THE BOBYK FAMILY

Three generations of Ryersonians

This university is in their DNA. The Bobyk family shares memories and photos from decades past

EVERY YEAR, Chris Bobyk, Geography ’84, shares a rite of spring with his father: a trip to the Canadian International Auto Show. The two also share deep pride in being part of a three-generation family of Ryerson graduates.

Generation one is Chris’s father, John, Metallurgical Technology ’55, and mother, Ann, Fashion Design ’55, who met in their first year at Ryerson. [1] Generation two is Chris, and his wife, Pauline, Food and Nutrition ’84, who met in high school but cemented their relationship at Ryerson. Generation three is their son, Trevor, Radio and Television Arts ’16. [2]

Chris’s parents encouraged him to choose Ryerson (“due to the quality of teaching and family/community atmosphere,” John says), and he and Pauline did the same with Trevor. But the deciding factor for everyone was an excellent program that would be the cornerstone to a fulfilling career.

“Ryerson has a strong co-op program where students work in the industry they are studying,” says Chris, who is 58. “I thought the work term and applied nature of my program would get me launched into a job after graduating. That turned out to be the case.” [3]

Chris’s initial job directly related to his studies, analyzing commercial and retail locations based on statistics and geography. He worked in banking and retail real estate divisions before diversifying into land development services for commercial and residential projects, starting his own company, BFH Realty Advisors.

John, now 84, joined Stelco after graduation. He launched and was president of Thermadyne Welding Products for 23 years. He retired at 65, but landed at Oakville Hydro, where he was chairman of the board before fully retiring at 74. He served on the Ryerson board for several years and was briefly vice-chair, and still sits on the board of several non-profits.

Ann, now 84, was the first female Gold Medallist in fashion, meaning she excelled in both academic studies and student activities. With her studies, she became a dresser and designer for live shows, including summer stock theatre and TV shows such as The Hit Parade. She fondly remembers when Sammy Davis, Jr. was on set: “He was the tiniest man you could imagine. I had to bend over sideways for him to kiss my cheek!”

1. Ann asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance. I fell in love the first day I saw her.—John

2. I wanted to get into media production, and Ryerson was the top program. It was tough to get into and I was so pumped up when I was accepted.—Trevor

3. Ryerson was THE place to go for fashion, and we all got a job on graduation.—Ann

4. Commuting home to Downsview from Ryerson took over two hours by bus, streetcar, and walking four miles up Keele Street, which was then a dirt road. So at least three days a week, I did homework with my best friend, Don Green, and stayed with him at the Y. I met Don my first day at Ryerson and we are still closely associated after 61 years.—John