by Fred Morris
September 2025
Henry Yule Hind and William Keating were both explorers and geologists. This story deals with the recent history of Hind, Keating, and part of Lodge avenues. These residents were listed for the first time in the 1952 Henderson Directory. As a 2002 City Council candidate, I will never forget a spur of the moment Lodge Avenue popcorn party with “Sugar Jim” Henry, Tom Finnbogason Sr., and Harold Brooks. Jim showed us his framed 1952 famous picture of him shaking hands with Rocket Richard after a hockey playoff series.
Young people have been a part of these streets. In February 1955, Diane Orum and Nancy Ablett were pictured in the Winnipeg Free Press sliding down a snow drift. In 1970, Lorna Kyle was Miss Teenage Manitoba. Lorna served as the Honorary Parade Marshall for the Teen and Tot Parade.
Many Sport Hall of Famers lived part of their lives in this part of Silver Heights. Jim Henry won a Turnbull and two Allan Cups. Sugar Jim won one Charlie Gardiner Cup as the best USHL goalie. He is a member of the Manitoba Hockey and Sports Hall of Fames. While living on Keating, Gerry James played for both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs. Gerry won a Memorial Cup and four Grey Cups. Gerry is in the Manitoba Sports, Manitoba Hockey, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fames. In 2016, his name went up on the Winnipeg Blue Bomber Ring of Honour at IG Field. Maurice Smith, the long-time Winnipeg Free Press Sports Editor, was instrumental in creating the National School Boys Curling Championship. He is in the CFL, and Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. George and Joy Kent were the original residents of a Keating Avenue house. George produced CBC CFL football. He invented the telestrator and is in the CFL Hall of Fame.
Magnus Vopni, an original Hind Avenue resident, was the Superintendent of the Winnipeg Tribune composing room. Stewart Millet was the President of the Red River Exhibition, the 1965 Chair of the Easter Seals Campaign, and in 1972 the President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Manitoba. Lil Asgeirson was the 1969 Fjallkona at the Icelandic Festival. Murray Stalker served as a St. James motorcycle police officer, and later operated a service station. Robert Asgeirson grew up on Lodge. Robert became a cinematographer working for GlobaL TV, CJAY, and CBC. He served as the curator of BC's Icelandic Archives. Neil McCaughey had a 43-year career as a Winnipeg optometrist. Murray Peterson has worked as Winnipeg's Heritage Officer.
Roger Cathcart Sr. was a Principal for several schools in the St. James Brooklands area. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he served as the Manitoba President of the PC Party. He lost a very contested 1990 Sturgeon Creek nomination race to represent the PCs in the 1990 election. Another School Principal Peter Carney eventually became a St. James School Trustee. In the 2007 provincial election, Sharon Blady became the first NDP candidate to win Kirkfield Park. She served two terms including a couple of years as Health Minister.
There have been plenty of ties to the Icelandic Festival. In 1964, Sigrid Asgeirsson and Ardath Finnbogason were the Princesses. In 1969, Lill Asgeirson was the Fjallkona (Maid of the Mountain).
Page revised: 13 November 2026