Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Burnaby Oakeys at Midget Girls' Canadian Fastpitch Championships

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97091

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 3 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Burnaby Oakeys at the Midget Girls' Canadian Fastpitch Championships at Squint Lake Park in Burnaby, playing the Brampton Blazers. Photographs depict Burnaby players Natasha McFadden and Megan Mackenzie in action with unidentified Brampton players and spectators in …

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 3 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-2619

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of the Burnaby Oakeys at the Midget Girls' Canadian Fastpitch Championships at Squint Lake Park in Burnaby, playing the Brampton Blazers. Photographs depict Burnaby players Natasha McFadden and Megan Mackenzie in action with unidentified Brampton players and spectators in the stands.

Subjects: Sports - Team Sports; Sports - Baseball; Persons - Adolescents

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an August 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-2619-1: "Burnaby Oakeys' Natasha McFadden knocks her Brampton Blazers' opponent from the base path, as she rounds second, at the Midget Girls' Canadian Fastpitch Championships, at Squint Lake Park in Burnaby."; Caption from metadata for 535-2619-2: "Burnaby Oakeys' Natasha McFedden is forced out at second base in their game against the Brampton Blazers, at the Canadian Midget Fastball Championships, at Squint Lake Park."; Caption from metadata for 535-2619-3: "Burnaby Oakeys' Megan Mackenzie lays down a bunt in their game against the Brampton Blazers, at the Canadian Midget Fastball Championships, at Squint Lake Park."

Geographic Access: Squint Lake Park

Planning Study Area: Sperling-Broadway Area

Images

Burnaby Oakeys at Midget Girls' Canadian Fastpitch Championships, [2002] thumbnail

McLean family recreational activities

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85430

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 25 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film and opens with footage of 3 year old Teresa McLean playing with a baby buggy and dolls, one of the McLean boys cutting the grass with a ride on lawn mower and a peewee softball game being played at a park with members of the McLean family looking on. This foo…

1 image 1 video

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1965

Collection/Fonds: George H.F. McLean fonds

Physical Description: 1 digital file ( 4 min., 25 sec ) : digital , col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 567-001-14

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-03

Scope and Content: Item consists of one silent colour film and opens with footage of 3 year old Teresa McLean playing with a baby buggy and dolls, one of the McLean boys cutting the grass with a ride on lawn mower and a peewee softball game being played at a park with members of the McLean family looking on. This footage is followed by adults resting on a sun deck and children playing, swimming and resting at a beach on Bowyer Island.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Sports - Swimming; Sports - Baseball

Names: McLean, Teresa; McLean, George H.F.; McLean, Brad; McLean, Edna; McLean, Sharon

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: McLean, George H.F.

Notes: Title based on content of film; Films originated in an 8mm format and were digitized by George McLean before being donated to the CBA

Images

Video

McLean family recreational activities, 1965

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/567-001-14.m4v

Pitcher Erin Thomas

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96415

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Erin Thomas, a pitcher with Simon Fraser University, posing with a baseball glove and ball.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2085

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Erin Thomas, a pitcher with Simon Fraser University, posing with a baseball glove and ball.

Subjects: Persons - Athletes; Persons - Students; Sports - Baseball

Names: Simon Fraser University

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Erin Thomas' perfect game is one of only three ever thrown by Simon Fraser University pitchers."

