68 records – page 1 of 4.

Interview with Toki Miyashita by Rod Fowler February 27, 1990 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory518
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1969-1990
Length
00:04:54
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Toki Miyashita and her family’s move to Burnaby in 1969 to an apartment near Brentwood Mall. She tells about continuing to demonstrate origami in schools and teach Ikebana in the community.
Date Range
1969-1990
Length
00:04:54
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Arts
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Brentwood Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 27, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Toki Miyashita, conducted by Rod Fowler. Toki Miyashita 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 Toki Miyashita’s family’s internment during WWII, her awakening interest in Japanese culture after the war, her subsequent interest in teaching others about Japanese crafts and arts, and becoming a helpful intermediary between Burnaby and visitors from Japan. The interview explores her interest in the Ainu of Japan and their possible link to the aboriginals of BC, her impressions of the Ainu carver Nuburi Toko, and her involvement in the events surrounding the creation of the sculpture “Playground of the Gods” for Burnaby Mountain. The interview also contains interesting details about the art of Japanese flower-arranging. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Toki Miyashita was born in Richmond B.C., ca. 1935, at the Nelson Brothers “fishery”, a second generation Canadian descended from the Oikawa family who settled on Don and Lion Islands (Oikawa-shima). In 1942 the Japanese Canadians in BC were forcibly moved from the coast and their belongings confiscated. Toki Miyashita, her parents, two brothers, and grandparents were first taken to Hastings Park where her father was separated from the family to work in road camps, and the rest of the family were interned in New Denver. Her resourceful grandmother moved the family to land outside the internment camp, growing a large garden from seeds brought with her. In 1946 the family moved to Kamloops and in 1958, after finishing high school, Toki Miyashita moved to Montreal to be with relatives and a small Japanese community. At this time she became interested in Japanese culture and took a Japanese language course at age 22. She learned about Japanese flower-arranging (Ikebana), paper folding (Origami), silk doll making (from a Russian Jew), and how to wear a kimono. She began demonstrating these arts in schools and to other groups, which she continued doing when she, her husband and two young children moved to Burnaby in 1969. Toki Miyashita has been called an unpaid “ambassador” of Japanese culture to the Lower Mainland. She has acted as liaison between Burnaby and her sister city Kushiro in Japan, which involved her in the creation of the Ainu sculpture “Playground of the Gods” on Burnaby Mountain for Burnaby’s Centennial. Toki Miyashita is a recognized Master in Ikebana Sogetsu, a school of flower-arranging, and has served on the board of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. She also served on Burnaby’s Family Court in the 1980s.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
01:34:10
Interviewee Name
Miyashita, Toki
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.
Audio Tracks

