Search Results | Heritage Burnaby

Capitol Hill Community Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark563

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Description: Public building.

Associated Dates: 1948

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

4 images

Repository: Burnaby Heritage Planning

Geographic Access: Howard Avenue

Associated Dates: 1948

Description: Public building.

Heritage Value: The Capitol Hill Community Hall was designed by local architect Harold Cullerne (1890-1976). After Cullerne returned from service during the First World War, he joined J.H. Bowman in a partnership that lasted from 1919 to 1934. After Bowman retired in 1934, Cullerne practiced on his own, continuing to work on schools and institutional buildings, such as the Art Deco Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver. In 1944, Cullerne designed a community hall for Capitol Hill; the scheme was delayed, and redesigned before it was finally built after the end of the Second World War. A simple front gabled roof hall structure, this hall is a monument to community spirit, erected by community members on a volunteer basis, and used for community events for over half a century. The hall replaced two earlier structures, both destroyed by fire, that had served the same purpose.

Locality: Capitol Hill

Historic Neighbourhood: Capitol Hill (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Capitol Hill Area

Architect: Harold Cullerne

Ownership: Public (local)

Names: Cullerne, Harold; Capitol Hill Community Hall

Subjects: Buildings - Heritage; Buildings - Civic; Buildings - Civic - Community Centres

Street Address: 361 Howard Avenue

Street View URL: Google Maps Street View

Images

Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013.. Oblique view.. thumbnail

Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013. (West elevation. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Exterior view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall, 2013. (View from the northwest. Exterior Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby.
Historic view of the Capitol Hill Community Hall under construction, 1948. (Oblique view. Historic Photo). Copyright: City of Burnaby Archives 258-001. thumbnail

BBY-361-Howard-Av--1948-Archives 258-001 thumbnail

Interior of Lochdale Hall

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription1881

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: [between 1935 and 1940]

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Lochdale Hall. Streamers are hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and numerous people are seated at three long tables. The occasion is unidentified.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Harry Royle fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : sepia ; 16 x 24 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of the interior of Lochdale Hall. Streamers are hanging from the ceiling and the walls, and numerous people are seated at three long tables. The occasion is unidentified.

Subjects: Buildings - Recreational - Community Halls; Events - Parties; Events

Names: Lochdale Community Hall

Accession Code: BV005.20.7

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: [between 1935 and 1940]

Media Type: Photograph

Historic Neighbourhood: Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 1/12/2010

Scale: 100

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interior of Lochdale Hall, [between 1935 and 1940] thumbnail

Andy Digney Film

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85335

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1934 and 1961]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.

Scope and Content: Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments h…

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1934 and 1961]

Collection/Fonds: Digney Family fonds

Physical Description: 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 562-003

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: May be restricted by third party rights

Accession Number: 2014-04

Scope and Content: Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments have all been described at item level.

Subjects: Animals - Dogs; Recreational Activities - Fishing; Recreational Activities - Camping; Recreational Activities - Picnics; Geographic Features - Rivers; Events - Parades

Names: Digney, Andy; Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"

Media Type: Moving Images

Photographer: Digney, Andy

Creator: Digney, Andy

Notes: Title based on contents of film; The original 8mm film footage was digitized and broken down into 18 segments, reflecting the original order. Items are described as 562-003-1 : 562-003-18

Burnaby Schools Day at Central Park

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35084

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1937 and 1940] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Schools Day held at Central Park. Children are dancing on a field. A water tower can be seen in the distance.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [between 1937 and 1940] (date of original), copied 1986

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Davies family subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 8.8 x 12.5 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 190-004

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-41

Scope and Content: Photograph of Burnaby Schools Day held at Central Park. Children are dancing on a field. A water tower can be seen in the distance.

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing; Geographic Features - Fields

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: Central Park; Imperial Street

Street Address: 3883 Imperial Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Maywood Area

Images

Burnaby Schools Day at Central Park, [between 1937 and 1940] (date of original), copied 1986 thumbnail

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 6

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory542

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1976

Length: 00:09:36

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about the functions at the “Gai Paree”, including its popularity as a wedding reception venue; how customers circumvented the 1950’s restrictive liquor laws; and the kinds of clubs in Burnaby in the 1950’s

Date Range: 1947-1976

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

Length: 00:09:36

Names: Gai Paree Supper Club

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing; Legal System

Interviewer: Fowler, Rod

Interview Date: April 4, 1990

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

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

Total Tracks: 10

Total Length: 00:56:44

Interviewee Name: Morin, Severin "Sev"

