Memorable Manitobans: James Balsillie (1867-1944)

Engineer.

Born at West St. Paul, Manitoba in 1867, son of John Balsillie and Ann Flett, he worked in the Engineering Department of the City of Winnipeg, from 1898 to 1932. He laid the first block of pavement in the city, helped to build the first waterworks building after the utility had been taken over from private interests, and was responsible for construction of many of the city’s sidewalks and roadways. He died at his Winnipeg home, 767 Beverley Street, on 28 May 1944 and was buried in the Mapleton Cemetery.

Sources:

“Engineering pioneer, James Balsillie, dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 May 1944, page 2.

We thank Beth Balsillie for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 12 August 2013

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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