Track three of interview with Toki Miyashita

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Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19635
Repository
Burnaby Village Museum
Date
[1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby Village Museum fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanola…
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
2 sound recordings (wav) (87 min.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (86 min., 51 sec.)
Material Details
Interviewer: James Binks Interviewee: Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis Location of Interview: Prado Cafe, 4321 Still Creek Dr., Burnaby Interview Date: July 26, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:26:60 Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Ambient sound from cafe in background of interview
Scope and Content
Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Jenny (Eugenia) Siormanolakis conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks on July 26 2023. 00:00-12:02 Interview opens with introductions. Jenny Siormanolakis shares details about her parents Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis who were both born in Greece and immigrated to Vancouver. Jenny provides details about the history of Romana Pizza restaurant including; the restaurant partners, the various locations, her father’s work ethics of running the restaurant and the staff who worked there. Jenny provides details about her father's life, his ancestral background and family relations which lead him to immigrate to Vancouver. Jenny shares childhood memories of helping out in her parents’ restaurant and later working there. 12:03 – 26:41 Jenny describes various food dishes that have been on the menu of Romana Pizza and Steak House and Romana Pizza, how they've evolved over time, how her father learned to cook traditional Greek food and develop his own recipes and where he sourced his restaurant food supplies. Jenny conveys how they used social media to advertise the restaurant, describes the election pizza poll that Romana Pizza held during the federal and provincial elections and a baby poll that was held at the restaurant to guess the weight of her and her sister’s babies. 26:42 – 31:47 Jenny talks about her marriage and recollects how she got married in a civil ceremony at Romana Pizza. Jenny talks about her family life while her family was running the restaurant, their decision to sell the restaurant and describes the last days of running the restaurant. 31:48 – 46:33 Jenny conveys the background story of her business “Granpa J’s”. Jenny describes how her uncle Jimmy Voulides, created his own seasoning salt product and after he died in 2003, Jenny and her sister Nora purchased the business. Jenny describes how they developed their business, created new products, their struggles and how they became successful. Jenny describes how their products have been developed from family recipes and recalls how the actor Ryan Reynold’s helped their products become even more successful overnight. 46:34 – 55:38 Jenny talks about different community festivals and events that she’s been involved with including; Greek Day on Broadway (Vancouver) and the Hats Off Day event in North Burnaby. Jenny shares the background history of Greek Day in Vancouver and information about other Greek community events. Jenny talks about the importance of bringing the community together and the importance of knowing the history of your ancestors and where they came from. 55:39 - 1:04:35 Jenny talks about her involvement with the Greek community newspaper “Gnome” and provides details about; the former creator and editor Kostas Karatsikis, the newspaper's content, it's importance in the Greek community and the distribution. Jenny describes some of the articles that she’s written for the Gnome newspaper. 1:04:36 - 1:14:12 Jenny describes some pivotal moments that occurred over the years at Romana Pizza including; placing second in the Vancouver Sun newspaper contest for Best Pizza (1986) and having members of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team frequent their restaurant. Jenny conveys how the restaurant benefited from having a website and using social media as a marketing tools. 1:14:13 - 1:22:42 Jenny talks about her involvement with Kolanki Group West, Euro Find foods and her passion for Greek food and other European foods. Jenny describes some traditional Greek recipes, family recipes, talks about marketing Grandpa J's products and reflects on the menu of Romana Pizza. 1:22:43 - 1:26:51 Jenny reflects on the role of the Greek community, how food plays a roll, the future of the Greek community in Vancouver and Burnaby and the importance of engaging the younger generation. In closing Jenny provides a quote from an article that she wrote “Forgive the mistakes of the past, let it go and realize that we are all equals...”.
History
Interviewee biography: Eugenia "Jenny" Siormanolakis is the daughter of Eugene and Europe Siormanolakis. Jenny’s father, Eugene Siormanolakis immigrated to Canada from Greece in the late 1960’s and her mother Europe Siormanolakis immigrated in 1973. In April 1973, her father and five partners opened the restaurant “Romana Pizza and Steak House” (later renamed "Romana Pizza") located at 4660 Hastings Street in the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood. Jenny and her sister Eleanora Iliakis spent much of their childhood in the family owned restaurant and also worked at the restaurant as they become older. Jenny’s parents continued to own and operate the restaurant until 2014 when they decided to retire from the business. In 2004, an opportunity arose for Jenny and her sister Eleanora to buy their recently deceased uncle’s business Grandpa J’s Seasoning Inc. They launched their business of “Grandpa J’s” seasoning first selling to local restaurants and eventually adapted their product line to include other Greek seasoning products which they developed from their own recipes. They expanded their clientele to include retail outlets and in 2020, they got a boost to their sales when actor Ryan Reynolds promoted their seasoing product "Vancity Grind" on Instagram. Since launching their business they have been featured in many culinary and business publications and were nominated in 2022 as finalists for Product of the Year by BC Food and Beverage. Jenny is extremely passionate about food, her Greek heritage and is an advocate for food security for children and seniors and mental health. 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
Buildings - Commercial - Restaurants
Businesses
Elections
Foods
Migration
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Persons - Greek Canadians
Names
Gnome Publications
Iliakis, Eleonara Siormanolakis
Karatsikis, Kostas "George"
Siormanolakis, Eugenia "Jenny"
Nikolaidis, "Eleni"
Nikolaidis, Stelios
Romana Pizza
Siormanolakis, Eugene
Siormanolakis, Europe
Voulides, Demetrios "Jimmy"
Responsibility
Binks, James
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Street Address
4660 Hastings Street
Accession Code
BV023.16.13
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Date
[1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023
Media Type
Sound Recording
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Notes
Title based on contents of item
Transcription available on Heritage Burnaby
Documents
Audio Tracks

