Charles Bruce Patterson (called Bruce) is recognized in Vancouver and Burnaby as an expert home and school builder. He helped to build his parents home in Burnaby in 1910, known today as Patterson House, and is credited by the City of Burnaby as building the Sperling Avenue school in 1913. He also built many other homes in Burnaby in the early part of the 20th century. He was also a very talented designer of wrought iron work.
At the onset of World War One, Bruce enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders in Vancouver, but was reassigned due to having feet deemed too flat to serve in the trenches. Instead, his skills were put to work in the construction of ships to benefit the war effort. He was quickly given the position of foreman for the New Westminster Construction and Engineering Company. Here, he built war ships for France and oversaw the construction of Canadian supply vessels to support Canada's contribution to the war. This large ship building operation took place at New Westminster's Poplar Island site. Bruce's official letter of service is now at the New Westminster Museum, and his panoramic photo of the shipyard has been donated to the New Westminster Archives and can be viewed online.
In 1920, Bruce became the proprietor of the Imperial Garage, which was located at 1233 Hornby Street, in Vancouver. By 1926, Bruce operated the Browns Garage, which was located at 634 Howe Street, Vancouver. Here, Bruce, along with the other men in his employ, would meet and greet their customers, and check their cars in for service and other repairs. He continued to to operate this business through the 1940s.
In 1936, after winning a bond at the Pacific National Exhibition, Bruce and his wife purchased a lot at 2743 West 29th avenue in Vancouver. Here, they built a beautiful ginger bread style tudor revival home. Their next family home, built in the storybook architectural style in 1940, was then constructed at 3578 Quesnel Drive. Bruce had a passion and skill for both architecture and construction, and went on to build and renovate several more homes over the years. He also designed and planted beautiful gardens to go with these homes.
After his time at Browns Garage, Bruce decided to open a smaller version of his father's iron works on Granville Island in the early 1950s. He named it Vulcan Metal Works Ltd. His shop first rented space in the Arrow Transfer Building, but by 1951, he decided to relocate his shop to 1632 West 4th avenue, Vancouver. Here, he made iron railings for various homes, churches and apartment buildings. Bruce also made wrought iron headboards, patio furniture, plant stands, shelving, and unique hat and coat stands, which he called hall trees. Examples of his work can be found from Victoria to Ottawa. In latter years, Bruce was given a contract to build metal stretchers for first aid rooms. Incidentally, the Arrow Transfer Building, later became the home of renown eatery Bridges Restaurant.
In 1947, Bruce and Elva moved to West Vancouver. Here, they purchased a home that was up for sale by the city in a land tax sale. The home, located at 3434 Marine Drive, in the West Bay neighbourhood was a simple 2 bedroom cottage built in 1928. It was located on a large view lot, and was only a few steps to the beach. Bruce renovated this home, and created a third bedroom in the basement. Bruce and Elva lived there happily until they sold the home in 1962. Their final move would take them to Richmond, BC. Here they built a ranch style home, located at 1056 Finlayson Drive, with their daughter Doreen and husband Bill. The address was later changed to 255 Shell Road to accommodate Vulcan Metal Works, Bruce's welding shop, which he relocated from the West 4th avenue location.
Bruce had many diverse interests during his life. He enjoyed home building, auto mechanics, welding, engineering, shipbuilding, travel, architecture, history, and gardening. He also gave back to his community through his work with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge (IOOF), and served a term as Grand Patriarch of British Columbia. Bruce also had a passion for photography, and was known for taking pictures which captured early Vancouver and Burnaby. His vast photographic collection, dating from 1910, has been donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Many of his early photos can now be viewed on the Heritage Burnaby website.
Bruce married Elva Eleanore Elliott in Vancouver, BC, on July 17th, 1918. After Elva passed away, Bruce married for a second time at the age of 82. He married Martha May (Bird) Summers in Vancouver on April 26th, 1974. After a full life, Bruce died in 1979 in Richmond, BC at the age of 87.
