Our Stories

very old car in black and white

William James “Bill” Neal: Richmond Hill’s First Mayor and Automotive Visionary

1897–1979 Elgin Mills Cemetery Section 8 Lot 74 William James Neal, born in Vaughan Township to James Neal and Maria Louisa Agar, grew up in rural
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A duotone image in black and yellow showing a young man with his arms crossed, looking slightly upward with a sense of optimism. A sign on the wall behind him reads "Watch for upcoming productions".

Walter Grealis and Stan Klees: The Godfathers of CanCon

A detailed black-and-white illustration of a grave monument featuring a tall Celtic cross atop a pedestal in a cemetery setting. The inscription on the monument reads “Jane Ewart, wife of Sir Oliver Mowat,” with dates below, and the base is engraved “MOWAT.” Leafless trees and shrubs surround the grave, and another monument marked “Eaton” appears in the background,

Oliver Mowat: Architect of Ontario’s Autonomy

A vintage sepia-toned portrait of a man dressed in formal 19th‑century attire, including a dark coat, waistcoat, white shirt, and large bow tie. The photograph shows age-related wear, such as fading and textured marks, giving it an antique appearance.

Joseph Bloore: The Man Behind Bloor Street

portrait of a man with a long grey beard

George Leslie: A Visionary Who Shaped Toronto’s Green Spaces

hill with crosses and a pole with the Canadian flag

Veterans Hill: Honouring Service and Sacrifice

Simple black‑and‑white line drawing showing a person standing at a podium reading from a sheet of paper, facing a small group of seated, doll‑like or scarecrow‑style figures with round heads and straw‑like hair. The figures appear loosely posed, creating a whimsical, hand‑drawn scene.

Shaunt Basmajian: A Voice for Canadian Poetry

A street scene featuring colorful storefronts, including Sam the Record Man and Steele’s Tavern. Pedestrians walk across the street in the foreground, while others stand near the shop entrances. Bright signage and busy façades create a lively urban atmosphere.

Steele Basil: The Man Behind Toronto’s Legendary Tavern

St. Andrew’s Society Cairn, a tall stone obelisk rising from a circular base of stacked grey stones with an inscribed plaque, set on a grassy slope and framed by mature trees beneath a clear blue sky.

St. Andrew’s Society Cairn: A Monument to Scottish Heritage

big monument in snow

John Ewart: Upper Canada’s First Architect

Snow‑covered cemetery scene showing three adjacent grave markers bearing the names Massey and Hewitt. The stones are partially buried in snow and set among dense winter shrubs and leafless trees, creating a quiet, enclosed landscape.

Foster Hewitt: The Voice that Made Hockey Canadian

headshot of a man in a suit sitting in a chair

John Ross Robertson: Journalist, Reformer and Champion of Amateur Sport

old drawing of a restaurant exterior

Beverly Randolph Snow: A Legacy of Resilience and Equity

A vintage black‑and‑white portrait of Marion Alice Powell-Orr wearing a peaked cap with an insignia and a dark military jacket. The jacket features a winged badge on the chest and shoulder markings. The person is posed against a softly lit studio backdrop.

Marion Alice Powell-Orr: Breaking Barriers in the Skies

gravestone of Kay Christie

Kay Christie: A Nurse’s Courage in Captivity

really old skates

Percy Johnston: A Life on Ice

Snow‑covered cemetery scene featuring the McCain family marker, a low black granite headstone set against a wooded hillside. A green memorial wreath with a red bow rests in front of the stone, with trees and snow‑covered ground surrounding the grave in winter.

Wallace McCain: A Legacy of Canadian Enterprise

View of the Toronto Crematorium Chapel, a Gothic‑style stone building with a tall central tower, seen through tree branches and a wrought‑iron fence in a leafy, sunlit setting.

Cremation Centre: A Turning Point in Ontario’s Funeral History

Color photograph of Carley Allison seated cross-legged on a neatly made bed in a bright, cozy bedroom. The room is decorated with light blue walls, patterned pillows, and a small stuffed animal resting on the bed. Behind the bed, a large bulletin board and wall space are densely covered with handwritten notes, cards, photos, and keepsakes. Framed artwork hangs on the walls, and the overall setting feels personal, intimate, and reflective, suggesting a space filled with memories and support.

Carley Elle Allison: Always Smile

Black‑and‑white photograph of a military aircraft flying above patchwork farmland and clouds. The twin‑engine plane bears Royal Air Force roundels on its wings and fuselage and is shown in flight from a side angle, with clouds stretching across the horizon below.

Robert “Bob” Billo McIntyre: Innovator in Canadian Aviation

man playing piano

Glenn Gould: The Pianist Who Redefined Classical Music