Initially, The Church of the Advent on the Pritchard Avenue site was just a basement built in 1914 and used for services. A very basic church building was constructed above the structure in 1923 and upgraded over time. The basement became the church hall. A house on Delemere Avenue was purchased in 1948 to serve as a rectory. The facilities of the hall were greatly extended in 1962 when the “Christian Education Centre” was constructed as a wing at the back of the church. (Prior to January 1923, when its status was elevated to a parish and vestry, the Church of the Advent was a mission within the parish of the Anglican Church of St. John’s West Toronto.)
Jonathan Michael Eayers. At The Edge: 100 years of life at ‘The Advent’ 1911–2011. Church of the Advent, Toronto, 2010. (ISBN 978–0–9867713–0–9)
Eayers. 2010. pp. 26–29, 42–43, 50–51, 56–58, 62–66.
(across the street from that of Florence Gell)
, whose primary site was then located at the corner of St. John’s Road and Dundas Street
Advent’s firework displays
[edit]
Florence Gell and
Advent’s Victoria Day Fireworks
“On Victoria Day, the Police estimate that about 7,500 people gathered in Smythe Park to watch our programme and fireworks. Compliments on our efforts have been pouring in, and we have received letters of appreciation from strangers.
This highly successful Community project is due to the people who work so hard canvassing for the money and doing the work on the day. These are extremely dedicated people (some do not belong to our Church), but each year, there they are, selling tickets, hauling crates, pop, ice, manning booths and cleaning up afterwards.
How can you ever thank such dedication, how can you find words that express the appreciation and heartfelt gratitude due [to] these wonderful workers — well of course you can’t — they have not been written.
So perhaps the old words are just as good; My sincerest thanks to each and every one for a tremendous job well done and greatly appreciated by all who attended the Firework Display. You Were All Wonderful.“
— Florence Gell (1970), Advent Bulletin, June 1970, p. 5. (Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-9, Box 4.)
“Having the sun come out after so many days of rain was one more pleasure added to a day of fun at Smythe Park on Monday. The Church of the Advent planned a full program for the Victoria Day Holiday. …
A hearty Thank You to the workers of the Church of the Advent for once again allowing us to have a safe place to watch our fireworks. Their efforts for the community seem to be unending and for this we are grateful. Special mention should go to Mrs. Florence Gell, who worked extremely hard on this project.“
Florence Gell’s committee at The Church of the Advent raised money via its annual Victoria Day fireworks by donation canvassing, prize draws, and selling refreshments to attendees. The fireworks were purchased by the Church but handled and ignited by the York Fire Department. From 1966 to 1972, the pyrotechnic display was the main attraction of a much larger community event involving other local groups and comprising multiple activities.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
The details of the event varied over the years. It typically began in the afternoon with a parade north along a major street[A] to Smythe Park from the office (near Pritchard Ave.) of the sponsor of York’s Smythe Park baseball league for youth. This parade was followed by baseball matches[B] and by competitions among children for the decoration of bicycles and doll carriages. The evening entertainments in Smythe Park included performances by local majorettes, Scottish dancers, square dancers, choirs, and musical groups. These community performers included the Optimist Yorkettes, York Majorettes & Fire Drill Baton, York Lions Steel Band, Clans of York Pipe Band, Optimist Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps, Centennial Irish Accordion Band, and rock bands.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The event was very popular. In May 1968, the Weston Times reported that “Advent’s Victoria Day celebration at Smythe Park was a huge success with over 8,000 people milling about the grounds”.[3] The estimated attendance in 1970 was 7500.[5]
The Advent fireworks were discontinued after 1972. At that year’s event, a spectator was killed and three others were injured when a multi-stage rocket misfired and then exploded when it landed in the crowd. From 1973 onwards, there were no public Victoria Day pyrotechnics anywhere in the Borough of York.[9][10][11]
The additional revenue from the fundraising allowed capital improvements to Advent’s properties: church, hall, and rectory. These improvements included the following items:
- In 1969, funds raised by the Fireworks Committee paid for new eavestroughs on the church, an external coat of paint, and the rehabilitation of the outdoor bulletin board.
- In 1971, the revenue from the fireworks was dedicated to replacing the church’s leaky roof.
- From 1973 onwards, the substantial monies raised by the annual Avenue of Boutiques were deposited in a fund for a new heating system in the church and hall, which was installed in 1976.
- Also in 1976, money raised by the sale of advertisements in the Advent Bulletin paid for new cupboards, additional carpeting, and repairs to the church bell and furnace room.
