HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF THE
TORONTO ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF

Written from the recollections of John Rolko

TAD Is Born From The Silent Athletic Club

The Toronto Association of the Deaf was incorpated in 1937 as a non-profit organization operated for the enjoyment of the Deaf.

First of all, who is William H. McGovern. He was the first president of the Silent Athletic Club in 1929. He with his committees worked in drawing up the documents for constitution and general bylaws in preparation for changing for a charter. After the incorporation he became the first president of the newly formed Toronto Association of the Deaf in 1937 and continued in that role until 1947.

During the depression many members were unemployed that caused lack of action till the outbreak of World War II nearly four years later, they were back at work and the TAD was activiated.

In the past time before 1937 many Deaf youngsters and elders as well, were idling their free time on street corners and staying over long in some restaurants and billiard houses. The Deaf wanted Toronto to start the club as they pointed out that Toronto had no club or meeting place for the Deaf except for the religious services of the Evangelical Church for the Deaf.

Then, Mr. McGovern called a meeting and it was decided to find good premise. A location was found withint the city at 123 Church at Queen Street East. The space above the second hand store was owned by Frankel's. That location met with the approval of the members and a two year lease was signed in the year of 1947.

Things went well and at times the rooms were crowded with new members and visitors. Then Mr. McGovern stepped out from presidency. Mr. Charles Davey took over and Mr. William Rule joined in as treasurer for many years. The TAD's greatest asset was the annual banquet and dance and car/TV raffle which was a profitable affair and had enabled TAD to remain active for the afterward years.

The TAD club was located on Church Street for length of years, then to Bloor St. West close to Varsity Stadium (demolished in 2002), Yonge St. close to Uptown Theatre, Yonge St. North near Summerside St. and finally at Vaughan St. above St. Clair St. West.

TAD Annual Banquet

It should be noted that two officers named William McGovern and William Rule had given outstanding services in the best traditions of the TAD. Mr. McGovern suggested holding a raffle and a big banquet and dance to raise funds. Mr. Rule as chairman had made a most successful profit with a car raffle and added a TV set be raffled as that time television was becoming new and very popular. The TAD's annual grand banquet and ball had become very popular and was held for 27 successive years since the first event in 1958.

During the first year of opening Ontario Place the grand ball and dance was held there as TAD was first one to reserve in. The attendance was over 350 people and president of World Game for the Deaf, Mr. Jerald Jordan from Washington, D.C. and president of Central Athletic Association of the Deaf, Mr. Robert Hopkins from Michigan were invited as hosts. The grand ball was conducted by Mr. John Rolko, TAD treasurer.

With this story it should also be noted that several officers have given outstanding services. They are George Corbett, Frank Hubick, Gladys Barter, Guy Lively, Victor Shanks and Gordon Henshaw. They deserve your honour and praise. Edward Pollard cannot be overlooked for his great work to set up the formation of a club to participate in big tournaments of bowling, softball and volleyball with Central Athletic Association of the Deaf from USA.

Once C.A.A.D. Slo-Pitch Tournament by T.A.D. hosted and Edward leading brought 19 men's teams from United States to play in Toronto during Labor Day weekend. Over one thousand U.S visitors attending.

TAD Finds A New Home

The TAD finance grew healthy successfully. For some years John Rolko with his committee tried to seek the financial support from City Hall, Ontario Government, Lions Club, etc to get home for TAD but they were deaf to us. When Wintario lottery began in Ontario, John wrote begging help from Wintario and then Wintario invited him and interpreter named Brian Hunter who was very helpful to visit Wintario office. At last Wintario agreed to give financial support -- to match TAD finance in hand -­ $30,000.00 to $30,000.00. When the cheque was received, we started to look for club house and finally found a good one on Howard Park Ave. and Dundas St. West. It was purchased for $130,000.00.

Imagined that we made out and closed the deal before Christmas Eve. During Boxing Day the officers and some members were busy moving prepared for New Year's Eve party in new home. All the members were excited. Over 300 came to celebrate.

The TAD had had in mind for many years a community centre since it was organized but had realized that our hope eventually stagnated and died due to limitation of financial support so the TAD committed priority rights the name community centre for the Deaf to Ontario Mission of the Deaf. It followed that the TAD was very aware of the need for a community centre and the many services it would provide for the many old TAD members. Now our TAD forefathers in spirit who have put their faith in its community with their money, times and efforts must not be forgotten. The spirits might live among us, to see that their efforts were not fruitless. It is now up to new members to carry on this legacy and insure that TAD will prosper and remain TAD's name for all of us and future members to enjoy.

TAD Clubhouse Era Comes To An End

TAD club house was with us for 10 or 11 years and thereafter it was saddened that the declining memberships and low revenues forced the sale of TAD's house and discarding of the furnitures, etc. The problem was that lack of new young members to carry on this legacy and insure that TAD will prosper and remain a place for all of the members to enjoy. TAD was at a great loss of over $150,000.00 in arrears. Unfortunately it must stated that much of the history of the Toronto Association of the Deaf was not recorded. Also most of these things which were written down had gone astray in the many moves that occurred since leaving the original home of TAD. Inevitably vital documents were lost and also the charter was "dead" in turmoil that accompanies changes of location.

But TAD itself still has in capital to the extent over $200,000.00 - - and not die yet but for many TAD members, it is a great loss of our clubhouse, still shattering the members' feelings and memories -- and remember the history of the rise and fall of powerful social organization with the Deaf community and the TAD was the first clubhouse to be owned and run entirely by the Deaf in Canada.