Images

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19610

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview…

1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: South Asian Canadian Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 4 sound recordings (wav) (186 min., 1 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (186 min., 2 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewers: Kate Petrusa and James Binks Interviewees: Rajinder and Raj Pandher Location of Interview: Love farmhouse, Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 4 Total Length of all Tracks: (3:06:01 min) Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto four separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Assistant Curator, Kate Petrusa and Museum Registrar, James Binks. The interview was conducted on January 10, 2023 and January 24, 2023. 00:00 – 08:52 First part of interview begins on January 10. Rajinder Pander provides information on where he was born and where he grew up and shares details regarding his family and his childhood including; his elementary and high school education and experiences and his involvement and interest in the sport of field hockey. 08:53 – 23:24 Raj Pander provides information on where she was born and shares details regarding her family and education. Raj recalls details of her family life in India including her family farm, her father’s service in the Indian National Army and other ancestor’s involvement in the military. Rajinder assists with the details regarding Raj’s father’s military service and explains how he was highly decelerated for his heroic actions. Rajinder conveys further information in reference to the Sikh Empire. 23:25 – 35:53 Rajinder and Raj share information on their formal education. Raj explains how she learned English and talks about the other spoken languages that her family used while she was growing up. Rajinder and Raj recall how they first met which lead them to marry in 1971. Rajinder provides information about his older brothers who left India before him. He explains how his elder brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1970 and provides details on his other brother who lived in Malaysia and England before coming to Canada in 1975. Rajinder conveys how after his brother, Kirpal Singh Pandher arrived in Canada, he lived in Campbell River and worked at the saw mill there. 35:54 – 1:01:38 Rajinder and Raj share their immigration stories including details of; what lead them to immigrate, their immigration route, what they brought with them and where they lived and worked. Rajinder and Raj tell of how they both faced discrimination in finding work that they were qualified for and describe some of the jobs that they worked at before obtaining their Real Estate licences. 1:01:39 – 1:13:09 Rajinder and Raj share information on where they’ve purchase traditional food supplies in Burnaby and Rajinder provides further details on his employment and recalls how they were able to purchase their first home in Burnaby. 1:13:10 - 1:19:33 Rajinder describes how he began writing for the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”. Rajinder shares how he first started printing small pamphlets of Sikh Cultural history in 1975 and how he’s been volunteering with the National Democratic Party (NDP) since 1973. 1:19:34 - 1:38:24 Second part of interview continues on January 24, 2023. Rajinder provides further information about the Sikh newsletter “The Western Sikh Samachar”, provides an historical summary of the Sikh Empire and the Sikh religion and describes a book that’s he’s written about his culture and the village he lived in India. 1:38:25 - 1:52:24 Raj describes some of the traditional textiles that she’s created including a dury, embroidered cloth (pakha and pakhi) and clothing. Raj shares a story of a train derailment in India in which her father survived. 1:52:25 - 2:14:53 Raj Pandher talks about her father’s letters and diaries, Rajinder talks about receiving a Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service and they both talk about their daughter Amanjit’s education and career accomplishments. Raj describes her involvement in the community council of her children’s school and both Raj and Rajinder describe their involvement in multicultural education and events that they were involved with in Burnaby and New Westminster. Interviewer lists Rajinder Pandher’s many volunteer awards and accomplishments. 2:14:54 - 2:39:53 Raj and Rajinder describe some of their family photographs as well as personal items from India including decorative arts and textiles. They talk about celebrating their 30 year wedding anniversary and the origin of their Sikh names. Rajinder describes a visit to Paldi in 1977 when the whole family was baptized at the Sikh temple and provides informaton about Hardial Singh Atwal, the first Sikh child born in Canada. Rajinder discusses what he thinks a cookhouse looked like, his friendship with former Mayor William J. Copeland and wages of South Asians working in sawmills. 2:39:54 - 3:06:01 Raj and Rajinder talk about food including where they’ve purchased traditional South Asian foods and what they grow in their home garden. Rajinder provides details about the Burnaby Multicultural Society, talks about South Asian work ethics and housing and shares some of the cultural and religious traditions of Sikhs and celebrations that take place in Vancouver and Burnaby.