- In 1977, Bulletin revenue paid for the complete renovation of the washrooms in the hall.[12][7]
In 1968, fundraising efforts intensified with the introduction of the Church’s first two flea markets. More work was done to raise funds via donation canvassing, prize draws, and refreshments provided for the Victoria Day fireworks. In 1970, a more elaborate bazaar, the Avenue of Boutiques
Advent’s fundraising
[edit]
| Project | Flea Market |
Socials | Avenue of Boutiques |
Bulletin Balance |
Fireworks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 – Net Amount | $25.00 | $311.49 | $1751.94 | not stated | $1424.13 | $3512.56 |
| Share of Total Revenue | 0.15% | 1.83% | 10.28% | — | 8.36% | 20.61% |
| Total revenue for 1972 from all sources[C] = $17 041.27 | ||||||
| 1973 – Net Amount | $766.75 | $89.23 | $2058.45 | $1366.93 | discontinued | $4281.36 |
| Share of Total Revenue | 4.06% | 0.47% | 10.90% | 7.24% | — | 22.66% |
| Total revenue for 1973 from all sources = $18 890.55 | ||||||
| 1974 – Net Amount | $462.51 | $670.16 | $2711.50 | $637.75 | — | $4481.92 |
| Share of Total Revenue | 2.01% | 2.91% | 11.77% | 2.77% | — | 19.46% |
| Total revenue for 1974 from all sources = $23 034.88 | ||||||
| Note: Firework displays were discontinued after 1972 due to a change in municipal regulations. | ||||||
| (Source: Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2, Advent’s Vestry Reports for 1972, 1973, & 1974.) | ||||||
Avenue of Boutiques
[edit]
Florence Ellis Gell (; ) was a
Florence Ellis Gell (; ) was a
York
“She was a real pillar in our community. Everybody in York knew Flo Gell. She didn’t just pave the way for woman politicians, but she paved the way for politicians to be honest and accountable.“
Advent’s Avenue of Boutiques was an elaborate autumn bazaar
“Jane Park and Mount Dennis”, Weston-York Times, Nov 2, 1972, p. 10.
The Church of the Advent (Anglican), Pritchard Avenue, York
[edit]
A member since at least 1941[E], Florence Gell’s most active period in The Church of the Advent began in February 1967 when she joined the parish’s Advisory Board. This body, which usually met monthly, organized activities in the parish and provided assistance and recommendations to its Rector (priest-in-charge) and Churchwardens[F]. Gell remained on the Advisory Board until February 1989, with an eight-month gap from June 1986.[17][18]
The Advisory Board was the operating committee of the Church’s Vestry (parish council). Florence Gell became Advent’s Vestry Clerk in January 1968. She served in the position 1968–1976, 1981–1986 (June), and 1990–1995 (July). The entire Vestry usually met once annually in late January.[17][18]
The Board was itself divided into committees for different purposes. Florence Gell served for years as Chair of the following sub-groups: Flea Market (1968–1971+), Avenue of Boutiques (annual bazaar) (1970–1976), Fireworks (1967–1972), and Property Maintenance (1977–1981, 1983–1986, 1987–1988). She was also a member (1967–1977, 1980–1982) of the Finance Committee.[18]
Gell was also active for many years in the production of the Advent Bulletin, the Church’s monthly communication to its members, which was reactivated in 1968. Over the 1968–1988 period, she served in a series of roles in the production of the publication: committee secretary, committee chair, business agent & advertising manager (1971/72–1986), and co-ordinator.[18][19]
In 1967, The Church of the Advent was in financial trouble. The Church had been previously forced to make a series of cuts to the amount of its quarterly payments on the demand-note held by the bank, and necessary repairs to Church properties were being postponed. In July 1967, the Church suspended its monthly payments to the Toronto Synod, and by August it did not have sufficient funds to meet any of its regular expenses. Payments resumed later that year following an appeal to parishioners for financial support, the introduction of fees for the use of Church facilities by non-church organizations, and the receipt of a grant from the Borough of York for a Victoria Day display of fireworks the previous May.[20][19][21]
“This year’s Boutique was the greatest in the history of the Church of the Advent. Greatest in what the various booths had to offer, in food served, in number of people in attendance (543 plus children), in number of people involved to make it a the success it was, in the amount of money collected.
It is true that it was a ‘People’s Success’ – Why? Because people were motivated and the motivating force behind this year’s Boutique as in the past, is one person — Florence Gell — and to her we owe our sincere appreciation for taking on this great responsibility and a great big Thank You Flo.“
— The Church of the Advent (1974), “Editor’s Note:“, Advent Bulletin, Dec. 1974, p. 4, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 4.
In 1968, fundraising efforts intensified with the introduction of the Church’s first two flea markets. More work was also done to raise funds via the Victoria Day fireworks. In 1970, a more elaborate bazaar, the Avenue of Boutiques, replaced the autumn flea market. Florence Gell chaired the organizing committees for these events.[22][23][24]
The additional revenue from the fundraising allowed capital improvements to Advent’s properties: church, hall, and rectory. In 1969, funds raised by the Fireworks Committee paid for new eavestroughs on the church, an external coat of paint, and the rehabilitation of the outdoor bulletin board. From 1973 onwards, the substantial monies raised by the annual Avenue of Boutiques were deposited in a fund for a new heating system in the church and hall, which was installed in 1976. Also in 1976, money raised by the sale of advertisements in the Advent Bulletin paid for new cupboards, additional carpeting, and repairs to the church bell and furnace room. In 1977, Bulletin revenue paid for the complete renovation of the washrooms in the hall.[25]
Following Florence Gell’s death in 2001, The Church of the Advent set up a fund for scholastic bursaries in her memory, the first five of which were given out in 2005.[26][G]
, including the salary of the Rector
The previous fiscal year (ended December 31st, 1966) had a deficit of $1469, or 12% of total receipts.
In 1967, The Church of the Advent was in financial trouble. The Church had been previously forced to make a series of cuts to its quarterly mortgage payments and by 1967 was paying just $500 (plus accumulated interest) of the $1250 specified in the original agreement.
“… In those days, a councillor (later Deputy Reeve) really had the power to help people. [Florence Gell] got people jobs with the Works Department, the Parks Department and the Fire Department. She loved attending to people’s municipal problems. She was a one-person combination neighbourhood watch/by-law enforcement officer.