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

Collection/Fonds: SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds

Series: Centennial Oral History project series

Transcript Available: Transcript available

Media Type: Sound Recording

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

Images

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

Audio Tracks

Track six of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%206.mp3

Invitation for RCAF Station Summerside dance

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription20362

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 28 Jul. 1945

Collection/Fonds: Robert Leonard Love fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 invitation

Scope and Content: Item consists of an invitation addressed to Robert Leonard Love and Mrs. (Margarett) Love for a dance held on July 28, 1945 at Royal Canadian Air Force Station Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

1 image

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Robert Leonard Love fonds

Series: Robert Leonard Love RCAF records series

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 invitation

Scope and Content: Item consists of an invitation addressed to Robert Leonard Love and Mrs. (Margarett) Love for a dance held on July 28, 1945 at Royal Canadian Air Force Station Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

Creator: Royal Canadian Air Force

Subjects: Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Royal Canadian Air Force

Accession Code: BV023.24.9

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 28 Jul. 1945

Media Type: Textual Record

Scan Resolution: 600

Scan Date: 2023-12-04

Notes: Title based on contents of item

Images

Invitation for RCAF Station Summerside dance, 28 Jul. 1945 thumbnail

Lillian and John dancing

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79242

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 16, 1948

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 11 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of newlyweds Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and John Ivan Yanko dancing together at their wedding reception.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 16, 1948

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 11 cm

Material Details: Secured to album page with photo corners

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 545-130

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2012-09

Scope and Content: Photograph of newlyweds Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and John Ivan Yanko dancing together at their wedding reception.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings; Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Yanko, Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" Carman; Yanko, John Ivan

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stevenson, Alice

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Lillian and John dancing, October 16, 1948 thumbnail

Lillian and John with Jenny

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription79244

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 16, 1948

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of newlyweds Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and John Ivan Yanko in a conversation with Lillian's mother Eugenia "Jenny" (Haresomovych) (Carman) Nagy at their wedding reception.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: October 16, 1948

Collection/Fonds: Yanko family fonds

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm

Material Details: Secured to album page with photo corners

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 545-131

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only

Accession Number: 2012-09

Scope and Content: Photograph of newlyweds Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" (Carman) Yanko and John Ivan Yanko in a conversation with Lillian's mother Eugenia "Jenny" (Haresomovych) (Carman) Nagy at their wedding reception.

Subjects: Ceremonies - Weddings; Recreational Activities - Dancing

Names: Yanko, Leida Doria "Lillian Doris" Carman; Yanko, John Ivan; Nagy, Eugenia "Jenny" Haresomovych Carman

Media Type: Photograph

Photographer: Stevenson, Alice

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Lillian and John with Jenny, October 16, 1948 thumbnail

Marching formations at Edmonds School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription35967

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1944

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm print

Scope and Content: Photograph was taken on Inspection Day and shows a girls gym class doing marching formations.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1944

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Edmonds School subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 6 x 9 cm print

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 207-016

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1988-07

Scope and Content: Photograph was taken on Inspection Day and shows a girls gym class doing marching formations.

Subjects: Buildings - Schools; Recreational Activities

Names: Edmonds Community School

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Geographic Access: 18th Avenue

Street Address: 7651 18th Avenue

Historic Neighbourhood: Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Edmonds Area

Images

Marching formations at Edmonds School, 1944 thumbnail

Better homes and gardens cook book

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary5420

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Edition: Rev. ed., de luxe ed.

Publication Date: 1947

Call Number: 641.5 MER

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection: Special Collection

Material Type: Book

Accession Code: BV012.14.168

Call Number: 641.5 MER

Edition: Rev. ed., de luxe ed.

Place of Publication: Des Moines, Iowa

Publisher: Meredith Pub. Co.

Publication Date: 1947

Physical Description: 1 v. (various pagings) : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm.

Library Subject (LOC): Cooking; Cookbooks--United States; Cookbooks--1940-1949

Subjects: Documentary Artifacts; Documentary Artifacts - Books; Documentary Artifacts - Cook Books

Notes: "Every recipe tested in Better Homes & Gardens' tasting-test kitchen" -- cover.

Children's Birthday party

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription37430

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of women and children seated around a table at a children's birthday party in the backyard of 4151 McGill Street. Identified: (left) Odette Donovan. The neighbours' house and a clothesline can be seen in the background.

