Paikowsky Family

Paikowsky Family

 

Jacob Paikowsky (1888-1960) and Harriet Paikowsky (1889-1963)

 

Jacob Paikowsky was born in Poland and came to Saint John in 1918 after growing up in the United States. He married Harriet Gilbert of Saint John in 1912 and they moved to Waterville, Maine where they remained until 1918.

 


Harriet Paikowsky was born in Montreal, a daughter of Harris and Gertrude Gilbert. Her three brothers were Samuel, Ernest and Joseph and her two sisters were Annie and Bessie. Ernest Gilbert also worked in Duval’s Hardware Store.

 

Their son, Morton was born in Maine and their daughter, Rhona (Hoffman) in Saint John. When the family moved back to Saint John, Jacob became the owner and manager of Duval’s Hardware on Waterloo Street where he worked for forty years. The store was formally incorporated in 1933 and sold hardware, toys and school supplies.

 

The family home at 113 King Street East was built in the 1941, one of only a few buildings constructed in the early years of the Second World War.  This was much later than the Victorian and Queen Anne buildings that line much of the rest of King Street East. The house was an example of the simplified Colonial Revival style with a hipped roof, symmetrical façade and wooden shutters. The family home was the site of many community events and gatherings. The Paikowsky home was demolished in the summer of 2023.

 

Morton Paikowsky


Morton Paikowsky (1918-1967), took over Duval’s Hardware store from his father, until his untimely death of a heart attack when he was only 48 years old. 

 

Morton Paikowsky enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on July 28, 1943 and served for just over a year until December 7, 1944. He was an Aircraftsman Second Class (AC2) attached to #5 M Depot in Lachine, Quebec. His postings included the #1 Wireless School, Montreal, #39 Training School, Victoriaville, Quebec and #1 Wireless School, Mount Hope, Ontario. He had applied for ground crew as a wireless mechanic and passed the War Emergency Training Program. He was a recipient of the General Service Medal.

 

Morton married Bessie Frances Rabkin (1917-1984) on September 14, 1941 and they had two children – Jason and Sandra.

 

Dr. Sandra Paikowsky moved to Montreal and was a professor of art history at Concordia University for more than 40 years. While there she founded the first Canadian art history program, was curator and director of the Concordia Art Gallery from 1981 to 1992 and was co-founder, managing editor and contributor to the Journal of Canadian Art History for more than thirty years. She contributed six articles on Canadian art to Canadian encyclopedias. Her efforts enhanced the study of Canadian art. She was named as a Member of the Order of Canada in November 2015.

 

Jason Paikowksy


Jason Paikowksy studied at UNB Saint John where he was chair of Frosh Week and co-authored a report on the future of the campus. He continued his studies at York University and has worked in the film and television industry.

 

 



References:

  • Louis I. Michelson Archives and Research and Exhibition Files, Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
  • Marcia Koven – Weaving the Past Into the Present (Saint John: 1989 and 2008)
  • The Evening Times Globe / The Telegraph Journal (Saint John newspapers)

 


To comment on this story please send an email to sjjhm@nbnet.nb.ca 



This project is made possible with funding from the Archaeology and Heritage Branch, Province of New Brunswick through their Exhibit Renewal Digital Component program and the unwavering support of the Jewish families who made Saint John their home.


 


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