She was determined to keep Lambton Park beautiful. She fought to get it zoned R-one. She got Dominion Gasket to landscape their frontage on Scarlett Road [at St. Clair Avenue West] and had a little park put in across the road. …”
— John Gell (2000), son of Florence Gell, “Mrs. Florence Gell: The First Lady of York”, Memories of Lambton Park, Toronto, Ontario: 2000, p. 145.
Florence Gell was a mem
Quotations from Gell’s community:
The Church of the Advent
“Many’s the time in our bulletin we have paid tribute to Florence Gell, one of our long-time members and a most ardent worker in our Church. We have much to thank her for. Recently, she was honoured for her many accomplishments on behalf of the Borough of York, by being presented with a special Civic Award Plaque as Citizen of the Decade.
… Countless numbers of people seek and get help from Flo. Gell. Our heartiest congratulations to Flo. No honour was more deserved.“
— The Church of the Advent (1978), “One of Our Members has been Honoured”, Advent Bulletin, Nov. 1978, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 4.
Humber College
“… Mrs. Gell was recently sworn in as Chairman of the Metro Conservation Authority. She is the first woman to be appointed to this position.
Those at Humber remember Mrs. Gell as a dynamic, outspoken and exciting character who pioneered in filling positions that were considered unattainable to women.
Humber Dialogue salutes Florence Gell and knows that the Conservation Authority is in very capable hands.“
Lambton Park
“Florence Gell – known to her family and friends as Jo – was the heart of the Lambton Park community in which she was always active and to which she gave her life for many years. She knew the people, and the people knew her. She was very friendly, chatty, self-confident, and direct. She was highly regarded by many people. …
Florence Gell had a very strong personality that at times could irritate those with whom she dealt. She was stubborn, and determined to achieve her desired ends using all means at her disposal in the face of any opposition. She could provoke both strongly positive and strongly negative reactions.
Gell broke social norms of the day in the progressive elements of her wardrobe. She worn shorts in public at a time when it was not considered proper by many for a woman to do so, especially for an elected woman. …”
As a private citizen, Florence Gell was very active in the organization of recreational activities in the Township of York. In February 1946, the Municipal Council appointed Gell to its new citizen’s Advisory Recreation Committee. This first Committee of volunteers was established by a resolution of the Council and was discontinued in January 1947. It was re-established the following May under a March by-law. Gell’s appointment to the new Committee of volunteers was rejected by the Council in a 5 to 2 vote. She was then reinstated in January 1948 by a unanimous vote. She remained a citizen-member through December 1953, after which she joined the Council itself. Elected members of the Council sat on the Committee from January 1949 onwards.[27][28][29][30][31]
The purpose of the Advisory Recreation Committee was to advise and assist the Township Council and its Director of Recreation in the administration of recreational activities and to encourage community participation. The actions of the Committee dealt with a broad range of items, such as the following:
- Organization of Township sports days, annual fairs, conferences, and recognition dinners for athletes and sports organizers;
- Specific recommendations regarding
- – the use, hours, seasons, equipment, infrastructure, and establishment of Township playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools, arenas, and outdoor ice rinks;
- – the appointment of administrative staff, the external affiliations of the Parks & Recreation Department as well as conferences for its employees;
- – the use by individual community groups of rooms in Township buildings.[32][33]
Florence Gell was Chair of the Advisory Recreation Committee in 1946–1947 and then Corresponding Secretary in 1949–1953. As Secretary, Gell received an honorarium from the Township, unlike all other positions on the Committee.[34][35][36]
In February 1948, Florence Gell was a co-presenter to the York Township Council of a joint proposal by the Advisory Committee and the York Community Council (of which Gell was also a member) for the creation of a Recreation Commission. The Township Council rejected the proposal since it required authorizing legislation by the Province of Ontario.[H] If established, the Commission would have been a separate legal entity with members from the Township Council, Board of Education, and other interested groups. It would have administered all public recreational facilities and services in the Township in place of a municipal recreation department.[37][38]
During the 1960s, Florence Gell supported the Council’s plans for the extensive construction of high-rise apartment buildings to increase the tax base (“assessment”) in residential areas then comprising single-family dwellings. She was one of the Township’s negotiators in agreements with land developers. Gell’s position on the matter was contrary to strong popular opinion, including that of the Warren Park Ratepayers’ Association.