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

Interview with Jenny Siormanolakis, [1960-2023] (interview content), interviewed 26 Jul. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0013_003.mp3
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Helen 'The Swinging Girl' Neon Sign

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark591
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Commercial building.
Associated Dates
1956
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Other Names
Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Other Names
Helen's Childrens Wear Sign
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Associated Dates
1956
Formal Recognition
Heritage Designation, Community Heritage Register
Enactment Type
Bylaw No. 12771
Enactment Date
19/04/2010
Description
Commercial building.
Heritage Value
While the building here is of some importance as the former North Burnaby municipal office, its primary importance is its delightful neon sign that has become a North Burnaby landmark. Helen Arnold opened Helen’s Childrens Wear shop in the building next door to the old Municipal offices in 1948. In 1955, when North Burnaby moved out, she moved into the vacated building. As part of the renovations, Helen enlisted the assistance of her good friend Jimmy Wallace, owner of Vancouver’s Wallace Neon Company, to create a new sign for her expanded business. One of the company’s designers, Reeve Lehman, created the swinging neon girl that was installed in 1956. Designed in two parts, one section of the sign is cloud shaped and reads ‘Helen’s’ while the other section is a moving representation of a little girl on a swing. The sign is nine feet six inches high and nine feet wide, and the lower section is animated with an internal motor and gears. It immediately became a landmark on Hastings Street, and recently the sign’s design fame has spread far and wide as one of the best surviving examples of kinetic neon art in North America.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Willingdon Heights Area
Community
Burnaby
Names
Helen's Childrens Wear
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Stores
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Street Address
4142 Hastings Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Willingdon Heights United Church

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark658
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Church building.
Associated Dates
1951
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Parker Street
Associated Dates
1951
Description
Church building.
Heritage Value
This church was built to serve a 500-home subdivision known as Willingdon Heights–Canada’s largest single veteran’s housing project created by the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and constructed by the Whitsell Construction Company in 1948. The church building was designed as a simplified Gothic Revival church with a tall front tower and Gothic pointed-arch stained glass window and entrance. This church was designed by Vancouver architects Twizell & Twizell. Both Robert Twizell (1875-1964) and younger brother George Twizell (1885-1957) articled at Newcastle, England’s Hicks & Charlewood before arriving in Vancouver in late 1907 or early 1908, with George working for Robert until they established a partnership a few years later. Their firm lasted for nearly half a century and was well known for its numerous church designs.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Willingdon Heights Area
Architect
Twizell & Twizell
Area
1808.82
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
4304 Parker Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Interview with Eddy Wood by Eric Damer September 24, 2012 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory424
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1951-1989
Length
0:10:28
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes the customers that came in to the family store and the Heights shopping district in general. He describes a number of the merchants in more detail as well.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes the customers that came in to the family store and the Heights shopping district in general. He describes a number of the merchants in more detail as well.
Date Range
1951-1989
Length
0:10:28
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Stores
Occupations - Entrepreneurs
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 24, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Eddy Wood conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 24, 2012. Major themes discussed are: Regent Fish Market and the Vancouver Heights business district.
Biographical Notes
Eddy Wood was born in 1943 and grew up working in various shops in the Vancouver Heights area of Burnaby. Eddy's father, also Eddy Wood, bought the Regent Fish Market in 1947 or 1948. When the senior Eddy Wood died in 1960, his wife took over the fish market and ran it for the next fifteen years. Their son Eddy then stepped in and continued with the family business. Through this, the Wood family was able to run the Regent Fish Market for over fifty years. Eddy Wood recalls the busy nature of the business in the post-war period, the role of the streetcar in bringing customers to the area and the preferences of the local customers. Vancouver Heights merchants joined together to form the North Burnaby Merchants in 1954. During Eddy Wood's tenure, the North Burnaby Merchants created “Hats Off Day” and organized to fight the Provincial Department of Highways’ plan to remove street level parking along Hastings Street.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:32
Interviewee Name
Wood, Eddy
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track two of recording of interview with Eddy Wood

