Memorable Manitobans: Thomas Rupert Hodgson (1910-1962)
Civil servant.
Born at Winnipeg in October 1910, son of Peter and Clara Hodgson, he attended St. John’s Technical High School and graduated in 1932 with an agriculture degree from the University of Manitoba, specializing in agronomy and agricultural economics. From 1933 to 1940 he assisted Frank L. Skinner in his horticultural work at Dropmore. During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Air Force, being captured by German forces and spending three months in the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. He served as a vocational training supervisor for returning veterans from 1946 to 1947, Assistant Park Superintendent for the City of Winnipeg from 1947 to 1950, and Parks Board Superintendent from 1950 to his death. In the latter capacity, he was instrumental in setting up Winnipeg’s Rainbow Stage.
He was a member of the Logan Neighbourhood House Board, Norquay Neighbourhood House Board, Welfare Council of Greater Winnipeg Board, city representative on the Greater Winnipeg Mosquito Abatement Board, Manitoba Greenkeepers Association Board, Winnipeg Summer Theatre Association Board, Canadian Legion, American Institute of Park Executives, American Association of Zoological Parks, Rotary Club, Westminster United Church, and Masons (Northern Light Lodge No. 10).
He died of cancer at Winnipeg on 1 February 1962 and was buried in the Brookside Cemetery. He is commemorated by T. R. Hodgson Park in Winnipeg.
Sources:
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
“Parks chief dies,” Winnipeg Free Press, 2 February 1962, page 12.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 2 February 1962, page 31.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 5 December 2018
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society.
Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:
Custom SearchBrowse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z | 2017
Send corrections and additions to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca
Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Our Inspiration | Acknowledgements
Support the MHS
|
For queries on the above page, please contact the MHS Webmaster. Home | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Donations Policy © 1998-2021 Manitoba Historical Society. All rights reserved. |