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Digney film 1 - Digney family in Burnaby, Okanagan, Vancouver, Victoria, California and Seattle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10593
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outd…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outdoor Christmas display and is followed by several other film segments taking place in Burnaby at 7749 Kaymur Drive; 6521 Bonsor Street and Brentwood Mall as well as Okanagon Lake Resort; California; Seattle; Vancouver and Victoria.
- Subjects
- Holidays - Christmas
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film
- 12 film segments from this compilation with Burnaby content are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Digney film 2 - Family in Burnaby, Construction of Simpsons-Sears building and wedding
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10598
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his h…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his house on Kaymar Drive; construction of the Simpsons-Sears building in 1954 behind the Digney home at 3698 Bonsor Street; unidentified outdoor wedding attended by the Digney's and Swans; Campbell family gathering in Victoria; gathering of friends and family inside Alice and Andy Digney’s home on Kaymar Drive before they leave for their World tour in 1964.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Kaymar Drive
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film
- 9 film clips from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Digney film 1 - Bruce Digney and Tawny
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10614
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1958 and 1959] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 13 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of Bruce Digney playing with family dog named Tawny in a pool of water in the front yard of Digney home located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue. Bruce Digney is using a hose to spray water on the dog.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (1 min., 13 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of Bruce Digney playing with family dog named Tawny in a pool of water in the front yard of Digney home located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue. Bruce Digney is using a hose to spray water on the dog.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney, Bruce
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.3.11
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1958 and 1959] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)
Images
Video
Digney film 1 - Bruce Digney and Tawny, [between 1958 and 1959] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney film 1 - Bruce Digney and Tawny, [between 1958 and 1959] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_011.mp4Digney film 2 - Great Dane
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10632
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 2 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of Andy Digney's Great Dane playing in the yard of the Digney home at 6521 Bonsor Street. The elaborate dog house was built by Andy Digney.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (2 min., 2 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of Andy Digney's Great Dane playing in the yard of the Digney home at 6521 Bonsor Street. The elaborate dog house was built by Andy Digney.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Animals - Dogs
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.4.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)
Images
Video
Digney film 2 - Great Dane, [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney film 2 - Great Dane, [between 1955 and 1958] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_001.mp4Digney film 2 - Five pin bowling
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10638
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 11 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film close up of five pin bowling at the Digney Bowling Alley at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. Footage cuts everytime pins are reset. The Digney Bowling Alley opened in 1955.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (7 min., 11 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Material Details
- Poor quality - dark
- Scope and Content
- Film close up of five pin bowling at the Digney Bowling Alley at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. Footage cuts everytime pins are reset. The Digney Bowling Alley opened in 1955.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Sports - Bowling
- Names
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.4.7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)
Images
Video
Digney film 2 - Five pin bowling, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney film 2 - Five pin bowling, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_007.mp4Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10640
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1954] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (5 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Short Film clip of a view from the Digney's backyard at 3698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Ave. after 1958) of the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building on Kingsway in Burnaby.
