- Ottawa Jewish Archives
- Ottawa Jewish Historical Society fonds
- The Gould Family
The Gould Family
Description only — contact the archive7
- Held by
- Ottawa Jewish Archives via Canadian Jewish Heritage Network (incl. Alex Dworkin Canadian Jewish Archives)
- Dates
- 2007 (indexed as 2007)
- Level
- item
- Scope & content
- Subject: The Gould Family Interviewer: N/A Date: October 29, 2007 Interview Location: Ottawa, ON Length of Time: 57:18 **trigger warning: mentions of suicide** -Ron is speaking about the lives of his parents Hy and Lilian as well as the Gould family. -Ron’s Grandfather is ABraham Gould who was born in 1873 in Lithuania. Upon coming to Canada he married Anna Horowitz. The two lived in Montreal and worked in the hotel business. They eventually sold the hotel and moved to Ottawa; the two opened a shoe store on Bank Street and lived at 416 Louis street. -In 1912 Abraham and Anna had 7 children and Anna was pregnant with their 8th. At this time Ron’s father Hy was 7 years old. **Hy went to visit his father in the show shop and unfortunately discovered Abraham after he had committed suicicde. Abraham’s oldest son was very sick with Typhoid fever and Abraham wrote that he could not live with the worry of losing his son.** -Ben eventually recovered and lived until 1969. -Anna Gould raised her 8 children and passed away in 1955 at the age of 84. -The oldest son Ben moved to New York, Married his wife Betty, and died in 1969. Alec, the second son, was born in 1900, moved to New York where he married his wife Irene, worked in the lumber business, and died in 1981. Holly, the eldest daughter, was born in 1902, moved to New York in 1920, married her husband Henry, had 2 children, and died in 1979. Sylvia was born in 1904, she lived in Ottawa all her life, worked in a shoe store, had 2 children, and died in 2006 at the age of 102. Rose was born in 1908, worked for the government, cared for her mother Anna, and died in 1982. Lillian, Ron’s aunt, was born in 1909, worked in a store on bank Street, cared for her mother Anna, and after Anna’s death moved to the United States, and married her husband Jack. The youngest Victor was born in 1912, married his wife Rachel, worked in the camera business, had 2 children, and died in 1990. -Ron’s father Hy was born in 1905 and had an elementary school education before having to work to support the family; however, he was a large proponent of self education throughout his life. His first job was as a messenger boy for a camera shop and he worked his way up to a manager position. -in 1923 Hy met Lilian Levine. Lilian was born in 1904 and attended lisgar collegiate, followed by teachers college and Columbia University with a specialization in Preschool Education. The two courted from 1924-1928 and frequently exchanged love letters. The two eloped in Toronto on December 31st, 1928. -Hy and Lilian had 2 children, Ellen and Ron. Ellen passed away in infancy and the Gould’s decided to not have more children so as not to go through the possibility of losing another child. -The family lived at 411 Besserer Street for most of Ron’s life, and then at 425 Hinton Ave. -Hy and Lilian were married for 67 years. Hy passed away in 1995 and Lilian passed away in 1997. -Ron talks about Lilian and Hy’s close friends, Lilian’s work with education, her many organizations and council’s, and her work opening the first preschool in Ottawa. -In 1928 Hy’s uncle rented him a shop on bank Street and the couple opened their camera and gift store. In 1931 Hy expanded to include alendign library which operated into the 1940’s. -Hy and his brother Victor worked closely together all their lives. The two opened 3 camera and gift stores across Ottawa. -Ron discusses how the death of Abraham affected Hy; Hy became very involved in the jewish Community Cemetery and was the chairman for 17 years. Hy also worked in the jewish community through charity work as wella s many citizens groups across Ottawa. In 1982 he was awarded the Gilbert Greenberg Distinguished Service Award for his work. -Ron concludes by discussing the love his parents had for each other. -There is then a question period followed by the playing of a video of Hy and Lilian. END OF TAPE
- Location
- avenue Hinton · street · confidence 50% · street · found as “Hinton Ave.”
Where
More details
- Genre / form
- sound recording
- Format
- Audio
- Harvested
- 2026-10-17T20:12:50Z · source datestamp n/a · cjhn