People Archives | Page 4 of 7 | Sweat Equity – The Grimsby Homebuilding Co-operative 1953

Community Recognition

The Grimsby Independent covered the event with a full page spread on the history of their co-operative build including archival photos. Some of the builders are seen gathered […]

Walter Muise, burns the mortgages

Once the speeches were given, Rev. Derwyn Hill, an original builder who was later ordained, led the “Benediction and Burning” of the mortgages. Could the co-operators have imagined […]

Co-op son and daughter celebrate the 25th anniversary

Rick Muise and sister Carolin celebrate as their Dad Walter happily burns his paid-up 25-year mortgage. Hurray! It was on this anniversary that many of the co-op sons […]

Father Marrocco and fellow priests blessed each of the 14 homes.

Father Marrocco had inspired the co-op movement in Ontario in 1952, through the work of his students at the Institute of Social Action. By 1955 he was visiting […]

The whole gang on the steps

There were different age cohorts within the kid community. The older kids had moved in at age 9 or 10, though most were only 2 or 3. A […]

Bill and Joanne in the neighbourhood

The children of the co-op found endless opportunities for outdoor play – back and front yards when they were younger, but as they grew, the shoreline of the […]

A kids’ world of play

This photo best illustrates why the families studied, built and endured. How poignant that the children are digging together, and how wonderful they have the space and […]

Jim Denvir, Citizen of the year, 1986

Jim Denvir was among a group of St. Joseph’s parishioners who helped in the community, both in and outside of the congregation. At first, they collected food, storing […]

Dorothy and Pat with their children

Co-operative homebuilding required the strong alliance of husband and wife as well as the teamwork of the men who would build together. The wives were vigilant on the […]

Homes and neighbours

A sense of community had begun when they first gathered in 1953. The culmination of their study, work and co-operation was a well-built home and a fine community […]

Lunch break on the site

Most often the men would rush home to eat before heading out to the site. On an early spring day, these fellows enjoyed a welcome snack at break […]

The Lakedale Co-operators

Doug Wilson of the Lakedale group captured colour photos of his fellow co-operators. Together with photos collected from families and footage by John Blake of Sherbrien-Cathedral Heights co-op, […]