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (5 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Short Film clip of a view from the Digney's backyard at 3698 Bonsor Avenue (address changed to 6521 Bonsor Ave. after 1958) of the construction of the Simpsons-Sears building on Kingsway in Burnaby.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Buildings - Commercial - Malls
- Names
- Simpsons-Sears Limited
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.4.9
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1954] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.4)
Images
Video
Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears, [1954] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney film 2 - Construction of Simpsons-Sears, [1954] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0004_009.mp4Digney Film 3 - Construction of Digney Bowling Alley
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10648
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1955 (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting the construction of the Digney Bowling Alley in Burnaby. The bowling alley was built on the west side of the Digney family home located at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). The film documents Ozzie Cavello using his bulldozer to clear the la…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (8 min., 40 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting the construction of the Digney Bowling Alley in Burnaby. The bowling alley was built on the west side of the Digney family home located at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). The film documents Ozzie Cavello using his bulldozer to clear the land followed by construction workers laying cinder block walls, a large crane helping to lay steel girders and lumber for the roof. The opening footage is taken from the parking lot of the Simpsons-Sears store on Kingsway. The Film segment closes with large flower arrangements gathered around the entrance of the Digney Bowling Alley in honour of the grand opening with Andy Digney and his brother in law Sydney Swan at the entrance.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.5.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- 1955 (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5)
Images
Video
Digney Film 3 - Construction of Digney Bowling Alley, 1955 (date of original), copied 2019
Digney Film 3 - Construction of Digney Bowling Alley, 1955 (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_001.mp4Digney Film 3 - Tournament at Digney Bowling Alley
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10649
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 12 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting a bowling tournament at the Digney Bowling Alley at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). Two male and female pairs appear to be competing against each other and a camera man and camera from Channel 8 - Chan TV are filming the event. One of the …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (3 min., 12 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting a bowling tournament at the Digney Bowling Alley at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (address became 6521 Bonsor Avenue after 1958). Two male and female pairs appear to be competing against each other and a camera man and camera from Channel 8 - Chan TV are filming the event. One of the couples are wearing shirts with "Digney Bowl" printed on the back. Ernest "Dig" Digney assists in handing out awards at the end. Joyce Digney is identified working in the kitchen. The camera pans outside where there are two "Channel 8 - Chan TV" buses parked in the parking lot of the Digney Bowl.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.5.2
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5)
Images
Video
Digney Film 3 - Tournament at Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney Film 3 - Tournament at Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_002.mp4Digney Film 3 - Inside Digney Bowling Alley
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10650
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (48 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting the inside of the Digney Bowling Alley. Views of kitchen and counter staff working and serving customers who are gathered at the bar. The camera pans back outside and shows buses parked outside from "Channel / Chan TV. 8". Sign on roof of building reads: "BOWL" and "DIGNE…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (48 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film segment documenting the inside of the Digney Bowling Alley. Views of kitchen and counter staff working and serving customers who are gathered at the bar. The camera pans back outside and shows buses parked outside from "Channel / Chan TV. 8". Sign on roof of building reads: "BOWL" and "DIGNEY" sign hangs vertically out front.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.5.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.5)
- Film segment may have been taken on the same day as BV019.18.4.2
Images
Video
Digney Film 3 - Inside Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney Film 3 - Inside Digney Bowling Alley, [1955] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0005_003.mp4Digney Film 3 - Construction and opening of Digney bowling Alley, visit to Stanley Park and summer vacations
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10678
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in V…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in Vancouver and vacations at Birch Bay, Washington State and Okanagan Lake.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Swan, Sydney
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Digney, Drew
- Digney, Joyce
- Digney, Bruce
- Digney, Paul
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film compilation
- 4 film segments from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby.
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Interview with Norman Dowad
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription19638
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information …
- 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
- 1 sound recording (wav) (61 min., 37 sec.) + 1 sound recording (mp3) (61 min., 37 sec.)
- Material Details
- Interviewer: Eric Damer Interviewee: Norman Dowad Location of Interview: Burnaby Village Museum Interview Date: August 14, 2023 Total Number of tracks: 1 Total Length of all Tracks: 01:14:37 Digital master recording (wav) was converted to mp3 for access on Heritage Burnaby
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a recording of an oral history interview with Norman Dowad conducted by Burnaby Village Museum Registrar, Eric Damer on August 14, 2023. 00:00:00 – 00:14:38 Norm shares biographical information about himself and background information on the Dowad family. Norm conveys information about his grandfather Samuel Dowad's immigration to Canada and his father Wilfred Dowad's military service and successes as a property developer. 00:14:39 – 00:17:26 Norm provides background information on his mother’s side of the family. 00:17:27 – 00:31:36 Norm talks about his childhood, growing up in the Deer Lake neighbourhood, his early education in Burnaby and sports that he played. 00:31:37 – 00:39:59 Norm talks about his educational experiences attending Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia and Osgoode Hall law school and information regarding his law career. 00:40:00 – 00:45:03 Norm reflects on his childhood growing up in Burnaby and on his experiences and relationships as a student and in his career as a lawyer. 00:45:04 – 01:01:37 Norm talks about his siblings and shares information about family property development projects as well as career and business successes. In closing he talks about research that he’s done through Archives Canada on his grandfather Sam Dowad and father Wilfred Dowad.