Quotations from her communities:
Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology
[edit]
In April 1968, Florence Gell joined the Board of Governors of the public Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology (established 1967). The Ontario Council of Regents, which supervised all such colleges in the province, recommended Gell’s initial appointment and first renewal for approval by the Minister of Education. The Council itself approved her two subsequent renewals. Gell reached the eight-year term limit for a provincial appointee at the end of 1975. The Borough of York then appointed her to the Humber Board in January 1976 as its representative for a four-year term.[39][40][41][42][43]
In February 1974, the Humber Board elected Florence Gell as its Vice-Chair. This appointment was renewed in 1975 and 1976. She was then elected Chair of the Board in February 1977 and 1978. Gell was succeeded as Chair in February 1979 and left the Board at the end of that year.[45][43][46][44][47]
Humber College’s original campuses were located in the Borough of Etobicoke, which bordered the Borough of York. In 1969, Florence Gell strongly advocated for the establishment of a campus in York. In September 1970, the College opened its Keelesdale Campus in the Kodak Heights industrial area of York’s Mount Dennis neighbourhood, immediately west of its Keelesdale/Silverthorn neighbourhood. Gell was the Board’s representative to this facility, which closed at the end of 1995 due to a lack of land and funding for necessary upgrades.[44][48][49][50][51]
During her time on the Humber Board, Florence Gell served as Chair of its Program Committee. This Committee evaluated existing and proposed educational programs and changes at the College. A similar committee operated at the Council of Regents to coordinate programs across the college system.[42][44][52]
Gell also served on the Social Services Advisory Committee, which advised the Board on the curricula of the social service programs offered at the College. This Committee included representatives from social organizations, such as Big Brothers, Catholic Children’s Aid Society, Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, Ontario Welfare Council, Toronto Social Planning Council, Veteran’s Affairs Department, and the YMCA. Members of the Committee also included Humber staff and students.[53][54][55]
In 1979, a group of women affiliated with Humber College established the Florence Gell Award, which was given annually to one or more female students for high performance in the College’s journalism program.[56][57]
True to her hands-on approach to her community activities, Florence Gell was a regular visitor to the Humber College campuses. She organized and led in person the annual sale at the Humber campuses and the York Borough municipal office of daffodils to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.[58][59][60][61]
— york campus
— daffodils
— F. Gell Award
— daffodils
— F. Gell Award
Ontario Traffic Conference
[edit]
In April 1961, the delegates to the annual convention of the Ontario Traffic Conference (OTC) (now the Ontario Traffic Council, established 1950, incorporated 1956) elected Florence Gell as a Director on its governing board, where she sat until June 1969. Gell was promoted within the board in May 1966 to the position of Vice-President and then in April 1967 to President for the standard one-year term. She was the first woman to serve in each of these three positions at a time when there was very little representation by women at the annual conventions (e.g., only three of 241 registered delegates in 1965 and only a reported one of 250 delegates in 1960).
[62][63][64][65][66][67]
Since 1950, member-volunteers had run the Ontario Traffic Conference out of their homes and workplaces, with a volunteer Secretary-Treasurer responsible for its day-to-day operations. In January 1965, the group’s first dedicated physical office with a single paid employee (a clerk) was opened following the October 1964 resignation of the incumbent Secretary-Treasurer due to work commitments.
[68][69][70]
In her President’s Report to the April 1968 convention, Florence Gell recommended that the OTC employ a second person as a “full-time secretary-treasurer-manager” to succeed a volunteer that had resigned the previous January due to work commitments. The proposal was not adopted, and Gell served as a volunteer Acting Secretary-Treasurer for two years (Apr 1968 – May 1970) following her term as President. In 1972, this administrative role was split into two volunteer positions, Secretary and Treasurer.[62][70][71][72]
During Florence Gell’s term as OTC President, the annual convention was reorganized to separate the educational activities from the suppliers’ exhibits. The main sessions comprised only workshops, with a greater emphasis on audience participation, an earlier adjournment for the day, and no refreshment breaks. The exhibits were moved to suites for viewing after the adjournments.[73]
Florence Gell was named an Honourary Life Member of the Ontario Traffic Conference in the early 1970s for her work with the organization. As of 2025, she has been the only woman to serve as its President out of 53 office-holders.[74][75][76]
.
.
. In her introductory message in the convention magazine, Gell stated, “Every minute of the day and evening has been focused on your learning, participation and enjoyment.”
| awards = § Honours
Since 1950, member-volunteers had run the Ontario Traffic Conference out of their homes and workplaces, with the Secretary-Treasurer as the administrative officer. The group’s first dedicated physical office with its single paid employee (a clerk) was not opened until January 1965, following the October 1964 resignation of the incumbent volunteer Secretary-Treasurer. In her President’s report to the April 1968 convention, Florence Gell recommended that the OTC employ a second person as a “full-time secretary-treasurer-manager“ to succeed a volunteer that had resigned the previous January. The proposal was not adopted, and Gell served as a volunteer Acting Secretary-Treasurer for two years. In 1972, this administrative office was separated for a time into two volunteer positions, Secretary and Treasurer.
OMIT: Subsequent female Directors were individually elected in 1967, 1979, skcnakscb, respectively. A second woman was elected to the board in April 1967 and served for three years. The next female Director was elected in May 1979 for four years.
