Bill Lightbown: “I Always Worked Against the Laws and Rules and Regulations”
Bill Lighbown (b. 1927) shares compelling memories of standing up for his Aboriginal rights, going to jail and meeting the love of …
Shirley Chan: “I Cried Because I Lost My Library”
Shirley Chan (b. 1952) grew up in Strathcona. She reminisces about her childhood games and the pain of losing her beloved neighbourhood …
Five Longshoremen Discuss the Shipyards and the Unions
Longshoremen Dave Lomas, John Cordocedo, Arthur Marshall, Les Copan, and Frank Kennedy share their experiences as members of the International Longshoreman and …
Ruth Kozak: Life, Love and Work for a 1950s East Van Girl
Historical fiction writer Ruth Kozak (b. 1934) offers a very detailed picture of post-war East Vancouver through the eyes of a hopeful …
Chef Albert McKewan Survived a Tragic Shipwreck
Before becoming a restaurateur, Albert McKewan (b. 1929) worked as a chef on boats and tankers- including one job that that ended …
Olive Cairns: ‘They Did Dumb Things with Women in Those Days’
Olive Cairns (b. 1916) remembers her youth as a Nabob factory girl and her struggles to keep a job and run a …
Raymond Culos: “I Am Canadian-Italian, so ‘Canadian’ Comes First”
Raymond Culos (b. 1936), Vancouver born first-generation Canadian-Italian writer and historian, talks about his Italian connection and his memories of the 1950s. …
Sam Buonassisi: ‘If You Don’t Adapt in Retail, You’re Dead’
Sam Buonassisi (b. 1936) immigrated from Italy in 1953. Now a successful business owner on the Drive, he explains the importance of …
Jack Burch on the Depression, the War and His Career in the Press
Jack Burch (b. 1922) remembers his childhood in the Depression era, his days as a bomber pilot in World War II and …
Bill Newton: “As Kids, We Made Our Own Entertainment”
Bill Newton (b. 1930) moved to Vancouver in 1934. Today, he shares with us a few illustrative details of his East Van …