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Interview with Eddy Wood by Eric Damer September 24, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory425
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1951-2001
Length
0:09:48
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes the neon signs that used to be along Hastings Street and fellow entrepreneurs that were instrumental in keeping Hastings Street and the Heights going strong. This includes Hats Off Days and the …
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes the neon signs that used to be along Hastings Street and fellow entrepreneurs that were instrumental in keeping Hastings Street and the Heights going strong. This includes Hats Off Days and the parking lots at the corners (developed with the City of Burnaby).
Date Range
1951-2001
Length
0:09:48
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Stores
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 24, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Eddy Wood conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 24, 2012. Major themes discussed are: Regent Fish Market and the Vancouver Heights business district.
Biographical Notes
Eddy Wood was born in 1943 and grew up working in various shops in the Vancouver Heights area of Burnaby. Eddy's father, also Eddy Wood, bought the Regent Fish Market in 1947 or 1948. When the senior Eddy Wood died in 1960, his wife took over the fish market and ran it for the next fifteen years. Their son Eddy then stepped in and continued with the family business. Through this, the Wood family was able to run the Regent Fish Market for over fifty years. Eddy Wood recalls the busy nature of the business in the post-war period, the role of the streetcar in bringing customers to the area and the preferences of the local customers. Vancouver Heights merchants joined together to form the North Burnaby Merchants in 1954. During Eddy Wood's tenure, the North Burnaby Merchants created “Hats Off Day” and organized to fight the Provincial Department of Highways’ plan to remove street level parking along Hastings Street.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:32
Interviewee Name
Wood, Eddy
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Eddy Wood

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Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory538
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1950-1990
Length
00:06:16
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s description of Burnaby’s growth and business development along Kingsway and Hastings, the Lake City Industrial Park, and the purchase of property in 1958 for the Heritage Park and Art Gallery.
Date Range
1950-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
Length
00:06:16
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial
Buildings - Civic
Buildings - Industrial
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Lake City Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Kingsway-Beresford Area
Douglas-Gilpin Area
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
Audio Tracks
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Frank Walsh Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark581
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1948
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Boundary Road
Associated Dates
1948
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This Streamline Moderne house is a rare example of this style in Burnaby and remains in excellent condition. Reflecting the influence of technology, industrial design and aerodynamic styling, the house has smooth rounded surfaces, rounded corners, a flat roof and prominent projecting eaves. It was built for prominent North Burnaby businessman Frank Wallace Walsh (1907-1963), who was a mechanic, and his wife Rena.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
270 Boundary Road
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Interview with Edward Apps by Rod Fowler February 22, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory460
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1948-1990
Length
00:06:43
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the history of Ed Apps’ house, changes in the neighbourhood around Georgia Street, and the tram serving his area from Hastings
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about the history of Ed Apps’ house, changes in the neighbourhood around Georgia Street, and the tram serving his area from Hastings
Date Range
1948-1990
Length
00:06:43
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 22, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Edward Apps, conducted by Rod Fowler. Ed Apps 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 Ed Apps involvement in community groups, particularly his work in seniors organizations lobbying for seniors’ housing since his retirement, and views about the role of Rate Payer groups, unions and politics in the development of North and South Burnaby. He also talks about his origin in England, his war service, arrival with his wife Margaret in Burnaby in 1946, his work with the Burnaby School Board and for the local union, the location of some of the older schools, the history of his house, and briefly about his wife and children. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Edward Apps was born in 1918 in London, England, and grew up in Kent and Essex. In WWII he flew the third glider to land in Normandy on June 6th, 1944. He and his wife Margaret Hope (1915-1985) immigrated to British Columbia in 1946, joining his wife’s parents, who had immigrated earlier in 1939, in Burnaby Heights in North Burnaby. He worked for the Burnaby School Board as Foreman Painter, and served on CUPE Local 379 Executive, until his retirement in 1982. In 1948 Ed Apps bought his first lot, for $150.00, in the 4700 block on Georgia Street, building houses there and in the 4100 block before buying his present home, a ca.1900 farm building, in the same area in 1954. North Burnaby was “bush country and orchards” in the 1950s; his two sons played in the ravines; and the family used the tram system on Hastings and Boundary Road for transportation. Development of municipal services seemed slower in North than South Burnaby, and Ed Apps remembers the strong role Rate Payers groups had in creating local services and lobbying Municipal Council for provide services. After retirement Ed Apps became involved in several local and provincial seniors organizations, advocating for better housing, including serving on the Executives of the Network of Burnaby Seniors and the Council of Senior Citizens Organization, and was active in the provincial Seniors Research and Resource and CMHC Housing Committee. He also served on the Centennial Committee of Burnaby.
Total Tracks
8
Total Length
0:56:50
Interviewee Name
Apps, Ed
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.
Audio Tracks
Less detail

