Three generations of Ryersonians

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. (“Ann asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance. I fell in love the first day I saw her,” John recalls.)

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, who remembers getting into Ryerson for media production. “It was tough to get into and I was so pumped when I was accepted.”

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.”

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!”

Pauline launched her career in food and nutrition. Now 57, she teaches in the Toronto District School Board, and says, “I enjoy sharing everything I’ve learned about how health, fitness and nutrition are so important to your overall well-being.”

Trevor runs his own photography, video editing, website design and social media management firm called It’s Trev. He credits Ryerson for teaching him a solid work ethic along with the technical aspects of his work.

When each of the Bobyks attended Ryerson, program sizes were relatively small, helping students get to know everyone.

John’s memories of the early years at Ryerson include chariot races around the parking lot, engineering students carrying a Volkswagen up the stairs to the rector’s office, and Friday night sock hops in the gymnasium for 25-cent admission.

Trevor remembers the fun of Frosh Week scavenger hunts and parties. Top of mind for Chris and Pauline are the Ryerson picnics at the beginning of each year. These included a parade down University Avenue, for which each department designed a float.

The campus itself may have started off small, but Ryerson has come a long way. “Today, it’s massive, with buildings all over, and it’s a degree-granting institution,” Chris adds. “But one of the appealing things about Ryerson is that it’s still a small school in character, like a family.”

Says Trevor: “Looking back, the people I met were the best part of going to Ryerson.”

Memories of Ryerson
John: 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.

Ryerson hangouts over the years
John: The tuck shop, Steele’s Tavern (a Yonge Street landmark), or the nearby Edison Hotel tavern, where you could get a beer for 10 cents

Ann: The library (“We were a studious bunch”)

Chris: Oakham House, or with friends at the O’Keefe House residence

Pauline: Oakham House with Chris, or the Library

Trevor: Rogers Communications Centre, Pitman Hall residence, the Ram in the Rye pub or in his final year, The Last Call at the new Mattamy Athletic Centre

This story is based on a story published in the Summer 2018 issue of Ryerson University Magazine. To read more from the issue, open the digital edition (external link) , the accessible edition (external link)  or the mobile edition (external link) .