Municipal Council of the Township of York
[edit]
During her time on the York Township Council, Florence Gell was involved in all of its functions: health & welfare, traffic, housing, parks & recreation, library services, finance, planning, etc. She took a hands-on approach to all aspects of her work. Gell commonly engaged in direct, personal consultations with her constituents. She kept a list of every person who phoned her with their concerns.[77][78][79][80][81]
Gell was a well-regarded representative and was re-elected by large margins (see Table below). In 1956, the Township Council established Florence Gell Park at the request of a group of her constituents, the Warren Park Ratepayers’ Association.[82][83][84]
In her 1964 testimony before an Ontario Royal Commission, Florence Gell strongly supported a system of small civic departments organized by lower-tier municipalities within the greater Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. She held that smaller municipal departments, under the supervision of local elected representatives, were more efficient and better able to meet local needs.[85]
During the 1960s, Florence Gell supported the Council’s plans for the extensive construction of high-rise apartment buildings to increase the tax base (“assessment”) in residential areas then comprising single-family dwellings. This position was contrary to strong popular opinion, including that of the Warren Park Ratepayers’ Association.[86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93]
In September 1965, the Commissioner (head) of the York Parks and Recreation Department accused Gell of repeated interference in its operations, which significantly reduced its efficiency. Many people and community organizations publicly supported the Commissioner, who, along with several other employees, resigned in 1966 over the Gell matter and other administrative obstructions imposed by the York Council.[94][95][96][97]
The controversies surrounding the erection of numerous apartment buildings and the administration of the Parks and Recreation Department contributed to Florence Gell’s electoral defeat in December 1966 (see Table Notes). The Warren Park Ratepayers’ Association had actively campaigned against her.[98][99]
| Election | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1958 | 1960 | 1962 | 1964 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gell’s Share | 57.8%†[a] | 81.3% | 68.1%‡ | 72.5% | 74.4% | 50.3%§ | 63.9% | 64.9% |
| Candidates | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Position | Councillor∆ | Deputy Reeve | ||||||
| (Source: City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, Files 42–45, 47, 49, 51, & 53. Official election results prefixed in each bound volume.) |
||||||||
| Notes: † In Gell’s first Council election, Charles Cashman, the incumbent Councillor, was elected to the position of Deputy Reeve for Ward Three. ‡ In 1955, voters approved a two-year term for subsequent elections. ∆ In May 1958, Gell was appointed Deputy Reeve by the Council to fill the vacancy created by the death of Charles Cashman.[100] § Gell’s relatively poor polling in 1960 was a result of the scandal (Mar 1959) surrounding the purchase by Reeve Chris Tonks of Township land and the subsequent provincial inquiry (May–Sep 1959) into the general land financial affairs of the Council, which were condemned in the Report of the inquiry (Apr 1960). These events led to a campaign by a Citizens’ Committee to unseat all incumbents.[101][102][103][104][105][106][107] Re: 1966 Election for the new Borough of York — Gell finished third with 17.9% in a field of five candidates for the two positions of Controller on the Council of the new Borough of York. The respective vote shares were 30.3%, 28.1%, 17.9%, 17.4%, and 6.4%. The Toronto Star reported that Gell had been one of two York veterans that had been “swept under in the ‘anti-vote’ “.[108] The editor of the Weston Times described these two losses as “the greatest surprise“ of the York election.[109] |
||||||||
- ^ In Gell’s first Council election, Charles Cashman, the incumbent Councillor, was elected to the position of Deputy Reeve for Ward Three.
During her time (1957-1984) at the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (established 1957), Florence Gell served on its Information and Education Advisory Board, first as Vice Chair (1957) and then as Chair (1967), prior to becoming the Vice Chair of the entire Authority (1975) and an ex officio member of all of its advisory boards.[110]
Gell played an important role in the establishment and promotion of the Authority’s Conservation Schools (also called Field Centres) for children and youth to encourage the protection of the natural environment.[111] In December 1968, the first of these schools (opened in 1963 at Albion Hills) received the first White Owl Conservation Award for its work.
Florence Gell was also active in the development and promotion of the Authority’s living history museum, The Village at Black Creek.[112][113][114] In May 1967, she was one of the two persons holding the rope that was ceremonially cut by Ontario Premier John Robarts at the official opening of The Village.[115] In 1985, the Authority established the Florence Gell Garden on the grounds of The Village in recognition of her “remarkable contribution to conservation“.[116]
For her extensive public service, Florence Gell was named York’s first Citizen of the Decade in 1978 and awarded the Ontario Bicentennial Medal in 1984.[117]
DRAFT below to be deleted
Since its formation in 1950 (incorporated 1956), the OTC had been a volunteer-run, home-based organization. Its first permanent office and one paid employee (a clerk) were not in place until or just before January 1965. In her report to the 1968 convention, Florence Gell recommended that the OTC employ (finances permitting) a full-time person to serve as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Manager of the Organization in lieu of volunteers.
- ^ a b “Fireworks Spectaculars Monday … Mount Dennis”, Weston Times, May 19, 1966, pp. 1 & 5; “Smythe Park baseball league seeks coaches and sponsors”, Weston Times, Mar 7, 1968, p. 5; “Smythe Park’s Victoria Day”, Weston-York Times, May 6, 1971, p. 10.
- ^ a b “Jane Park & Mount Dennis”, Weston Times, May 18, 1967, p. 19; May 16, 1968, p. 3; May 15, 1969, p. 6; May 7, 1970, p. 2; May 21, 1970, p. 6.
- ^ a b c “Jane Park & Mount Dennis … Victoria Day”, Weston Times, May 30, 1968, p. 3.
- ^ a b The Church of the Advent, Advisory Board Minutes, Feb 15, 1967, pp. 3–4; Apr 19, 1967, p. 2; Apr 17, 1968, p. 5; Apr 19, 1972, p. 6, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-9, Box 2.
- ^ a b c The Church of the Advent, Advent Bulletin, Jun 1970, p. 5, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-9, Box 4.
- ^ a b The Church of the Advent, Advent Bulletin, May 1972, p. 3 & inserted handbill, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-9, Box 4.
- ^ a b c “Church to continue firework display”, Weston-York Times, Jun 3, 1971, p. 2.
- ^ “Fireworks directions not read jury told”, The Toronto Star, Jul 8, 1972, p. 8.
- ^ “Unspent skyrocket kills spectator”, Weston-York Times, May 25, 1972, p. 1.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
FW7was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ “Inside Metro: York prefers parades to to fireworks shows”, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), May 17, 1973, p. 5; “Fireworks mark Victoria Day”, The Toronto Star (TTS), May 16, 1974, p. D27; “8 displays of fireworks set for Victoria Day”, TTS, May 16, 1975, p. B1, “The Long Weekend … York’s Festival”, p. E1; “Fireworks wherever you go”, TTS, May 22, 1976, p. C1; et cetera.