- History
- Interviewee biography: Norm Dowad was born in Burnaby, December 1948 to parents Wilfred “Wilf” (1925-2011) and Cherry Dowad. His father, Wilfred (1925-2011) was born in Winnipeg to parents Samuel “Sam” (Salim in Arabic) Esper Dowad (1895-1969) and Martha (Shaheen) Dowad (1894-1955). Sam and Martha Dowad were both born in a province of the Ottoman Empire which is now present day Lebanon. In 1912, while trying to immigrate to Canada, several of Sam’s relatives including his mother died tragically as steerage passengers on the ill fated Titanic. In 1913, at the age of 18 years, Sam immigrated to Canada to join other family members who'd already arrived here safely. As a new immigrant in Canada, Sam worked with other Labanese immigrants in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the United States. In December 1921, Sam's wife, Martha immigrated to Canada arriving by ship in St. John, New Brunswick. Sam and Martha established their home in Winnipeg where they began to start a family. Their first two children died in infancy and son Wilfred was born in 1925 and daughter Kathleen was born in 1926. While living in Winnipeg, Sam worked as a grocer and in the 1930’s he got work as a farmer in a nearby town. In 1943, Wilf joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCVNR) and served as a gunner on merchant ships during World War II. In 1945, while Wilf was away serving, his parents, Sam and Martha moved to Burnaby. After discharge in 1945, Wilf joined his parents in Burnaby, began working at Fraser Mills and commenced his studies in construction and drafting. In 1949, with his father’s help Wilf acquired a lot next door to his parents’ home and built his first apartment block. After Martha died in 1954, Sam moved to Kelowna where he bought an orchard. Sam remarried in 1957 to Naomi “Mamie” (David) Dowad (1899-1978) who was also from a Lebanese family. Sam and Mamie lived in Kelowna until the mid 1960s when they moved to White Rock. While living in Burnaby, Wilf met and married Cherry Piggott and the couple had six children; Norm, Bruce, Michael, Kathie, Phil and Tom. In 1955, Wilfred Dowad established "W. Dowad Ltd." and over the years he was successful in developing and subdividing land to build housing and commercial developments in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Wilf was the first president of the Burnaby Winter club and was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce holding office at the local, provincial and national level. In 1970, Wilf purchased 238 acres of land bordering the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh River and relocated there the following year. While living in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Wilf became actively engaged in local business and community affairs. Wilf was later remarried to Grethe Dowad and he died in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh in 2011.Wilf's six children are the sole owners of "W.Dowad Ltd." and his daughter, Kathie Smillie is the president and CEO. While growing up in Burnaby, Norm Dowad attended Schou Street School, Douglas Road School, Kensington School and graduated from Burnaby Central Secondary School. Following graduation from high school, Norm attended Simon Fraser University for one year, travelled in Europe, attended University of British Columbia and obtained his law degree from Osgoode Hall at York University. Norman has been practicing law for 49 years and has his own law practice that he operates out of Vancouver. Interviewer biography: Eric Damer is a Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter, Museum Registrar, Researcher and Blacksmith. Eric pounded hot steel for the first time in 1977 in junior high. Fifteen years later, he joined Burnaby Village Museum where he has smithed for three decades. He also provides historical research for museum exhibits and special projects. Outside the museum, Eric is a social historian with a special interest in educational history.
- Creator
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Subjects
- Agriculture - Farms
- Education
- Persons - South Asian Canadians
- Migration
- Sports
- Sports - Football
- Wars - World War, 1939-1945
- Names
- Dowad, Norman W. "Norm"
- Dowad, Samuel Esper "Sam"
- Dowad, Wilfred "Wilf"
- Dowad, Naomi "Mamie" David
- Dowad, Martha Elias Shaheen
- Dowad, Kathleen "Kay"
- Rideout, Dr. John Anthony
- Burnaby Central Secondary School
- Douglas Road School
- W. Dowad Limited
- Responsibility
- Damer, Eric
- Geographic Access
- Buckingham Avenue
- Deer Lake
- Street Address
- 5533 Buckingham Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV023.16.16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
- Media Type
- Sound Recording
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Morley-Buckingham Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of item
- Transcription available
Documents
Audio Tracks
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
Interview with Norman Dowad, [1890-2023] (interview content), interviewed 14 Aug. 2023
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Sound_Recordings/Oral_Histories/2023_0016_0016_002.mp3