Biography by Raymond Reitsma
Charles Bruce Patterson (called Bruce) is recognized in Vancouver and Burnaby as an expert home and school builder. He helped to build his parents home in Burnaby in 1910, known today as Patterson House, and is credited by the City of Burnaby as building the Sperling Avenue school in 1913. He also built many other homes in Burnaby in the early part of the 20th century. He was also a very talented designer of wrought iron work.
At the onset of World War One, Bruce enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders in Vancouver, but was reassigned due to having feet deemed too flat to serve in the trenches. Instead, his skills were put to work in the construction of ships to benefit the war effort. He was quickly given the position of foreman for the New Westminster Construction and Engineering Company. Here, he built war ships for France and oversaw the construction of Canadian supply vessels to support Canada's contribution to the war. This large ship building operation took place at New Westminster's Poplar Island site. Bruce's official letter of service is now at the New Westminster Museum, and his panoramic photo of the shipyard has been donated to the New Westminster Archives and can be viewed online.
In 1920, Bruce became the proprietor of the Imperial Garage, which was located at 1233 Hornby Street, in Vancouver. By 1926, Bruce operated the Browns Garage, which was located at 634 Howe Street, Vancouver. Here, Bruce, along with the other men in his employ, would meet and greet their customers, and check their cars in for service and other repairs. He continued to to operate this business through the 1940s.
In 1936, after winning a bond at the Pacific National Exhibition, Bruce and his wife purchased a lot at 2743 West 29th avenue in Vancouver. Here, they built a beautiful ginger bread style tudor revival home. Their next family home, built in the storybook architectural style in 1940, was then constructed at 3578 Quesnel Drive. Bruce had a passion and skill for both architecture and construction, and went on to build and renovate several more homes over the years. He also designed and planted beautiful gardens to go with these homes.
After his time at Browns Garage, Bruce decided to open a smaller version of his father's iron works on Granville Island in the early 1950s. He named it Vulcan Metal Works Ltd. His shop first rented space in the Arrow Transfer Building, but by 1951, he decided to relocate his shop to 1632 West 4th avenue, Vancouver. Here, he made iron railings for various homes, churches and apartment buildings. Bruce also made wrought iron headboards, patio furniture, plant stands, shelving, and unique hat and coat stands, which he called hall trees. Examples of his work can be found from Victoria to Ottawa. In latter years, Bruce was given a contract to build metal stretchers for first aid rooms. Incidentally, the Arrow Transfer Building, later became the home of renown eatery Bridges Restaurant.
In 1947, Bruce and Elva moved to West Vancouver. Here, they purchased a home that was up for sale by the city in a land tax sale. The home, located at 3434 Marine Drive, in the West Bay neighbourhood was a simple 2 bedroom cottage built in 1928. It was located on a large view lot, and was only a few steps to the beach. Bruce renovated this home, and created a third bedroom in the basement. Bruce and Elva lived there happily until they sold the home in 1962. Their final move would take them to Richmond, BC. Here they built a ranch style home, located at 1056 Finlayson Drive, with their daughter Doreen and husband Bill. The address was later changed to 255 Shell Road to accommodate Vulcan Metal Works, Bruce's welding shop, which he relocated from the West 4th avenue location.
Bruce had many diverse interests during his life. He enjoyed home building, auto mechanics, welding, engineering, shipbuilding, travel, architecture, history, and gardening. He also gave back to his community through his work with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge (IOOF), and served a term as Grand Patriarch of British Columbia. Bruce also had a passion for photography, and was known for taking pictures which captured early Vancouver and Burnaby. His vast photographic collection, dating from 1910, has been donated to the Burnaby Village Museum. Many of his early photos can now be viewed on the Heritage Burnaby website.
Bruce married Elva Eleanore Elliott in Vancouver, BC, on July 17th, 1918. After Elva passed away, Bruce married for a second time at the age of 82. He married Martha May (Bird) Summers in Vancouver on April 26th, 1974. After a full life, Bruce died in 1979 in Richmond, BC at the age of 87.
Biography by Raymond Reitsma
Gravesite Details
Buried on Mar-02-1979
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
