Sweeney Cooperage
The other day I did a Google search for Sweeney Cooperage and came across this blog . The blogger is unidentified, otherwise, I would have just sent an e-mail with the information below. He or she is more likely to find it if I post something.
While I may not be a Sweeney by blood, I am a Sweeney by name and grew up in this large family, with lots of cousins. My childhood was full of memories spending time at the cooperage on weekends when Dad went to work in the office. I’ll blog more about that another day.
The person who wrote the blog relied on sources from the archives.
Initially Michael Sweeney’s cooperage was in Victoria; in 1921 it moved to Vancouver on False Creek (or 1914 depending on which source you read – although there’s no sign of them in the street directories that early).
Changing Vancouver Blog
The full story can be found in the Sweeney Christmas card of 1956 where ‘the old man’ (my grandfather M.Leo Sweeney) — another meticulous historian — wrote the story. I scanned it and it’s available here in pdf.
Christmas Card 1956 with History
3 Responses to “Sweeney Cooperage”
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Thanks for posting the detailed story of the company history; we’ve updated the blog post with the correct dates and details. It’s good that the existance of the cooperage is still acknowledged, although sadly not the Sweeney name.
Andy & John
19 Jun 2013 at 12:00 am
Enjoyed the articles on Sweeney Cooperage ,would you believe I went to Vancouver College with the Sweeney brothers namely Ed and as as young fellow high school age 15 years or so , worked in the plant in te summer under Leo Readon shipper ,as Bung man,and berry barrel waxer. have watched the old video production line with interest,nice all is recorded Understand Ed has passed away sometime ago?
Thanks
26 Feb 2015 at 5:19 pm
Hi Mr Towns — yes, i would believe that! It seems that many people from your era remember the Sweeney boys. I’m glad you liked the things I’ve posted. Ed died in 2006. Here is his obituary:
SWEENEY _ Edward Charles, passed away October 22, 2006 at the age of 76,
following complications from heart surgery. Predeceased by his father M. Leo
Sweeney, mother Mary Margaret, sister Leona Curley and brother Jake Sweeney.
Survived by his cherished wife of 51 years, Diane, and his loving and
devoted children, Steve (Shelley), Mary Lou (Murray) Phillips, Cathy (David)
Williamson, Leo (Shelley), Ed (Daphne), Jim (Alexandra) and Erin Sweeney. He
was blessed with grandchildren Kim, Kody, Marlisse, Jessica, Travis, Riley,
Liam, Isabelle, Natalie, Emily, Katie, Cooper, Joey and Julie,
great-granddaughter Kylah. He is also survived by his sisters, Margaret
Vallee, Patricia Battle and brothers Bill, Leo and Frank, nieces, nephews
and numerous friends. Ed was a proud member of a pioneer Vancouver family
and worked in the family business, Sweeney Cooperage, which was the largest
barrel making company in the British Commonwealth during its heyday. Ed
served five terms as an Alderman for the City of Vancouver. He held numerous
positions within the community including Director and President of the
Pacific National Exhibition, Director of the British Columbia Automobile
Association for 36 years, member of the Vancouver Port Authority, Executive
Director of the Captain Cook Bi-Centennial Committee, BC Marriage
Commissioner and was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. His
family was his passion and his proudest achievement and he will be
remembered as a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and
friend. Prayers 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 25, 2006, Sacred Heart Parish,
3900 Arthur Dr., Delta, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
11:00 a.m., Thursday October 26, Rev. Michael B. Martell OSA celebrant. In
lieu of flowers a donation to the charity of your choice would be
appreciated. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at:
http://www.kearneyfs.com . Kearney Funeral Services 604-736-0268
Published in the Vancouver Sun and The Province from 10/24/2006 –
10/25/2006.
03 Apr 2015 at 1:30 pm