Lewis & Millicent Physick Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark616
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1939
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Boundary Road North
Associated Dates
1939
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This modest residence was built for Lewis Baker Physick (1905-1971), a freight dispatcher for B.C. Motor Transport Company who later worked for B.C. Hydro, and Millicent Physick (née Edwards, 1894-1971), a hairdresser, who lived here until their respective deaths. Situated on a terraced lot with stone-clad retaining walls, this home was influenced by the British Arts and Crafts style, which remained popular throughout the 1930s. Such stylistic influence can be seen in the second floor overhang, which is supported by false beams, leaded casement windows and steeply pitched roof and front gable. The roofline is enhanced by a jerkin-headed roof on the front gable. Apart from the addition of a later south elevation extension, the house remains in excellent original condition. Located on an elevated site, this residence has an unobstructed view of downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
420 Boundary Road North
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 3

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory421
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1949
Length
0:10:42
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet (the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand). Aili describes her childhood neighbours, her family home, family friends,…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's childhood along the waterfront at Burrard Inlet (the homes of Crabtown were built on decks which were on top of pilings, that were sunk deep into the sand). Aili describes her childhood neighbours, her family home, family friends, dance halls, and the Marine Building in Vancouver.
Date Range
1937-1949
Photo Info
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
Length
0:10:42
Geographic Access
Burrard Inlet
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 11, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
Biographical Notes
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:39:00
Interviewee Name
Topalian, Aili Rintanen
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track three of recording of interview with Aili Topalian

Less detail

Interview with Aili Topalian by Eric Damer October 11, 2012 - Track 4

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory422
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1979
Length
0:10:15
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's memories of her early life in Burnaby. Aili discusses family friends, Maplewood flats in North Vancovuer, the waterfront at Burrard Inlet, owning Bantam Roosters and an Alsatian dog. She mentions some of the more challenging aspec…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Aili (Rintanen) Topalian's memories of her early life in Burnaby. Aili discusses family friends, Maplewood flats in North Vancovuer, the waterfront at Burrard Inlet, owning Bantam Roosters and an Alsatian dog. She mentions some of the more challenging aspects of Crabtown.
Date Range
1937-1979
Photo Info
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) holding cat, next to her sister who has a rooster in her arms, [1937]. Item no. 337-003.
Length
0:10:15
Geographic Access
Burrard Inlet
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
October 11, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Aili (Rintanen) Topalian conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, October 11, 2012. Major theme discussed: growing up in Crabtown.
Biographical Notes
Aili Rintanen (later Topalian) came to British Columbia in 1936 from a homestead near Burnt Lake, Alberta. After a few months in Vancouver and then a Burnaby apartment, the Rintanens moved to a house on the Burrard Inlet. The family lived over the water, in a house built on a deck, secured to the top of pilings that were sunk deep into the sand. Aili's mother Aune Rintanen found work at a fish and chip shop in downtown Vancouver and her father Gus Rintanen worked in a nearby mill. Aili and her sister Trudi (later Tuomi), attended school in Burnaby. For nine years the Rintanens created a home for themselves in an area now called Crabtown, although no one living there called it that.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:39:00
Interviewee Name
Topalian, Aili Rintanen
Interview Location
Interviewee's residence
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Images
Audio Tracks