- ^ The Church of the Advent, “Annual Report of the Advisory Board”, Annual Vestry Report for 1969, Jan 1970; Report for 1972, Jan 1973; “Advisory Board” & “Financial Statements”, Report for 1973, Jan 1974; “Financial Statements”, Report for 1974, Jan 1975; “Advisory Board”, Report for 1976, Jan 1977; “Report of the Bulletin Committee”, Report for 1977, Jan 1978. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ [https://vitacollections.ca/westonnews/3553885/page/8
- ^ “Avenue of Boutiques a success”, Weston-York Times, Nov 9, 1972, p. 5.
- ^ “Society Highlights”, The Toronto Star, Jun 14, 1941, p. 24.
- ^ Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Constitution and Canons, 2023-2025, Canon 15.
- ^ a b c Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Constitution and Canons, 2023-2025, Canons 14 & 17.
- ^ a b c d e Ryan. 2024. pp. 11–12. (see § References)
- ^ a b c The Church of the Advent, “Advisory Board Report”, Annual Vestry Report for 1967, Jan. 1968; Annual Report for 1968, Jan 1969; Annual Report for 1969, Jan 1970. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ a b The Church of the Advent, Advisory Board Minutes, 1967, Feb., Apr., Jul., Sep. Oct., and Nov. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ Fireworks Spectaculars Monday: … Mount Dennis, Weston Times, May 19, 1967, pp. 1 & 5.
- ^ The Church of the Advent, “Annual Report of the Advisory Board”, Annual Vestry Report for 1968, Jan 1969. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ The Church of the Advent, Advisory Board Minutes, 1967, Nov.; 1968, Feb., Apr., Jun. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ The Church of the Advent, Advent Bulletin, 1968, Sep., p. 6, Oct., p. 6, Nov., p. 4; 1970, Dec., p. 7; 1972, Sep., pp. 5–6. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 4.
- ^ The Church of the Advent, “Annual Report of the Advisory Board”, Annual Vestry Report for 1969, Jan 1970; Report for 1972, Jan 1973; “Advisory Board” & “Financial Statements”, Report for 1973, Jan 1974; “Financial Statements”, Report for 1974, Jan 1975; “Advisory Board”, Report for 1976, Jan 1977; “Report of the Bulletin Committee”, Report for 1977, Jan 1978. Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 2.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
awardswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 35, Committee of General Purposes, 1946, p. 76; File 36, CGP, 1947, pp. 183, 215–216; File 37, CGP, 1948, p. 2; File 38, CGP, 1949, pp. 2, 506; File 40, CGP, 1951, p. 46.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York By-Laws № 12996, 13216, 13411, 13658, 13956, and 14216.
- ^ Ryan. 2024. p. 7. (see references)
- ^ “Citizens Protesting Recreation Council”, The Toronto Star, Feb 4, 1947, p. 11.
- ^ “Had to Shovel York Rinks for Children, Mothers Say”, The Toronto Star, Feb 11, 1947, p. 5.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 36, Committee of General Purposes (CGP), 1947, pp. 271, 441; File 38, CGP, 1949, pp. 474–475; File 39, CGP, 1950, pp. 3, 85, 298; File 40, CGP, 1951, pp. 62, 118; File 41, CGP, 1952, pp. 55–56, 133–134, 496-498; File 42, CGP, 1953, pp. 49, 128, 445–446.
- ^ City Toronto Archives, York By-Laws № 12996, 13955, 14215.
- ^ a b “Penny Fair in York Township”, Times and Guide (Weston), Aug 15, 1946, p. 4. (accessed Sep 13, 2025)
- ^ a b City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 37, Committee of General Purpose (CGP), 1948, pp.72, 546; File 38, CGP, 1949, p. 54; File 40, CGP, 1951, p. 528; File 42, CGP, 1953, pp. 49, 128, 445–446.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York By-Laws № 13457, 13955.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 37, Council, 1948, p. 13.
- ^ “No Recreation Commission for York …, Times and Guide (Weston), Feb 5, 1948, p. 3. (accessed Aug 13, 2025)
- ^ L.M. Johnston, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education. Letter of Mar 14, 1968, to J.R. McCarthy, with manuscript notation of Mar 25, 1968, approval of Gell’s appointment. Archives of Ontario, File RG 2–38–0–31, Council of Regents CAATS. (FOI Request 2024–244)
- ^ Official Letters of Appointment to Florence Gell: W.G. Davis, Minister of Education, Letter of Nov 29, 1968; H.W. Jackson, Ontario Council of Regents, Letters of Dec 13, 1972, and Nov 26, 1974. – Also: D.A. White, Chair, Humber College, Letter of Oct 17, 1974, to H.W. Jackson. Archives of Ontario, RG 32–44, Correspondence of the Ontario Council of Regents, Container B362334, File Humber College – Board Composition.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 67, p. 43, clause 38, and p. 58, clause 71.
- ^ a b c Ontario Council of Regents. First Annual Report. 1975-76. (Archive.org, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ a b c Walt McDayter. Past and Presence: A History of Humber College. Humber College, 1981, pp. 32–34, 38, 53. (ISBN 0-919469-02-7) (Humber Archives, Reference: HC01 HCA-HCA, Box 17, Folder 3-HCA, Box 17, Folder 3 1/2, accessed Aug 29, 2025)
- ^ a b c d “Board of Governors Elections”, Humber Happenings. Summer 1976, Vol. 3, № 2, p. 17. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025.)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
HHwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ “Florence Gell Re-elected as Vice-Chairman of Humber Board”, Humber Happenings, Feb 1975, Vol. 1, № 8, p. 3. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 29, 2025)
- ^ “College picks board chief”, The Toronto Star (Etobicoke edition, “4 STAR ETO”), Mar 1, 1979, p. A4 (p. 27 online).