History: Interviewees biographies: Rajinder Pandher was born five years prior to the Partition of India in the Village of Jhamat, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Raj Pandher was born in 1948 in the Village of Chapar, Ludhiana District, Punjab. Rajinder played field hockey while living in India and is passionate about the sport. Both Rajinder and Raj Pahndher attended college in India and were married in India in 1971. Rajinder Pandher immigrated to Canada in 1972 and his wife, Raj Pandher joined him in 1973. After arriving in Canada, Rajinder Pandher started working at a sawmill in Campbell River but didn't like the work and moved to Vancouver to find better employment opportunties. In 1976, the couple moved to Burnaby and rented until they could buy a home a year later. They raised two children who attended Second Street Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School in Burnaby. Rajinder and Raj Pandher were both very involved with multicultural efforts at their childlren's schools including turban tying and sari demonstrations and Rajinder was a founding member of the Burnaby Multicultural Society. Interviewers biographies: Kate Petrusa is the Assistant Curator at the Burnaby Village Museum. In her role, she manages all aspects of the collection – including caring for physical artifacts and making their digital counterpart accessible. Before coming to Burnaby Village Museum in 2019, Kate has worked at several Museums around the Lower Mainland as a Curator and contractor since 2013. 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: Education; Housing; Employment; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Persons - Volunteers; Religions - Sikhism; Migration; Organizations; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues; Celebrations; Sports - Field Hockey

Names: Pandher, Raj; Pandher, Rajinder; Copeland, William J.; Pandher, Harman; Pandher, Amanjit; Burnaby Multicultural Society; The Western Sikh Samachar

Responsibility: Petrusa, Kate; Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.1.2

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcripts available upon request

Audio Tracks

Interview with Rajinder and Raj Pandher, [1942- 2023] (interview content), interviewed Jan. 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0001_0002_003.mp3

Burnaby Diamondbacks AA Midget baseball game

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96727

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Diamondbacks player Nick Bertig and Vancouver player Rodger Ladner during an AA Midget baseball game at Central Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2332

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Diamondbacks player Nick Bertig and Vancouver player Rodger Ladner during an AA Midget baseball game at Central Park.

Subjects: Sports - Baseball; Persons - Adolescents

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in an April 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Burnaby Diamondbacks' Nick Berting beats the tag by Vancouver's Rodger Ladner to score on a wild pitch, the AA Midget season opener for both teams, at Burnaby's Central Park."

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Burnaby Diamondbacks AA Midget baseball game, [2002] thumbnail

Midget AA baseball game

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96747

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Vancouver player Nick Grant leaping to avoid Fraser-Burnaby player Devi Bolognese during a Midget AA baseball game at Central Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2002]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2346

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Vancouver player Nick Grant leaping to avoid Fraser-Burnaby player Devi Bolognese during a Midget AA baseball game at Central Park.

Subjects: Sports - Baseball; Persons - Adolescents

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a May 2002 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Vancouver shortstop Nick Grant leaps high to avoid Fraser-Burnaby baserunner, Devi Bolognese, who reaches second base safely on an infield hit in their Midget AA game on Saturday at Burnaby's Central Park."

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Midget AA baseball game, [2002] thumbnail

Ossie Chavarria

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96218

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2006]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: File

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Ossie Chavarria, an inductee into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame. Photographs depict Chavarria demonstrating his umpiring technique and adjusting his baseball cap on a sunny day at Robert Burnaby Park.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2006]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 2 photographs (tiff) : col.

Description Level: File

Record No.: 535-1910

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: File contains photographs of Ossie Chavarria, an inductee into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame. Photographs depict Chavarria demonstrating his umpiring technique and adjusting his baseball cap on a sunny day at Robert Burnaby Park.

Subjects: Sports - Baseball; Persons - Athletes

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a February 2006 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata for 535-1910-1: "Ossie Chavarria demonstrates his umpiring technique at Robert Burnaby Park. After a long involvement with baseball as a coach, administrator and umpire, he's being inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday as a builder."; Caption from metadata for 535-1910-2: "After a long involvement with baseball as a coach, administrator and umpire, Ossie Chavarria is being inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday as a builder."

Geographic Access: Robert Burnaby Park; Wedgewood Street

Street Address: 8155 Wedgewood Street

Historic Neighbourhood: East Burnaby (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Lakeview-Mayfield Area

Images

South Metro Baseball Club's Run, Hit and Throw competition

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96883

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of six-year-old Kyle Sussey-Perry preparing to throw a pitch at the South Metro Baseball Club's Run, Hit and Throw competition at the Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2000]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2441

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of six-year-old Kyle Sussey-Perry preparing to throw a pitch at the South Metro Baseball Club's Run, Hit and Throw competition at the Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver.