Track four of recording of interview with Aili Topalian

Less detail

Interview with Eddy Wood by Eric Damer September 24, 2012 - Track 1

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory423
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1937-1975
Length
0:09:15
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes how his family came to own Regent Fish Market and what it was like to grow up with a family-owned business in Vancouver Heights.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the recording pertains to Eddy Wood's memories of the Regent Fish Market. Eddy describes how his family came to own Regent Fish Market and what it was like to grow up with a family-owned business in Vancouver Heights.
Date Range
1937-1975
Length
0:09:15
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Stores
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
Damer, Eric
Interview Date
September 24, 2012
Scope and Content
Recording is an interview with Eddy Wood conducted by Burnaby Village Museum employee Eric Damer, September 24, 2012. Major themes discussed are: Regent Fish Market and the Vancouver Heights business district.
Biographical Notes
Eddy Wood was born in 1943 and grew up working in various shops in the Vancouver Heights area of Burnaby. Eddy's father, also Eddy Wood, bought the Regent Fish Market in 1947 or 1948. When the senior Eddy Wood died in 1960, his wife took over the fish market and ran it for the next fifteen years. Their son Eddy then stepped in and continued with the family business. Through this, the Wood family was able to run the Regent Fish Market for over fifty years. Eddy Wood recalls the busy nature of the business in the post-war period, the role of the streetcar in bringing customers to the area and the preferences of the local customers. Vancouver Heights merchants joined together to form the North Burnaby Merchants in 1954. During Eddy Wood's tenure, the North Burnaby Merchants created “Hats Off Day” and organized to fight the Provincial Department of Highways’ plan to remove street level parking along Hastings Street.
Total Tracks
3
Total Length
0:29:32
Interviewee Name
Wood, Eddy
Interview Location
Burnaby Village Museum
Interviewer Bio
Eric Damer is a lifelong British Columbian born in Victoria, raised in Kamloops, and currently residing in Burnaby. After studying philosophy at the University of Victoria, he became interested in the educational forces that had shaped his own life. He completed master’s and doctoral degrees in educational studies at the University of British Columbia with a particular interest in the history of adult and higher education in the province. In 2012, Eric worked for the City of Burnaby as a field researcher and writer, conducting interviews for the City Archives and Museum Oral History Program.
Collection/Fonds
Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds
Series
Burna-Boom Oral History Project series
Transcript Available
None
Media Type
Sound Recording
Audio Tracks

Track one of recording of interview with Eddy Wood

Less detail

Bishop Block

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark562
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Commercial building.
Associated Dates
1935
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Associated Dates
1935
Description
Commercial building.
Heritage Value
This one-storey commercial block retains its original division into three retail units. An eclectic Spanish Colonial Revival character is imparted by the use of visor roofs, covered in metal pantiles, that extend over the recessed entries. The stepped parapets are more reminiscent of the Art Deco style. Each of the three retail spaces retains their plate glass display windows. This commercial block was owned in 1939 by Mary J. Bishop of Vancouver.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Willingdon Heights Area
Ownership
Private
Street Address
3736 Hastings Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Standard Oil Company / Chevron

