This should be at the top
Before they were grandparents, they were right on schedule. This amazing shot is one my all time favourites in my vintage photo collection. From the nearly identical looks on each man’s face, to the superb fashion of the man on the right, and of course we can’t forget about this truck. You just know that even back in this era a delivery guarantee was something you could hang your hat on. -Anthony M.

Before they were grandparents, they were right on schedule.

This amazing shot is one my all time favourites in my vintage photo collection. From the nearly identical looks on each man’s face, to the superb fashion of the man on the right, and of course we can’t forget about this truck. You just know that even back in this era a delivery guarantee was something you could hang your hat on.

-Anthony M.

Before they were grandparents, they were off to market. This photo has been passed around our family for a few years now. My grandmother found it at a yard sale several years ago and was convinced her grandmother is the woman about to cross the street. Even if this is just a photo without any familial ties, we’ve put a lot of our family history into it. And that makes it special. -Madison N.

Before they were grandparents, they were off to market.

This photo has been passed around our family for a few years now. My grandmother found it at a yard sale several years ago and was convinced her grandmother is the woman about to cross the street. Even if this is just a photo without any familial ties, we’ve put a lot of our family history into it. And that makes it special.

-Madison N.

Before they were grandparents, they had two left feet. I am so happy someone snapped this photo back in the ’40s. The boy on the chair? That’s my grandfather. It looks like he’s not into dancing but he confided in me that he was always jealous of the guys who could dance. “They always seemed to woo the girls”, he said. Since he told me that, I’ve noticed two things: 1- I could use a dance instructor. 2- He was right. -Barry H. 

Before they were grandparents, they had two left feet.

I am so happy someone snapped this photo back in the ’40s. The boy on the chair? That’s my grandfather. It looks like he’s not into dancing but he confided in me that he was always jealous of the guys who could dance. “They always seemed to woo the girls”, he said. Since he told me that, I’ve noticed two things:

1- I could use a dance instructor. 
2- He was right.

-Barry H. 

Before they were grandparents, they were causing a racquet. Tennis has been a long standing tradition for my family. Lessons, coaching, doubles, singles - we do it all and we can thank my grandfather for this familial passion. He had never picked up a racquet until his 22nd birthday in 1943, but after one game he said he felt like he had played for a lifetime.  -Danny B.

Before they were grandparents, they were causing a racquet.

Tennis has been a long standing tradition for my family. Lessons, coaching, doubles, singles - we do it all and we can thank my grandfather for this familial passion. He had never picked up a racquet until his 22nd birthday in 1943, but after one game he said he felt like he had played for a lifetime. 

-Danny B.

Before they were grandparents, they were beach bums. With summer around the corner, and more and more Vancouverites flocking to Kits Beach on the weekend, I can’t help but think of this photo. It was one of my grandmother’s favourite photos, though I don’t think she is actually pictured in it. But it doesn’t matter to me - it just doesn’t feel like summer until I look at it. -Kelly E.

Before they were grandparents, they were beach bums.

With summer around the corner, and more and more Vancouverites flocking to Kits Beach on the weekend, I can’t help but think of this photo. It was one of my grandmother’s favourite photos, though I don’t think she is actually pictured in it. But it doesn’t matter to me - it just doesn’t feel like summer until I look at it.

-Kelly E.

Before they were grandparents, they were champions Before Dan was a grandfather, he was a few other things, including someone else’s grandson, but that is another story. He was a boy and son, student, athlete, scholar, student some more, graduated from UBC as a Food Scientist and worked in Research at General Foods (Ontario), husband, became a student again (Guelph) and then again (UBC), then started working with his shiny new PhD, yes in Food Science, for the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia).  Somewhere around the end of being a student Dan became a father and after starting work, father again a couple more times. To be a grandfather, first you gotta be a Dad. He was a researcher, then research manager (BC) and all the while was running all over the place, literally - even doing a marathon. Somewhat to his own surprise he found himself a diplomat over in Brussels. Later he left the government for industry but the research/research management theme continued, as did the running – even though he and his wife lived in Malaysia for almost two years. He invented stuff and wrote things, lots of things, but mostly scientific and technical. He traveled for work and fun, and just kept running (over 20 countries now, racing in four). In 2003 he retired, but kept running and kept writing – a book and a blog called Running in the Zone, and took up coaching and race directing. Then it happened. In 2006 Charlie was born and Dan was a Grandfather. But, he kept running and writing and then was discovered and became an actor! Now, here he is – a story teller. - We’d like to thank Dan for this fantastic guest post. If you live in the Vancouver BC area and would like to hear Dan tell one of his stories in person, RSVP to our “Before they were grandparents…” live event this Thursday!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions

Before Dan was a grandfather, he was a few other things, including someone else’s grandson, but that is another story. He was a boy and son, student, athlete, scholar, student some more, graduated from UBC as a Food Scientist and worked in Research at General Foods (Ontario), husband, became a student again (Guelph) and then again (UBC), then started working with his shiny new PhD, yes in Food Science, for the Research Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Nova Scotia). 

