, South Burnaby, B.C., 1950"; Stamp and annotation on back of photograph reads, "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC" and "#6400-B"

Geographic Access: Vista Crescent

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Richmond Park Area

Images

New Vista Society Project

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34649

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 25.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project no. 6 at 141-149-155 11th Avenue (later renumbered the 8100 block of 11th Avenue).

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1954

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.9 x 25.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 080-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of the New Vista Society housing project no. 6 at 141-149-155 11th Avenue (later renumbered the 8100 block of 11th Avenue).

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Apartments; Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Caption at bottom left of photograph, "New Vista Society's Project #6. 141-149-155 11th Ave. East, South Burnaby, B.C., 1954"; Stamp and annotation on back of photograph reads, "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC" and "#7071-A"

Geographic Access: 11th Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Second Street Area

Images

New Vista Society Project

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34651

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.7 x 25.0 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of a New Vista Society housing project.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [195-]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Photographs subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 19.7 x 25.0 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 080-006

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: BHS2007-04

Scope and Content: Photograph of a New Vista Society housing project.

Subjects: Buildings - Residential - Seniors Housing

Names: New Vista Society

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stride, Charles Edgar

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph; Stamp on back of photograph reads, "Photo by The Stride Studios / 657 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC" and "#7217"

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

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

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

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 9

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 10

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 11

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Letter from the New Vista Society

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Letter from the New Vista Society - Notice of Intent to Default on Payment of Taxes

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Lots 14 to 16 inclusive, Block 13, DL 30, plus a portion of Lot 75, Block 13, DL 30, Plan 29773 and a portion of Vista Crescent Rezoning Reference #8/70

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New Vista Society

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New Vista Society Bungalow Court

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New Vista Society Bungalow Court

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New Vista Society Care Centre new exercise room

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New Vista Society Plans Cancellation for Lane Allowances which Form Part of the Development Plan

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