North Bay PEOPLE & PLACES mentioned in the Life Notes of Gord Allison

Gord Allison, my grandfather, was the owner and proprietor of North Bay's Allison the Bookman. He was born 17 March 1923 in North Bay and lived there the majority of his life. His father Arthur came to North Bay/Widdifield in 1919 and lived there till his death in the 1950s. The life notes of Gord's were written during the 1980s while things were still very much clear in his mind as he had an amazing gift for remembering people and places from his life. The following is taken from his notes about his life. Gord Allison passed away 4 April 1995 of Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Not sure how many people knew that there were actual "gangs" in North Bay during the 1920s and 30s, well they were children "gangs". The gangs he mentions are the "Downtown" gang (also known as the Fisher St. gang), "Regina St." gang, the "Y" gang, and the "West End" Gang who mainly lived on the east end of McIntyre & Worthington. The main opponents of the Fisher St. Gang were the "Y" gang. DOWNTOWN Gang known as the Fisher St. Gang (1930s) Gordie Stevens Kenny Hamilton Howie Blair Derrick Jennings Morris Freedman Morris Herman Bill Brown Gord Allison REGINA ST. Gang Sid Tomkins Art Brimley Murray Cragg Ronny Cook Jack Whittinghem Bill Whittinghem Roy Fraser Ed Nicholson Wilfred? McCauley Pat Doyle Earl Bonany Don Hedican? Frank May Harry Meecham

Gord mentions little stories he recalled from his youth quite a bit throughout the piece, these are names he mentioned: Abe & Flo Brooks (Their children: Gordon & Annie Brooks) Gordon Brooks children: Bonnie Brooks (she had her own TV Show called "The Bonnie Brooks Show") and Patsy Brooks. Billy Griffith John & Alice Tomkins Evelyn Cragg (sister of Murray Cragg in the Regina St. Gang) Bob Desarmeaux? Dr. Bernard Walbourn & Davidson (Painting business) Jack Nelson (Capital Theater Manager) Mr. Mercer (small house by Chippewa Creek) Jim (James) Van Alstyne (of Widdifield, Gord's uncle) Mr. Cragg (made homemade kites for the kids) Kenny Boland Brownlee's Store Derrick Jennings was Gord's best friend in childhood but he passed away during World War II where I believe he was a pilot who went MIA. Gord named his son after him. His name is on the wall at Memorial Park by the Legion on First Ave.