Subjects: Persons - Children; Events; Sports - Baseball

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a June 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Kyle Sussey-Perry, 6, prepares to give it his all at South Metro Baseball Club's Run, Hit and Throw competition on Saturday. More than 100 players, aged 5-13, tested their baseball abilities, with the winners going on to a provincial competition at Nat Bailey Stadium, with a chance to go to the national finals at Toronto's Skydome."

Images

South Metro Baseball Club's Run, Hit and Throw competition, [2000] thumbnail

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

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory477

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1956-1990

Length: 00:13:27

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his frien…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the circumstances behind Merrill Gordon’s founding of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club in 1956, his subsequent involvement and role as President of the club for 15 years, and the growth and history of soccer clubs in Burnaby. He also talks about his friend Mark Stockdale who was second president of the club for 16 years and creator of the rose garden on Burnaby Mountain.

Date Range: 1956-1990

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

Length: 00:13:27

Names: Stockdale, Mark; Cliff Avenue United Football Club; Burnaby Mountain Centennial Rose Garden

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Sports - Soccer

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: March 19, 1990

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.

Biographical Notes: Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.

Total Tracks: 11

Total Length: 1:31:44

Interviewee Name: Gordon, Merrill

Interview Location: unknown

Interviewer Bio: Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

Web Notes: Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.

Images

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

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Merrill Gordon

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-020/MSS187-020_Track_6.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 Ron Burton by Kathy Bossort November 16, 2015 - Track 2

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory616

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1980-2015

Length: 0:09:21

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Ron Burton’s description of mountain biking on Burnaby Mountain in the 1980’s and 1990’s and trail building on SFU lands prior to the land transfer in 1995/96. He talks about the guidelines used for trail building, and the uncertainty about what impact the lan…

1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Ron Burton’s description of mountain biking on Burnaby Mountain in the 1980’s and 1990’s and trail building on SFU lands prior to the land transfer in 1995/96. He talks about the guidelines used for trail building, and the uncertainty about what impact the land transfer from SFU to Burnaby would have on biking in the new conservation area. He also talks about forming the Burnaby Mountain Biking Association in 2000, its goals, fund raising, and members.

Date Range: 1980-2015

Length: 0:09:21

Names: City of Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services; Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area; Simon Fraser University; Burnaby Mountain Biking Association

Subjects: Geographic Features - Parks; Geographic Features - Trails; Sports - Cycling; Organizations - Societies and Clubs; Persons - Volunteers

Geographic Access: Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area

Interviewer: Bossort, Kathy

Interview Date: November 16, 2015

Scope and Content: Recording is of an interview with Ron Burton conducted by Kathy Bossort. Ron Burton was one of 23 participants interviewed as part of the Community Heritage Commission’s Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project. The interview is mainly about the founding, goals, and activities of the Burnaby Mountain Biking Association as told by one of the founders and President of the club, Ron Burton, and about the development of mountain biking and trail construction on Burnaby Mountain, both prior to and after the creation of the conservation area in 1995/96. Ron Burton also talks about his childhood, his work as a Burnaby school trustee, and the sports and recreational activities he has enjoyed on the mountain.

Biographical Notes: Ron Burton was born in Burnaby in 1954 to Fred and Shirley Burton. He grew up in East Vancouver and attended Hastings Elementary and Gladstone Secondary schools. He worked on the waterfront for Viterra, became a member of the Grain Workers Union and joined the NDP in 1972. He and his wife moved to Burnaby’s Vancouver Heights in 1982 and Forest Grove in 1988. He has served as a Board of Education Trustee in the Burnaby School District since first being elected in 1987, currently serving as Board Chair. Ron is founder and President of the Burnaby Mountain Biking Association and an active rider on Burnaby Mountain since 1988. The Association was founded in 2000, registering as a society in 2005, with the goals to build sustainable trails on Burnaby Mountain, to provide education about trail riding, and to advocate for and improve the image of mountain biking. Under Ron’s leadership the Association has successfully recruited members and formed a cooperative relationship with Burnaby’s Parks staff and with other park trail users.