Somewhere around the end of being a student Dan became a father and after starting work, father again a couple more times. To be a grandfather, first you gotta be a Dad. He was a researcher, then research manager (BC) and all the while was running all over the place, literally - even doing a marathon. Somewhat to his own surprise he found himself a diplomat over in Brussels. Later he left the government for industry but the research/research management theme continued, as did the running – even though he and his wife lived in Malaysia for almost two years. He invented stuff and wrote things, lots of things, but mostly scientific and technical. He traveled for work and fun, and just kept running (over 20 countries now, racing in four).

In 2003 he retired, but kept running and kept writing – a book and a blog called Running in the Zone, and took up coaching and race directing. Then it happened. In 2006 Charlie was born and Dan was a Grandfather. But, he kept running and writing and then was discovered and became an actor! Now, here he is – a story teller.

- We’d like to thank Dan for this fantastic guest post. If you live in the Vancouver BC area and would like to hear Dan tell one of his stories in person, RSVP to our “Before they were grandparents…” live event this Thursday!

Before they were grandparents, they were champions. Barry and Louise Soper caught the attention of the figure skating world as early as 1967 when they won the national novice ice dance title. It proved to be the first in a long line of Canadian championships. In an eight year span, Barry and Louise won the ice dance title six times and finished third the other two times. In accomplishing this remarkable feat, they became the first Canadian skaters to win Canadian titles in all three categories: senior, junior and novice. They were also the first Canadian team to win the senior national ice dance title in more than three consecutive years. Nor were they stangers to the international scene, competing in the world figure skating championships four consecutive times, from 1971 to 1974. They also represented Canada in the North American championships and took part in a number of special competitions. Barry and Louise are now proud members of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and will guests speakers at our event on April 26, “Before they were grandparents, they were legends” Vancouver’ Athlete’s Village. If you would like to join us, please RSVP here! (from BC Sports Hall of Fame)

Before they were grandparents, they were champions.

Barry and Louise Soper caught the attention of the figure skating world as early as 1967 when they won the national novice ice dance title. It proved to be the first in a long line of Canadian championships. In an eight year span, Barry and Louise won the ice dance title six times and finished third the other two times. In accomplishing this remarkable feat, they became the first Canadian skaters to win Canadian titles in all three categories: senior, junior and novice.

They were also the first Canadian team to win the senior national ice dance title in more than three consecutive years. Nor were they stangers to the international scene, competing in the world figure skating championships four consecutive times, from 1971 to 1974. They also represented Canada in the North American championships and took part in a number of special competitions. Barry and Louise are now proud members of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and will guests speakers at our event on April 26, “Before they were grandparents, they were legends” Vancouver’ Athlete’s Village. If you would like to join us, please RSVP here!

(from BC Sports Hall of Fame)

Before they were grandparents, they were champions. James Leo Heximer, known as Buddy by his friends and fans, began his baseball career playing minor ball in Niagara Falls. He started off with the St. Stephen’s Midgets, who won the city championship, and progressed through juvenile and junior ball. In the summer of 1942, Buddy played for the Niagara Falls Rainbow Seniors, coached by Max Kaminsky, and in the winter played junior B hockey.  Buddy joined the Royal Canadian Navy team in 1943, helping to win three consecutive Maritime championships in 1943,1944, and 1945. Buddy was chosen most valuable player in the 1945 series.  While playing for the St. Mary’s Halifax junior A team in 1944, Buddy was scouted by many professional baseball teams including the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During 1946 and 1947, he played for the Kingston Ponies in the Border League, where he had the team’s top batting average. Buddy was signed by the Boston Braves of the Eastern League in 1948, and played with the Hartford Chiefs. He then played for the Quebec City Braves in the Canadian-American League, winning the pennant and playoffs in 1949.  Returning to Niagara Falls in 1953, Buddy rounded off his career by playing baseball and hockey with the Cataract and Kerrio teams, and coaching and refereeing. For his contribution to minor ball in Niagara Falls, Buddy was awarded the Mayor Miller Trophy in 1964. -Lizzy K. 

Before they were grandparents, they were champions.

James Leo Heximer, known as Buddy by his friends and fans, began his baseball career playing minor ball in Niagara Falls. He started off with the St. Stephen’s Midgets, who won the city championship, and progressed through juvenile and junior ball. In the summer of 1942, Buddy played for the Niagara Falls Rainbow Seniors, coached by Max Kaminsky, and in the winter played junior B hockey. 

Buddy joined the Royal Canadian Navy team in 1943, helping to win three consecutive Maritime championships in 1943,1944, and 1945. Buddy was chosen most valuable player in the 1945 series. 

While playing for the St. Mary’s Halifax junior A team in 1944, Buddy was scouted by many professional baseball teams including the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During 1946 and 1947, he played for the Kingston Ponies in the Border League, where he had the team’s top batting average. Buddy was signed by the Boston Braves of the Eastern League in 1948, and played with the Hartford Chiefs. He then played for the Quebec City Braves in the Canadian-American League, winning the pennant and playoffs in 1949. 

Returning to Niagara Falls in 1953, Buddy rounded off his career by playing baseball and hockey with the Cataract and Kerrio teams, and coaching and refereeing. For his contribution to minor ball in Niagara Falls, Buddy was awarded the Mayor Miller Trophy in 1964.

-Lizzy K.