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark673
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1935
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Willingdon Avenue North
Associated Dates
1935
Heritage Value
In 1935 the announcement that the California-based Standard Oil Company was going to build a huge "million dollar" refinery in Burnaby was greeted with cheers by residents who were eager for employment and good news during the Great Depression. The refinery, named Stanovan (aka: Standard Oil - Vancouver) was officially opened in 1936 with the ability to produce 2000 barrels per day. During World War Two, the capacity of the refinery doubled to assist in the war effort. In 1976, the company's name was changed to Chevron Canada Limited.
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Street Address
355 Willingdon Avenue North
Images
Less detail

Interview with John Ferguson July 3, 1975 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory181
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1931-1940
Length
0:08:41
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Ferguson's description of the visibility of the Unemployed in the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood. He also describes the few items in his store that could be bought with script.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview pertains to John Ferguson's description of the visibility of the Unemployed in the Vancouver Heights neighbourhood. He also describes the few items in his store that could be bought with script.
Date Range
1931-1940
Length
0:08:41
Subjects
Buildings - Commercial - Hardware Stores
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Interviewer
McLeod, Ross S.
Interview Date
July 3, 1975
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with John Ferguson by history student Ross S. McLeod, July 3, 1975. Major themes discussed are: the Depression.
Biographical Notes
John Ferguson was born in Glasgow in 1900. He came to Canada with his family in 1910, and settled on Vancouver Island. In 1931 John Ferguson purchased the hardware store on the 3900 block of Hastings Street.
Total Tracks
4
Total Length
0:32:21
Interviewee Name
Ferguson, John
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.
Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with John Ferguson

Less detail

James & Catherine Newton Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark602
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Yale Street
Associated Dates
1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
Typical of the Craftsman style, this bungalow has retained its original side jerkin-headed roof, jerkin-headed dormer, twin-course shingle siding and tapered columns on the open front verandah. The panelled and glazed front door, and the multi-paned windows are original. It was built for James Newton (1887-1954), an inspector for the Workman’s Compensation Board, for $3,500 in 1930. James and his wife, Catherine (née McKechnie), lived here until his death in 1954.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
3724 Yale Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Lucy Turner Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark618
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Boundary Road North
Associated Dates
1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This house was built for Lucy Lillian Turner (1881-1959), the daughter of Captain Andrew Jackson Cates of North Vancouver. Lucy Turner was the widow of Robert Ketchson Turner (1871-1918), who was a purser for her father’s Terminal Steam Navigation Company. They were married in 1913; Robert died during the 1918 Spanish Influenza epidemic and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. Located on an elevated site, this residence boasts an unobstructed view of downtown Vancouver and Burrard Inlet and is situated amidst a context of homes of a similar age and scale. Demonstrating the late influence of the Craftsman style, this one and one-half storey house has triangular eave brackets and exposed rafter tails and purlins. A central wall dormer projects over the central front entry. Though the integrity of the house has been compromised with a later coat of stucco over the original siding, it maintains its double-hung wooden windows and original form, scale and massing.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
324 Boundary Road North
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Mary McNeil Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark620
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
MacDonald Avenue North
Associated Dates
1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
Built for Mary McNeil, this house is a well-preserved example of an interwar Period Revival cottage, combining eclectic elements such as curved entrance porch buttresses, rolled roof edges, round-arched windows, smooth stucco cladding and imitation voussoirs. The house retains its original window sash with leaded glass panes.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
310 Macdonald Avenue North
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

Terence & Mary Bodkin Residence

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark643
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Description
Residential building.
Associated Dates
1930
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
Ingleton Avenue North
Associated Dates
1930
Description
Residential building.
Heritage Value
This British Arts and Crafts residence was built for B.C. Coast Steamship Service seaman Terence William Bodkin (1876-1945) and his wife, Mary Margaret Bodkin (née Horie, 1882-1958), who had married in 1913. Mary, a violin teacher, was born in London and Terrance was from Ireland. The house has retained many of its original features such as its side gabled jerkin-headed roof, half timbering and triple assembly windows, with multi-paned upper sash.
Locality
Vancouver Heights
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Area
566.71
Contributing Resource
Building
Ownership
Private
Street Address
124 Ingleton Avenue North
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
Less detail

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