Total Tracks: 6

Total Length: 1:01:32

Interviewee Name: Burton, Ronald C. "Ron"

Interview Location: Meeting room at the Burnaby School District office

Interviewer Bio: Kathy Bossort is a retired archivist living in Ladner, BC. She worked at the Delta Museum and Archives after graduating from SLAIS (UBC) in 2001 with Masters degrees in library science and archival studies. Kathy grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and, prior to this career change, she lived in the West Kootenays, earning her living as a cook for BC tourist lodges and work camps. She continues to be interested in oral histories as a way to fill the gaps in the written record and bring richer meaning to history.

Collection/Fonds: Community Heritage Commission Special Projects fonds

Series: Burnaby Mountain Oral History Project series

Media Type: Sound Recording

Audio Tracks

Track two of interview with Ron Burton

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS196-010/MSS196-010_Track_2.mp3

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47239

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV004.50.45

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV004.50.45

Description: Pin, vertical rectangle, grey metal with raised lettering and borders. At top, "B.C. SUMMER", then vertically arranged "GAMES" in wide letters in alternately positive and negative print, then "1997" at bottom in raised bar. "BURNABY" up left side, "VOLUNTEER" up right side, both perpendicular to other print. Back of pin is textured grey metal with post and butterfly clutch fastener. Post is set in round base with stop. Near edge of pin is "R" in circle, "ARTISS / REGINA / CANADA". Clutch is shiny silver metal with stamped "BALLOU REG'D / 130 YEARS".

Object History: The B.C. Games were established in 1977, and the first summer games were held in 1978. Commemorative pin for the 1997 B.C. Summer Games held in Burnaby [for volunteers].

Category: 08. Communication Artifacts

Classification: Documentary Artifacts - - Memorabilia

Object Term: Commemorative

Marks/Labels: Burnaby / B.C. Summer Games / Volunteer / 1997

Colour: Silver

Measurements: L: 2.2 cm x W: 1.8 cm

Subjects: Adornment; Adornment - Lapel Pins; Events - Competitions; Personal Symbols - Pins; Sports; Persons - Volunteers

Images

lapel pin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact47240

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV004.50.46

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV004.50.46

Description: Pin, vertical rectangle, grey metal with raised lettering and borders. At top, "B.C. SUMMER", then vertically arranged "GAMES" in wide letters in alternately positive and negative print, then "1997" at bottom in raised bar. "BURNABY" up left side, "VOLUNTEER" up right side, both perpendicular to other print. Back of pin is textured grey metal with post and butterfly clutch fastener. Post is set in round base with stop. Near edge of pin is "R" in circle, "ARTISS / REGINA / CANADA". Clutch is shiny silver metal with stamped "BALLOU REG'D / 130 YEARS".

Object History: The B.C. Games were established in 1977, and the first summer games were held in 1978. Commemorative pin for the 1997 B.C. Summer Games held in Burnaby [for volunteers].

Category: 08. Communication Artifacts

Classification: Documentary Artifacts - - Memorabilia

Object Term: Commemorative

Marks/Labels: Burnaby / B.C. Summer Games / Volunteer / 1997

Colour: Silver

Measurements: L: 2L: 2.2 cm x W: 1.8 cm

Subjects: Adornment; Adornment - Lapel Pins; Events - Competitions; Personal Symbols - Pins; Sports; Persons - Volunteers

Images

South Burnaby Neighbourhood House Car Rally

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription95958

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 family standing next to a car and looking at a map in preparation for the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House car rally.

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.: 535-1728

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of a family standing next to a car and looking at a map in preparation for the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House car rally.

