Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1969-2006 (Creation)
Level of description
Series
Extent and medium
69 colour photographs
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Desmond Lowry was born in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland on 22 August 1926. He became a draughtman and emigrated to Canada in 1951, where he signed up to help survey the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway. He then moved to Toronto, Ontario where he worked for a brief period in the drafting department of AVRO during which time he was witness to the famous ‘Arrow’ jet fighter project as well as the development of the CF100 jet fighter.
After a brief time back in Ulster (where he met Patricia Kaine, his future wife), Desmond returned once again to Canada where he went into the employ of the British American (BA) Oil Company. He would continue with this company (which was eventually taken over by Gulf Oil Canada) for the next 27 years working as a construction and maintenance superintendent. Later he would also work for Mobil Chemical in Belleville before he retired permanently at the age of sixty.
Once established in Canada, Desmond was joined by Patricia and on the 5th of September 1955 the couple were married at St. Olaves Anglican Church in Toronto. They lived in Toronto for a few years and then moved to a brand new home in Oshawa. In 1962 the Lowrys moved to Sault Ste. Marie and in 1969 the family of five moved south to the city of Belleville.
Desmond was a keen pilot and longtime member of the Belleville Flying Club. He died in Belleville on 5 August 2016.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
14 photographs donated by John Lowry in September 2017, additional 23 photographs donated in October 2017, 17 donated in February 2018 and 15 donated in May 2019.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Colour photographs of the Norris Whitney bridge under construction between Rossmore and Belleville, Ontario and aerial photographs of Belleville, Wellington, Picton, Tweed, Stirling and the open pit mine at Marmora. Photographs of aircraft, including a replica of the 'Spirit of St. Louis', which visited Belleville in 1977 or 1978.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Many of these photographs have been scanned and are available online at https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=134017397%40N03&sort=date-taken-desc&text=desmond%20lowry&view_all=1
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
- Canada » Ontario » Hastings, County of » Belleville
- Canada » Ontario » Hastings, County of » Marmora
- Canada » Ontario » Prince Edward, County of » Picton
- Canada » Ontario » Hastings, County of » Stirling
- Canada » Ontario » Prince Edward, County of » Wellington
- Canada » Ontario » Hastings, County of » Tweed