- ^ “New Campus Proposed”, Ad Hoc, Feb 14, 1969, Vol. 2, № 2, p. 1. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ “Humber College: New campus in Mount Dennis”, Weston Times, Apr 2, 1970, p. 1. (accessed Aug 31, 2025)
- ^ “New Keelesdale campus to hold 250”, Ad Hoc, Sep 18, 1970, Vol. 4, № 1, p. 8. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ “Keelesdale campus closing”, Humber Et Cetera, Sep 14, 1995, Vol. 3, № 1, p. 3. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ Bill Thompson. “Accountability at Humber”. Humber Dialogue. Mar 1983, Vol. 1, № 1, p. 2. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025.)
- ^ Humber College. Calendar 69/71. pp. 15–16. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ Humber College. Calendar 71/73. p. 11. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ Humber College. Education in Transition: Multi-Year Plan ’76. p. 3. (Humber Archives, accessed Aug 27, 2025)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
FGAwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Humber College. Programme for 1982 Awards Night. Humber College Archives. Reference Code: HC01 RG-RG7-RG7.82. p. 15.
- ^ “13 can be lucky for Humber”, Coven, Jan 8, 1980, Vol. 10, № 16, p. 5.
- ^ Photograph captioned “Mrs. Florence Gell …“, Coven, Apr 9, 1974, Vol. 3, № 31, p. 3. (Note: Mislabeled as № 32 in online records)(Humber Archives, accessed Aug 28, 2025)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
CCSwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Photo captioned “Mrs. Florence Gel …“, Weston Times (late edition, page headers read “The York News”), May 1, 1980, p. 14 (online p. 8).
- ^ a b c Ryan. 2024. pp. 18, 44–45. (see references)
- ^ “Urges New Campaign: Gardiner Alarmed at Road Slaughter”, The Toronto Star. Apr 5, 1960, p. 9.
- ^ “More Traffic Bylaws Predicted this Year”, The Globe and Mail, Jun 2, 1960, p. 15.
- ^ “Experts on Traffic conclude Conference: York Twp. Woman elected to Directorate”, Windsor Star, Apr 20, 1961, p.5.
- ^ Ontario Traffic Conference. Convention Proceedings. Apr 1965. “Registered Delegates”. pp. 1-15. (held by Toronto Reference Library)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WT1967was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ontario Traffic Conference. Convention Proceedings. Apr 1965, pp. 64–73. (held by Toronto Reference Library)
- ^ a b c Ontario Traffic Conference. Proceedings. Apr 1967, pp. 1–10 & 22. (held by Carleton University, Maxwell MacOdrum Library)
- ^ a b c d Ontario Traffic Conference. Proceedings. Apr 1968, pp. 1–12. (held by Carleton University, Maxwell MacOdrum Library)
- ^ “Police Inspector to get Chief’s Job in Belleville”, Weston Times, Feb 1, 1968, p. 1.
- ^ Civic: The Public Works Magazine (MacLean-Hunter publisher), Apr 1975, Vol. 27, № 4, OTC Suppl. p. 4.
- ^ “Greetings … from the the President of the Ontario Traffic Conference”, Ontario Traffic Conference Magazine, Apr 1968, p. 4. (held by Ontario Traffic Council archives)
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
HLMwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
HLM2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ontario Traffic Council. OTC Past-Presidents. Accessed Aug 22, 2025.
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 9–10 (comments by Gell & McLean), 16, 21, 26–27. (see references)
- ^ “She Bans Press from ‘Backyard’ Sunday Meet”, The Toronto Star, Mar 23, 1959, p. 8.
- ^ “Council Vote 5–4: York Bid to Fire Planners Fails”, The Toronto Star, Jan 17, 1961, p. 17.
- ^ Florence Gell. “Health and Welfare is Key to York’s Great Future”. Weston Times, Nov 24, 1966, p. 25. (Accessed Aug 6, 2025)
- ^ Florence Gell, Testimony of June 4, 1964. Hearings of the Ontario Royal Commission on Metropolitan Toronto. Vol. 16, pp. 1583–1591. (Accessed Aug 6, 2025)
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Committee of General Purposes Minutes, Sep 4 & 24, 1956, Fonds 211, Series 669, File 4, pp. 453 & 485.
- ^ John Gell. 2000. p. 145. (see references)
- ^ Ryan. 2024. p. 23. (see references)
- ^ Florence Gell, Testimony of June 4, 1964. Hearings of the Ontario Royal Commission on Metropolitan Toronto. Vol. 16, pp. 1583–1591. (Accessed Aug 6, 2025)
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 10, 30–41. (see references)
- ^ “New York Township Reeve Favors ‘Posh’ Apartments”, The Toronto Star, Jan 3, 1962, p. 19.
- ^ “Committee Approves Rezoning of Ravine on Expressway Route”, The Globe and Mail, Mar 27, 1962, p. 5.
- ^ “‘Apartment City’ York Township Hope”, The Toronto Star, Jan 8, 1963, p. 21.
