Robert John Coates was born on December 30, 1908 on the home farm in the Elm Valley district. He took his schooling at Elm Valley and Virden. He received Bachelor of Science of Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Manitoba. Bob married Margaret Grace Cullen (1915-2007) in 1936 and together they had two children: Karen and John. Bob began his teaching career as principal in Pierson, MB, later moving to Ninga as principal. During the Second World War he joined the RCAF, serving as a navigation officer and teaching pilots in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. After the war, the family moved to Brandon where Bob taught at Brandon Collegiate Institute (BCI), Earl Haig, Earl Oxford and was principal at Central School. He was the first principal at Green Acres School, teaching there until retiring in 1973. Bob was made a Brandon Diocesan Layreader of the Anglican Church and spent years taking services throughout the Diocese.
Bob served as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society, Brandon Local, The Western Manitoba Teacher's Association, the Brandon PC Association and the UN Association. He also served as executive member of the International School Masters Club, The Manitoba Teachers' Society Pensions Committee, Men's Canadian Club and the Westman Oral History Association. He served as Chairman of the Local MTS Pension Committee and on the board of directors of Hobbs Manor. Bob was a lifetime member of the Mantioba Teachers' Society and the Brandon Teachers' Society, as well as a charter member of the Assiniboine Historical Society, the Daly House Museum, and the Commonwealth Air Training Museum. He was also a member of The Monarchist League of Canada and Royal Canadian Legion No. 3. At the time of his death Bob was an honourary Vestryman at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Robert Coates died on March 10, 1990 in Brandon, MB. He is buriedat Rosewood Memorial Gardens.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Robert Coates about the history of St. Matthew's Anglican Cathedral, Brandon. Interviewer is Irene Heeney.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Coates' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
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Roy Gordon Coates was born on July 23, 1920 in Brandon, MB. He attended King George, Earl Haig and Central schools in the city. Following school, he began a career with the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1939. Due to illness he was forced to retire in 1979. Roy married Thelma Cunningham (1922-1949) in 1942. In 1952, he married Norma Jean Orser (1932-?) in Souris, MB and together they had a daughter, Brenda Colleen. Roy was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, Local 1113, the Orange Lodge, Sons of Ulster No. 1512, St. Paul's United Church, and later First Presbyterian Church where he served as superindent of Sunday school. He enjoyed gof, fishing and music. In retirment he became active with the Hillcrest Adult Day Club. Roy Coates died on July 12, 1985 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Brandon Municipal Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with Roy Gordon Coates about the Coates' family association with the CPR. Interviewer is Marjorie Lange.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and Coates' obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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The winter carnival was composed of recreational and athletic activities. It also included a dance and the crowning of a carnival king and queen.
Scope and Content
Photograph of students on an ice rink taken during Brandon University's winter carnival. The partially visible hockey player is Mel Jesson. To the right is the winter carnival mascot.
Brandon University Midwinter Seminar. L-R Marlene Bilous (chairman); Ross Dawson; Penny Simpson; Bruce Howard M.P.; George Fairweather M.P.; Eileen McFadden; Claude Lernlin; Arthur Andrew; S.R. Roy; Charles Burchill
Greg Coates has held the following positions at Brandon University: Lab Instructor for the Psychology Department (mid 1970s), Director of Human Resources (c.1979 - c.1984) and Student Services staff (1985-present).
