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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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
Photograph of four children standing alongside the Seaforth School building. All four are wearing hats on their heads and all are unidentified, although a note on the back of the print reads: "Reading stories play."
Photograph of four children standing alongside the Seaforth School building. All four are wearing hats on their heads and all are unidentified, although a note on the back of the print reads: "Reading stories play."
Photograph of three children standing alongside the Seaforth School building - all are unidentified and appear to be wearing masks or costumes for a school play.
Photograph of three children standing alongside the Seaforth School building - all are unidentified and appear to be wearing masks or costumes for a school play.
Photograph of a group of six children standing on the steps of the Seaforth School building. All six are wearing big masks on their foreheads and all are unidentified.
Photograph of a group of six children standing on the steps of the Seaforth School building. All six are wearing big masks on their foreheads and all are unidentified.
Photograph of two girls standing in front of the Seaforth School building. Both girls are wearing costumes and holding books in front of them, but neither have been identified.
Photograph of two girls standing in front of the Seaforth School building. Both girls are wearing costumes and holding books in front of them, but neither have been identified.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.
1 photograph : b&w ; 2.8 x 4.9 cm print on contact sheet 20.1 x 26.3 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
370-752
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
BHS1999-03
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jack Nichols in costume for a May Day parade. He is standing on a vacant lot between Nelson Avenue and Royal Oak Avenue beside a wagon decorated with a picture of a lion.