- ^ “Petition asks for probe into sale of York land”, The Globe and Mail, Nov 26, 1966, p. 5. (re: apartment development agreement negotiated by Reeve Jack Mould & Deputy Reeve Florence Gell in 1963)
- ^ “York apartment would crowd us — city”, The Toronto Star, May 13, 1964, p. 14.
- ^ “York’s apartment jungle”, The Toronto Star, Sep 15, 1964, p. 6.
- ^ Bob Hewitt. “Don’t Let Them Kid You : Apartments Do Hike Taxes”. Weston Times. Dec 1, 1966, p. 31. (Accessed Aug 13, 2025)
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 30–41. (see references)
- ^ “York parks chief resigns, charges patronage”, The Toronto Star, Mar 29, 1966, p. 17.
- ^ “Parks resignations OK”, The Toronto Star, Apr 19, 1966, p. 29.
- ^ City of Toronto Archives, York Council Minutes, Apr 18, 1966, Fonds 211, Series 646, File 55, pp. 87 & 91; York Committee of General Purposes Minutes, Apr 18, 1966, Fonds 211, Series 669, File 24, pp. 260, 277, & Apr 25, pp. 306–307.
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 30–41. (see references)
- ^ hh
- ^ “Mrs. Florence Gell Named Deputy Reeve”, The Toronto Star, May 6, 1958, p. 10.
- ^ Pierre Berton, “Still More Questions on Sales of Real Estate in York Township”, The Toronto Star, Mar 13, 1959, p. 31.
- ^ “Real Issue of Tonks Case: Shocking Disregard of Law”, The Toronto Star, Mar 14, 1959, p. 1.
- ^ “Seller Friend, Tonks; Friend Say ‘No'”, The Toronto Star, Mar 18, 1959, pp. 1 & 9.
- ^ “The Reeve Who Bought Land ‘He Couldn’t Buy'”, The Toronto Star, May 14, 1960, p. 11.
- ^ “‘Clean Up Own House”: York Group Wants Complete Change”, The Toronto Star, Dec 2, 1960, p. 21.
- ^ “Taylor Sees Victory as Answer to Tonks”, The Toronto Star, Dec 6, 1960, pp. 1 & 8.
- ^ Ontario. Inquiry into certain financial affairs of the Corporation of the Township of York related to sub-divisions of land, zoning by-laws and the sales of municipal lands owned by the said corporation of the said Township of York …. April 1960. (Accessed Aug 9, 2025)
- ^ “Mayor Jack Mould: His first task …“, The Toronto Star (All Star Night edition), Dec 6, 1966, p. 13.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Lostwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ryan. 2024. p. 17. (see references)
- ^ The Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Minutes. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. 1958. pp. 302–303, 527, 546–548, 551. (Accessed Aug 15, 2025)
- ^ McLean. 2004. p. 18. (see references)
- ^ John Gell. 2000. p. 146. (see references)
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 7 & 9. (see references)
- ^ “Robarts Swings into the Past”, The Toronto Star (Three Star Night edition), May 27, 1967, p. 3; “Premier’s Broadaxe Sets off Fireworks at Pioneer Village”, The Globe and Mail, May 27, 1967, p. 11.
- ^ The Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Minutes. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Feb 21, 1986. p. 3. (Accessed Aug 14, 2025)
- ^ Ryan. 2024. pp. 23––24.
Quotation from her church
[edit]
One of Our Members has been Honoured: Many’s the time in our bulletin we have paid tribute to Florence Gell, one of our long-time members and a most ardent worker in our Church. We have much to thank her for. Recently, she was honoured for her many accomplishments on behalf of the Borough of York, be being presented with a special Civic Award Plaque as Citizen of the Decade. … Countless numbers of people seek and get help from Flo. Gell. Our heartiest congratulations to Flo. No honour was more deserved.
— The Church of the Advent, Advent Bulletin, Nov. 1978, Anglican Diocese of Toronto Archives, Accession 2016-09, Box 4
Carrie Brunet. (2001). “York politician Florence Gell was always a lady”, The York Guardian, March 30, 2001, Vol. 5, № 13, p. 3.
John Gell. (2000). “Mrs. Florence Gell: The First Lady of York” in Memories of Lambton Park. Toronto, Ontario: John Gell, August 2000, pp. 143–146. (ISBN 0-9687461-0-1)
Florence Gell — known to her family and friends as Jo — was the heart of the Lambton Park Community in which she was always active and to which she gave her live for many years. … She was very friendly, chatty, self-confident, and direct. She was highly regarded by many people. …
Florence Gell had a very strong personality that at times could irritate those with whom she dealt. She was stubborn, and determined to achieve her desired ends using all means at her disposal in the face of any opposition. She could provoke both strongly positive and strongly negative reactions.
Gell broke social norms of the day in the progressive elements of her wardrobe. She worn shorts in public at a time when it was not considered proper by many for a woman to do so, especially for an elected woman.
She was a real pillar in our community. Everybody in York knew Flo Gell. She didn’t just pave the way for woman politicians, but she paved the way for politicians to be honest and accountable.
— Frances Nunziata, in Carrie Brunet, “York politician Florence Gell was always a lady”, The York Guardian, Mar. 30, 2001, 5 (13) 3
She raised her family and participated in public life, when it was a male dominated blood-sport.
You had to have Flo Gell on side. She was such an integral part of community politics.
Cite error: There are <ref group=upper-alpha> tags or {{efn-ua}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=upper-alpha}} template or {{notelist-ua}} template (see the help page).
