Scotiabank celebrated a century in downtown Victoria on Thursday with a rather fitting guest of honour.
Donald Beresford, who will turn 100 in October, not only worked for the bank in various locations across Canada, but finished his career in Victoria's main branch, continues to live and bank here and was born the same year the bank established its Island beachhead.
"When I woke up this morning, I had no idea I'd be given so much attention," smiled the spry Beresford, who was lauded by everyone from Mayor Dean Fortin and Scotiabank executives to regular customers and bank staff, who were dressed for the occasion in period costume.
The gathering drew more than 100 guests to the downtown bank at Douglas and Yates streets, including long-serving clients like Jocelyn Braithwaite, a third-generation Scotiabank customer, and David Fanthorpe, who's been banking there since 1947.
Beresford was the star attraction, looking dapper in his airforce blazer and sharp red tie.
Other than a stint in the airforce, where he flew submarine-killer Hudson aircraft and escorted more than 90 convoys across the North Atlantic, Beresford spent more than 50 years with the bank. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his many missions based in Iceland, disabling a German submarine with air-dropped depth charges and surviving four crashes and a fire that fused his eyelids.
"The bank was good to me, a great career and I am thankful," said Beresford.
As for his long life, the New Brunswick native said the key is exercise (he played top-level hockey, rugby and cross country skiing), be happy with your work and "marry a good woman and take a little of Guinness or whatever else when you get a chance."
His wife of 65 years, Frances, whom he met while training pilots in Manitoba, was at his side Thursday as Victoria's mayor drew a parallel to Beresford and Scotiabank's longevity and commitment to the community.
Fortin said Scotiabank has been a pillar in downtown Victoria and has flourished by investing in business and people. The mayor noted 42 per cent of all jobs in the capital region are generated by 1,500 businesses the downtown area.
"Our core is the economic engine and it's because of businesses like Scotiabank that the region continues to thrive," said Fortin.
Purdy McDonald, vicepresident for Scotiabank's Vancouver Island District, and main branch manager Andrea Jakeman-Brown used the occasion to present a $10,000 cheque to organizers of the West Coast Motorcycle Ride to Live, a rally that raises money for prostate cancer research and is the bank's charity of choice.
Luc Beauvais, a Central Saanich police officer and executive director of the group, said last year's event raised $90,000 and all of the money stayed on the Island. He noted $23,000 went to The Prostate Centre to test 600 men for the disease. Of those, 35 were diagnosed with cancer and started treatment. Another $43,000 went to research at the University of Victoria.
"We can't thank Scotiabank enough for what they do to fight prostate cancer," said Beauvais. This year's ride is slated for June 5 and 1,000 riders are expected.
Scotiabank got its start in Victoria in February 1911 when William H. Silver was sent out from Toronto to open the first branch in the old Times Building at Fort and Broad streets, at what is now the Bay Centre. It started with six employees.
Eight years later, the bank bought a lot at Yates and Douglas and started building. It was finished in 1923 and had business and residential tenants above (including German spies according to local folklore). The building went through an extensive renovation in 1937 and was finished to its current state in 1963.
It was the right time to establish a bank in Victoria, noted Jakeman-Brown. Victoria was in the midst of a building boom.
Major streets were being paved and others were under construction, public lighting was being set up and there was work for every able-bodied person, with new subdivisions being built in Fairfield and Fernwood. The Hudson's Bay Company was also selling off its farmland in what is now the Uplands. A lot on Dallas Road was going for $3,500.
McDonald said Scotiabank continues to play a role in building the city with investments in businesses, individuals and major institutions, including financial and educational partnerships with the University of Victoria, Royal Roads University and Camosun College.
