The next person in my fond memories that attended the little church at 3014 Kingsway was a quiet and rather stern man named Dan Dragonoff.
He always sat in the same spot on the left hand side of the church, very close to the front against the wall. He would often shout "Amen!" when something moved him! Sometimes I would jump.
He had a very thick accent and I couldn't understand his speech very well.
He had dark hair and gleaming eyes.
Dan boarded with Dick and Sarah Neufeld who lived at 3338 Monmouth Avenue at the top of our street near Grenfell School.
Once again I found quite a wealth of information on Ancestry.
The above copy of the 1916 Canadian Census shows Dan age 12 living with his family; father Steve Dragonoff, mother Pena Dragonoff both from Bulgaria; and Dan's siblings Anga, Annie and John.
Dan came to Canada in 1912 when he was 8 years old. I wonder how he felt?
The family settled in Eye Hill Municipality in Battleford SK.
His father was a farmer.
On the 1921 Canadian Census they are living in the same place.
Dan is now 16.
This is the 1958 Vancouver BC Voter's list.
Dan is now a labourer living at 1061 W 12th Ave E.
In 1962 Dan is living at 4703 Gothard Street as a city Employee.
1933 USA Border Crossing.
Dan is listed as an independent missionary, traveling with Mr and Mrs. H Peter, apparently to Peru, South America. The document is difficult to read.
On July 2, 1948, Dan was traveling alone by stage, in Blaine, WA.
He had attended a religious convention at the Apostolic Faith in Portland OR for two weeks, and had $55 with him. His last permanent address was in Edmonton Alberta.
It's really interesting all the information one can gather from these archived documents!
I wonder what Dan would think?
It also lists his Father's name and Dan's middle name; Steve.
A copy of Dan Dragonoff's memorial pamphlet from my archives.
The back of Dan's pamphlet giving a brief outline of his life.
In his later years, he had dementia.
I remember he used to enjoy taking long walks around Grenfell School but one day he couldn't remember how to get back home again. As a young girl I couldn't figure it out, and I felt so sorry for him. After that he had to go in a home, until he died at age 76.
One day we will meet again!
By Loretta Williams Houben
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