This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby
This portion of the interview is about Sev Morin’s views about Burnaby’s identity and the irrelevance of municipal boundary lines for many functions; his identification of Burnaby’s heritage, ecological and educational “gems”; and musings about the next development phases for Burnaby
Date Range
1950-1990
Photo Info
Sev Morin (left) of Severin's in Burnaby (formerly the Gai Paree) hosting a gala New Year's celebration, 1979. Item no. 480-712
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.
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…
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.
Newspaper clipping glued to verso of photograph reads: "Burnaby centennial pavilion, built in 1958 at which time it was proposed that it would be used as a banquet hall, restaurant and tearoom, may become simply a restaurant under plans being considered by the parks and recreation commission. The parks commission plans to begin resevations about October of this year when the present tenants have vacated."
Stamp on verso of photograph reads: "Basil King Photos"
Photographic postcard of the Centennial Pavilion located in Burnaby Mountain Park. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion, located in Burnaby Mountain Park was built in 1958 to commemorate the centenary of the Province of British Columbia. Numerous view points on be…
Photographic postcard of the Centennial Pavilion located in Burnaby Mountain Park. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion, located in Burnaby Mountain Park was built in 1958 to commemorate the centenary of the Province of British Columbia. Numerous view points on beautifully landscaped grounds provide interesting panoramic views of the lower mainland."
Photographic postcard of the Burnaby Mountain Park sign a Centennial Pavilion. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion was built in 1958 during British Columbia's Centenary. It is situated on Burnaby Mountain at an elevation of 1000 feet. Numerous footpaths througho…
Photographic postcard of the Burnaby Mountain Park sign a Centennial Pavilion. The caption on the back of the postcard reads: "The Centennial Pavilion was built in 1958 during British Columbia's Centenary. It is situated on Burnaby Mountain at an elevation of 1000 feet. Numerous footpaths throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds lead to interesting view points which provide magnificent scenery of Burrard Inlet, Coast Range Mountains, City of Vancouver, and other surrounding Municipalities."
Photographic postcard of the rear portion of the Centennial Pavilion along with a view of some of the landscaping at Burnaby Mountain Park. The caption on the back of the photograph reads: "This park is situated on the western portion of Burnaby Mountain. Numerous view points throughout beautiful…
Photographic postcard of the rear portion of the Centennial Pavilion along with a view of some of the landscaping at Burnaby Mountain Park. The caption on the back of the photograph reads: "This park is situated on the western portion of Burnaby Mountain. Numerous view points throughout beautifully landscaped grounds provide magnificent views of Burrard Inlet, Coast Range Mountains, City of Vancouver and surrounding Municipalities."
Photographic postcard of Robert Burnaby Park and dozens of children swimming in the outdoor pool. The caption on the reverse of the postcard reads: "One of the three 'Z' shaped outdoor swimming pools serving Burnaby residents. Over 250,000 swims are recorded in these swimming facilities during the…
Photographic postcard of Robert Burnaby Park and dozens of children swimming in the outdoor pool. The caption on the reverse of the postcard reads: "One of the three 'Z' shaped outdoor swimming pools serving Burnaby residents. Over 250,000 swims are recorded in these swimming facilities during the summer swim period."
Photograph of the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion under construction. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion under construction. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of the entrance to the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of the entrance to the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of two people carrying oars up a ramp at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of two people carrying oars up a ramp at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of an unidentified woman carrying an oar up a ramp at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
Photograph of an unidentified woman carrying an oar up a ramp at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion. The pavilion and other facilities at Burnaby Lake were built in the early 1970s in preparation for the 1973 Canada Summer Games which were co-hosted in 1973 by Burnaby and New Westminster.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Hastings Bowl at 4437 Hastings Street - a bowling alley owned by Jupiter Bowling Lanes Ltd. The alley is located abover several small shops and restaurants.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
556-221
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2013-13
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Hastings Bowl at 4437 Hastings Street - a bowling alley owned by Jupiter Bowling Lanes Ltd. The alley is located abover several small shops and restaurants.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the South Burnaby Golden Age Society Recreation hall at 5024 Rumble Street. The building was erected by members of the Royal Oak Old Age Pensioners and officially opened October 4, 1954.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
556-406
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2013-13
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the South Burnaby Golden Age Society Recreation hall at 5024 Rumble Street. The building was erected by members of the Royal Oak Old Age Pensioners and officially opened October 4, 1954.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Nordic Centre, located on 6th Street on the corner of 12th Avenue. A billboard advertising its services is attached to the side of the building. A few months after this photo was taken, the Nordic Centre was torn down.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
556-407
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2013-13
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the Nordic Centre, located on 6th Street on the corner of 12th Avenue. A billboard advertising its services is attached to the side of the building. A few months after this photo was taken, the Nordic Centre was torn down.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Bonsor Park Pool, at 4780 Brief Street (old address), between Fern Avenue and Bonsor Avenue. It was building it 1972 and 1973. The pool complex features an olympic size pool, dressing rooms, staff offices and gymnasium style bleachers that seat 250-500 spectators at pool-side.
1 photograph : b&w ; 11 x 16 cm mounted on cardboard
Description Level
Item
Record No.
556-411
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2013-13
Scope and Content
Photograph shows Bonsor Park Pool, at 4780 Brief Street (old address), between Fern Avenue and Bonsor Avenue. It was building it 1972 and 1973. The pool complex features an olympic size pool, dressing rooms, staff offices and gymnasium style bleachers that seat 250-500 spectators at pool-side.