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: 1947 (date of original), copied 1991

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Burnaby Image Bank subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 3.1 x 5.0 cm print on contact sheet 20.2 x 25.3 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 370-018

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1999-03

Scope and Content: Photograph of women and children seated around a table at a children's birthday party in the backyard of 4151 McGill Street. Identified: (left) Odette Donovan. The neighbours' house and a clothesline can be seen in the background.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Donovan, Odette

Media Type: Photograph

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

Geographic Access: McGill Street

Street Address: 4151 McGill Street

Historic Neighbourhood: Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)

Planning Study Area: Burnaby Heights Area

Images

Children's Birthday party, 1947 (date of original), copied 1991 thumbnail

Group at Dinner

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription55581

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: John Shaw fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16 cm

Scope and Content: Photograph of nine young people sitting around two tables inside a club or restaurant. The couple on the left is John Shaw and Lois Gilbert (later Lois Shaw) and the woman third from the left has been identified as Lois' sister, Daphne Gilbert (later Daphne Webber). The rest of the people are unid…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1940]

Collection/Fonds: John Shaw fonds

Series: Shaw family series

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 11.5 x 16 cm

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 485-056

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: 2005-15; 2006-01; 2007-18

Scope and Content: Photograph of nine young people sitting around two tables inside a club or restaurant. The couple on the left is John Shaw and Lois Gilbert (later Lois Shaw) and the woman third from the left has been identified as Lois' sister, Daphne Gilbert (later Daphne Webber). The rest of the people are unidentified and the location is unknown.

Subjects: Events - Parties

Names: Shaw, John Horace "Jack"; Shaw, Lois E. Gilbert; Webber, Daphne Gilbert

Media Type: Photograph

Notes: Title based on contents of photograph

Images

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19604

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their p…

1 image 1 audio

Repository: Burnaby Village Museum

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Village Museum fonds

Series: Museum Oral Histories series

Subseries: Many Voices Project Interviews subseries

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 2 sound recordings (wav) (68 min., 6 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (68 min., 7 sec.)

Material Details: Interviewer: James Binks Interviewees: Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah Location of Interview: Nalliah family home Interview Date: May 29, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 2 Total Length of all Tracks: 68 min., 6 sec. Digital master recordings (wav) were recorded onto two separate audio tracks, edited and merged together and converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby Photograph information: Ruth (Angela) Nalliah with husband Samuel Nalliah WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this interview (00:40:58 – 00:57:31) regarding the Tamil genocide may be upsetting to some people.

Scope and Content: Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, James Binks. 00:00:00 - 00:13:30 Interview opens with introductions. Samuel (Sam) and Angela Nalliah provide biographical details including their parentage, place of birth (Sri Lanka), spoken language and education. Sam Nalliah shares details on his education while living in Sri Lanka, his later education in Wales where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and his migration to Halifax in 1978 after obtaining a job at Dalhousie University as a systems analyst. Sam conveys how he decided to relocate from Halifax to Vancouver in 1986 and started his employment with BC Tel. Angela Nalliah shares details on her education and employment after immigrating to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1986. Angela conveys how she first lived in Ottawa, moved to Toronto in 1989 where she began working for TD bank and moved to Vancouver in 1999. 00:13:31 – 00:20:03 Sam Nalliah talks about how he and his wife Angela first met and married in 1999 and moved to Vancouver. Sam shares information on where his other family members immigrated to and why he decided to immigrate to Canada. Angela shares information on other members of her family who immigrated to Canada before her and how her uncle sponsored them all to come. 00:20:04 – 00:29:30 Sam provides further details regarding his family make up including; his first wife, his daughters (born in 1983 and 1985), his step daughter (born in 1991) and his youngest daughter (born in 2000). Sam tells how he worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Sam provides locations of homes that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver. Sam and Angela describe what they liked about living in Burnaby, where their daughter attended school and where they did their shopping. 00:29:31 – 00:32:11 Angela talks about working for Prospera Credit Union from 2003 after TD bank downsized. Sam describes how they rented out their house in Vancouver and lived in a rental home in Burnaby that was owned by the City of Burnaby. Sam and Angela recollect the time period that they lived in Burnaby and Vancouver before deciding to move to Surrey in 2015. 00:32:12 – 00:35:59 Sam and Angela provide details regarding their daughter’s post-secondary education and careers. Angela talks about her social activities, volunteer work and involvement with the Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia, the Women’s Network as well as the Westminster Bible Chapel Church in Burnaby and the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church in Surrey. 00:36:00 – 00:40:57 Sam recalls hearing Prime Minster Pierre Elliott Trudeau speak about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms at Dalhousie University and the effect that his speech made on him. Sam talks about joining the National Democratic Party when Peter Julian was elected as a Member of Parliament for Burnaby. 00:40:58 – 00:57:31 (WARNING: Some of the content discussed in this portion of the interview may be upsetting to some people) Sam and Angela speak about their involvement with the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC). Angela describes the brutal violence that she witnessed while living in Sri Lanka during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide in the 1980’s. Sam and Angela recollect and discuss their views and actions pertaining to the MV Sun Sea incident where a Thai cargo ship carrying Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to British Columbia were identified as terrorists by the Canadian Government and held in detention facilities. 00:57:32 – 01:08:07 Sam reflects on what he likes about Burnaby. Angela and Sam talk about Hindu temples attended by many Tamil and Sri Lankan people living in Burnaby and the lower mainland. Angela talks about the many cultural events and celebrations that are celebrated within the Tamil and Sri Lankan community including the Pongal Festival. Angela and Sam reflect on how grateful they are to be residents of Canada.