Subjects: Transportation - Automobiles; Sports - Automobile Racing; Persons - Volunteers; Organizations

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a September 2003 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Antonia Beck, with a little help from her five month-old daughter, Silvia, Paul Beeman, of Donn Dean Collision, and Anne Baker, of Allegra Printing and Imaging, plot their route for the second annual South Burnaby Neighbourhood House Car Rally."

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

South Burnaby Neighbourhood House Car Rally, [2003] thumbnail

Whitecaps volunteer Ron Dancy

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96385

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ron Dancy, a longtime volunteer with the Vancouver Whitecaps, posing in a Whitecaps T-shirt with a commemorative "Soccer Bowl" stein and a soccer ball.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [2004]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection

Physical Description: 1 photograph (tiff) : col.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 535-2055

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No restrictions

Accession Number: 2018-12

Scope and Content: Photograph of Ron Dancy, a longtime volunteer with the Vancouver Whitecaps, posing in a Whitecaps T-shirt with a commemorative "Soccer Bowl" stein and a soccer ball.

Subjects: Persons - Volunteers; Sports - Soccer

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Bartel, Mario

Notes: Title based on caption; Collected by editorial for use in a March 2004 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader; Caption from metadata: "Ron Dancy, 73, has been a volunteer with the Vancouver Whitecaps/86ers for more than 30 years."

Images

Whitecaps volunteer Ron Dancy, [2004] thumbnail

baseball bat

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumartifact80101

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV008.19.1

2 images

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Accession Code: BV008.19.1

Description: This is a wood baseball bat, 83 cm long, 4 cm diameter at thinest part of handle, 7 cm diameter at top end of bat. The bat is stained a mid brown colour. The bottom of the handle expands into a ring but two opposite faces are chipped flat. The wood grain at the top end of the bat has begun to open up. "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER / MADE BY / J. F. HILLERICH & SON CO. / LOUISVILLE, KY" stamped and burned inside of an oval at the mid point on the bat. "TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF", stamped and burned under the oval logo at the mid point on the bat.

Object History: These items were used by the Thomson family in the Kerrisdale area of Vancouver.

Subjects: Sports; Sports - Baseball; Sports Equipment

Images

Baseball Team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription38265

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14.5 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of 16 unidentified men posing for a picture with a trophy and two basball bats arranged on the ground in front of them. The location of the photograph is unknown. This team may have been the Broadview area baseball team known as the Moosomin team that formed in the 1930s.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1933

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Margaret McCallum subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 14.5 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 375-027

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-42

Scope and Content: Photograph of 16 unidentified men posing for a picture with a trophy and two basball bats arranged on the ground in front of them. The location of the photograph is unknown. This team may have been the Broadview area baseball team known as the Moosomin team that formed in the 1930s.

Subjects: Sports - Baseball; Sports - Team Sports; Personal Symbols - Trophies

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph.

Images

Baseball team

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1383

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [1929]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w

Scope and Content: The photograph shows 11 men posed together in what appears to be a baseball field. 7 of 11 men are wearing baseball uniforms. Most of them have or are wearing baseball gloves. The signatures on the back of the photograph may correspond to the identity of the men in the photograph. They are: D. Hamm…

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum Photograph collection

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w

Material Details: stamped verso, u.l. "PHOTO BY/ C. J. Lord", inscribed in black ink, each line signed in different hands, " D. Hammell/ R. Wilson/ Martin L. Dalen/ Ed Marriott/ Wilf Mains [or Mairs]/ D. Bird/ W. Sobbs [or Gibbs]/ R. J. Pelchat [or Pelcher]"

Scope and Content: The photograph shows 11 men posed together in what appears to be a baseball field. 7 of 11 men are wearing baseball uniforms. Most of them have or are wearing baseball gloves. The signatures on the back of the photograph may correspond to the identity of the men in the photograph. They are: D. Hammell, R. Wilson, Martin L. Dalen, Ed Marriott, Wilf Mains (or Mairs), D. Bird, W. Sobbs (or Gibbs), R. J. Pelchat (or Pelcher).