THE PILKEY FAMILY OF CHERRYWOOD

During the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s the Pilkey family played a prominent role in making the community of Cherrywood a pleasant place to live. Their farm was located at the southwest corner of the Altona road and the third concession. They sold the farm in 1949 and Mr. & Mrs. Pilkey moved to Markham. Mr. Pilkey passed away in 1954 and Mrs. Pilkey in 1972. Mr. Pilkey, (Edgar) was the Superintendent of the Sunday school, and both Mr. & Mrs. Pilkey were very active in both the church and the Sunday school. Mr. & Mrs. Pilkey and their family participated in most of the social events in the community.

They had four sons, Ray, Alvin, Stanley and Gordon. All four graduated from Cherrywood public school. They attended Markham high school during their senior high school years. Alvin, Stanley and Gordon were at Pickering Continuation School in their junior years and finished at Markham. Gordon was at Markham high school in April of 1944 when he opted out to help his father on the farm.

The Pilkey boys were excellent athletes and played prominent roles on the Cherrywood hockey and softball teams.

Ray the eldest, graduated in medicine in 1941 and started a general practice in Markham. He married Marion in 1947.In 1954 Ray specialized in obstetrics &genecology and opened another practice in Scarborough. He later became the head of obstetrics in East general Hospital. Ray retired in 1978 and moved to Lakefield in 1980. Ray passed away in 1999 and his wife, Marion in 2005.They had no children.

After high school Alvin worked for Canadian Pacific Railway and then Cridlands meat packers in Scarborough and then joined the air force. After discharge he became a tool & die maker for Dominion manufacturers and worked there until his retirement in 1985. He married Cynthia and they have 3 sons, a daughter and 6 grandchildren. They live in Scarborough in summer and Florida in winter.

After high school Stanley worked at the Ross Murison store in Pickering and Ajax and then joined the air force. After discharge he worked for Canada Packers. In 1950 he bought a grocery store in Orillia, which he operated for 3 years. In 1953 he joined Prudential Insurance in Oshawa. He was District manager when he retired. He is married to Betty and they have 4 sons, a daughter and 11 grandchildren. Stanley died suddenly from a massive stroke in 1999 and Betty passed away in 2003.

Gordon worked for National Casket for 11 years. In 1957 he joined Rodgers Ltd. a division of Emerson Electric and retired in 1985. He is married to Thelma and they are currently living in Lakefield. They have 2 daughters.

This story is compiled from a letter written to Bob Morrish by Gordon Pilkey March 14th 2007. Gordon added some of his fond memories of living in Cherrywood:

(1) The annual ride in the back of Morrish’s truck to participate in the Sunday school picnic at Oshawa Fair grounds on Lake Ontario.
(2) Watching Ray Taylor fly a Harvard training plane over Cherrywood.
(3) Playing floor hockey in the attic of the Morrish barn.
(4) Shovelling snow to go to Agincourt and Markham to play hockey.
(5) Playing hockey on the brickyard pond behind the garage.
(6) Playing shinny hockey and skating at Cedarena.

Story by Bob Morrish

West Vancouver 03/22/2007