Park Lawn Cemetery
 Northwest entrance to Park Lawn Cemetery. | |
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1892 |
| Location | Etobicoke, Toronto |
| Country | Canada |
| Owned by | Park Lawn LP |
| Number of graves | 22,000 |
| Website | http://www.parklawnlp.ca |
Park Lawn Cemetery is a large cemetery in the western Etobicoke section (Humber Bay-Sunnylea) of Toronto, Canada. In the heart of the city’s west end is one of Canada’s most historically significant cemeteries. Park Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum opened in 1892 as Humbervale Cemetery and owned by local farmers in the area, sold in 1912 and finally in 1915 to Park Lawn Cemetery Company and renamed with the current name.[1] It is the final resting place for many of Canada’s prominent citizens. With over 73 acres of rolling park-like grounds, it is not just a beautiful cemetery but also a tranquil retreat to visit for a walk; a place for peaceful reflection.
Park Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum reflects the diverse ethnic and cultural heritage of the city. Though many people assume Park Lawn is at capacity, the cemetery still offers a full range of products and services from large family estate lots to a range of cremation options. In 1999 Park Lawn opened Paradise Mausoleum; a spectacular building surrounded by trees in the center of the cemetery. With phase two of Paradise Mausoleum completed in 2007 there will be a variety of options for years to come.
It currently has some 22,000 graves. It is managed by the Park Lawn Limited Partnership, which also runs five other cemeteries in Toronto. Controversy arose in 1995 when the company had re-zoned a section of the cemetery to permit construction of a condominium building. While the building was strongly opposed by some who had purchased lots, or had residents buried there, the OMB approved the project.
Vandalism
The cemetery has also twice been attacked by vandals, once in 1990 and again in 2006. Both times several youths were convicted of damaging or toppling several hundred stones.
Notable interments
Hockey players
- Harold Ballard - minor league hockey coach, manager, NHL owner Toronto Maple Leafs
- Glen Brydson - NHL player
- Busher Jackson - NHL player
- Butch Keeling - NHL player, minor league coach, NHL referee
- Andy Kyle - former Cincinnati Reds outfielder, minor league baseball player, hockey player with the NHA Toronto Blueshirts, golf player
- Jack Marks - NHL and minor league hockey player
- Lou Marsh - sprinter, Toronto Argos player, Canadian military officer, NHL referee, Toronto Star sports editor
- Alex Romeril - minor league and NHA player, NHL referee, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach
- Conn Smythe - minor league hockey player, owner of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs
Other
- Fergy Brown, Mayor of the City of York, Ontario
- John MacBeth - Ontario PC MPP (York West and Humber) and provincial cabinet minister
- Gordon Sinclair - journalist with CBC and Toronto Star
- Jeff Healey - jazz and blues musician
- Frolick Stanley - lawyer, Ukrainian Canadian activist
War Graves
The cemetery contains 96 war graves of Commonwealth service personnel, 19 from World War I and 67 from World War II.[2]
References
- ↑ http://torontoist.com/2012/11/toronto-cemetery-sojourns-park-lawn-cemetery/
- ↑ CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty record.
- Find a Grave - Park Lawn Cemetery
- "Teen jailed in cemetery vandalism" Cal Millar. Toronto Star. Jul 17, 1990. pg. A.7
- {http://www.parklawnlp.ca/home]
External links
Coordinates: 43°38′50″N 79°30′03″W / 43.647094°N 79.500954°W