History: Interviewees biographies: Samuel (Sam) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1949. Sam immigrated to Halifax in 1977 after obtaining a position as a systems analyst at Dalhousie University. In 1986, Sam sponsored his parents to come to Canada. In 1986, after being introduced to the milder weather in Victoria, Sam decided to move to British Columbia. He moved to Burnaby in 1990 and began working for BC Tel in Burnaby. Following his job at BC Tel, Sam worked as a Systems and Operations Manager at Shaughnessy Hospital and later at BC Hydro. Ruth (Angela) Nalliah was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1964 and immigrated to Canada in 1986. As a Tamil living in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s Angela witnessed first hand the brutal violence during the Anti-Tamil state sponsored genocide. In 1986 Angela was relieved to be able to immigrate to Canada after being sponsored by her uncle. Angela first lived and worked in Ottawa and Toronto before marrying Samuel Nalliah in Ottawa in 1999 and the couple moved to Burnaby. Angela worked for TD bank in both Toronto and Vancouver until it downsized in 2003 and she began working for Prospero Credit Union. While living in Burnaby, Angela attended the Westminster Bible Chapel and after moving to Surrey she became a member of the Green Timbers Evangelical Covenant Church. Sam and Angela Nalliah have four daughters and since moving to British Columbia they’ve lived in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey. Both Sam and Angela are involved with the Tamil Cultural Association of British Columbia and the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) as well as participates in Sri Lankan and Tamil community cultural events. 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: Education; Events - Festivals; Government; Government - Federal Government; Migration; Occupations; Organizations - Political Parties; Persons - South Asian Canadians; Religions; Religions - Christianity; Religions - Hinduism; Rights; Rights - Human Rights; Social Issues; Social Issues - Racism; Social Issues - Discrimination

Names: Nalliah, Ruth "Angela"; Nalliah, Samuel "Sam"; Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); Westminster Bible Chapel; Thamil Cultural Society of British Columbia (TCSBC)

Responsibility: Binks, James

Accession Code: BV023.16.8

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Date: 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

Media Type: Sound Recording

Notes: Title based on contents of item; Transcription available upon request - contact Burnaby Village Museum

Images

Audio Tracks

Interview with Samuel Nalliah and Ruth (Angela) Nalliah, 1949-2023 (interview content), interviewed 29 May 2023

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0008_003.mp3

Interview with Sev Morin by Rod Fowler April 4, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory544

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date Range: 1947-1990

Length: 00:03:38

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

1 image 1 audio

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Summary: This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s many photographs of people and events held at his restaurant, and his political activities, including his interest in running for the federal Liberals in 1979 and 1988.

Date Range: 1947-1990

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: 00:03:38

Names: Liberal Party

Subjects: Elections; Events - Parties

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

Track eight of interview with Sev Morin

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Oral_Histories/_Unrestricted/MSS187-021/MSS187-021_Track%208.mp3

South Burnaby get together

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription34927

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1942 or 1943]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Description Level: Item

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 16.7 cm + 1 p.

Scope and Content: Photograph of a South Burnaby get together inside a home. Kneeling in the front are; Druggist Alex McPhee, and Fireman and Chief Lou Avauche. Standing in the back with their arms around eachother are; Pauline Davies, Pearl McPhee, Mrs. Monk, Marjorie (Mason) Coe, Syb Avauche, Fireman Sam Davies, an…

1 image

Repository: City of Burnaby Archives

Date: [1942 or 1943]

Collection/Fonds: Burnaby Historical Society fonds

Series: Community Archives Collection series

Subseries: Marjorie Coe subseries

Physical Description: 1 photograph : b&w ; 12.6 x 16.7 cm + 1 p.

Description Level: Item

Record No.: 161-002

Access Restriction: No restrictions

Reproduction Restriction: No known restrictions

Accession Number: BHS1986-11

Scope and Content: Photograph of a South Burnaby get together inside a home. Kneeling in the front are; Druggist Alex McPhee, and Fireman and Chief Lou Avauche. Standing in the back with their arms around eachother are; Pauline Davies, Pearl McPhee, Mrs. Monk, Marjorie (Mason) Coe, Syb Avauche, Fireman Sam Davies, and Fireman Gordon Monk. The woman are in dresses and the men are in suits.