TORONTO BRANCH - for United Empire Loyalists

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As an educator, he taught at Campion College, Regina. Loyolla College, Montreal, Regis College,
Toronto. He was a chaplain in the Active. Reserve and Regular Armies with wartime service in Canada
and overseas - peacetime service in Canada and Germany, retiring with the rank of Major. He was
Assistant Chaplain. Christie Street Hospital. Red' Chevron and Sunnybrook Hospital. Father McGivern
was founder of R.C.E. Military Museum, Chilliwack, B.C.; co-founder British Military Historical
Society, London Branch; founding secretary B.C. Museums Association; founder and first Governor of
the Canadian Branch of Mayflower Descendants. He was a member of the Most Excellent Order of
British Empire, Chev., Order of Constine the Great, Chev., Order of St. Lazlo, life member of Clan
MacDonald.
Father McGivern was a columnist for the Toronto Telegram. Among his published works are "History of
Royal Engineers in B.C.", "Shadow Over Huronia", "Your Name and Coat of Arms", "In the Early Dawn;
Brebeuf in Song and Verse", "Some Hidden Glories", "A Saga of the Church in Canada" and many other
writings in papers and journals.
He spent his summers in the Huronia Country at the Martyr's Shrine.
His loyalist ancestors were named Savary, Snyder, Taylor (who served as Captain in the New Jersey
Volunteers) and Squires. His Mayflower ancestry went back to Brewster and Hopkins.
Father McGivern was very active in Loyalists, not only as president of Toronto Branch, but also as a
member of the Bicentennial Committee.
1984 December
T
he Toronto Branch bicentennial banquet was held at the Royal Canadian Military Institute on
Saturday, April 7, 1984. The affair was an outstanding success, due to the efforts of the banquet
convener, Dorrine Macnab, and her committee which included Mrs. Mary McGillivray, Miss Lois
Gardner, Mrs. Dorothy Martin and Major Frederic R. Branscombe, our parliamentarian and adviser.
The speaker and guest of honour for the evening was the United States ambassador to Canada, His
Excellency Paul Robinson, Jr., who attended with his charming wife, Martha. Mrs. Robinson was
presented with a beautiful Laura Secord doll by the Dominion President, Charles J. Humber. Toronto
Branch's senior member, former Governor-General of Canada, The Hon. Roland Michener, thanked Mr.
Robinson for his participation in our bicentennial celebration. The former Lieutenant Governor of
Ontario, the Hon. Pauline McGibbon, was presented with her membership certificate by Past President
John DeMille. The head table guests were The Hon. Roland Michener, His Excellency Paul Robinson Jr.,
Hon. Pauline McGibbon, Mr. Humber, Dominion President, Mr. D. Stuart Gilmor, a past President of the
Dominion Association, Mr. Robert Mutrie, President of the Governor Simcoe Branch, Mrs. Martha
Robinson, Mr. Donald McGibbon, Mrs. Stuart Gilmor, Mrs. Charles J. Humber, Mrs. Shirley Snetsinger,
Miss Margaret Branscombe, social secretary who introduced the speaker, and the chairman for the
evening, Toronto Branch President, Mr. Robert W. Snetsinger.
Mr. Gilmor toasted the Loyalists and Mr. Snetsinger toasted the Queen and the President of the United
States.
The honour guard was from The King's Royal Regiment of New York, and the music was by
"Quintessence" .
Notables from the Governor Simcoe Branch were Dr. and Mrs. Walton Ball, Mr. and Mrs. John Mitchele
and Col. and Mrs. Gordon Leggett.