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Principals | Vice-Principals | Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
This three-storey, junior high school on Harold Avenue West in the Transcona area of Winnipeg was designed by the local architectural firm of Ward Macdonald and Partners. Built in 1966 by the B. F. Klassen Construction Company for the Transcona School District No. 39, it was named for long-time school trustee John William Gunn. Initially, the structure contained 18 regular classrooms, a science room, a music room, an art room, a library, a two-room home economics lab, a three-room industrial arts area, and a gymnasium/auditorium.
The school opened officially on 18 November 1966 with a ceremony attended by Reverend W. T. Maxwell of St. George's Anglican Church, school board chairman Harold Coveney Hatcher, Assistant Deputy Minister of Education Robert William “Bob” Lightly, Transcona Mayor Harry Fuller, MLA Andrew Russell “Russ” Paulley, municipal councillor Bernard Rodolph “Bernie” Wolfe, and media personality Edgar Stanford “Ed” Russenholt.
In 1968, the building was expanded by eight classrooms designed by Ward Macdonald and Partners.
Period
Principal
1966-1975
Nicholas Frederick “Fred” Kasian (1913-1996)
1975-1982
Nestor Gylywoychuk (1936-2019)
1982-1993
Cecilia Ann Sheehan
1993-2004
Peggy Hobson
2004-2006
Deborah Kuhl-Magnusson
2007-2012
Sandra Dzuba
2012-2022
Dean Finlay
2022-2025
Ryan Francis
2026-?
Scott Harmacy
Period
Vice-Principal
1966-?
F. Fiorentino MEd
School Year
Teachers
1966-1967
Miss H. Berrie, Miss V. Brown, E. R. Douglas, J. Dueck, A. Ferman, Miss P. Fia, Miss J. Froese, W. Ganestsky, K. James, R. J. Katazinski, Miss L. Kathkin, H. Klassen, J. W. Korchak, William Kublick, B. Lai, D. Lefteruk, Miss K. McKay, Miss N. Moore (home economics), W. F. Paulishyn, Miss J. Rich, Mrs. D. Riedmueller, A. Stamler, J. Stephen, Mrs. S. Towse, and Mrs. C. Waddington (home economics)
Among the other teachers of John W. Gunn School was Beryle Mae Jones (15 years).
John W. Gunn School (October 2014)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Aerial view of John W. Gunn School (July 2025)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90202, W97.01159
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Manitoba Business: Prain and Ward / Ward and Macdonald / Macdonald Cockburn McLeod and McFeetors / MCM Architects
Manitoba Business: B. F. Klassen Construction Company
Memorable Manitobans: John William Gunn (1865-1946)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: John H. Gunn School (Kingsbury Avenue, Winnipeg)
“Membership welcomed,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 September 1966, page 20.
“Three schools planned,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 October 1967, page 3.
“Tender notice,” Winnipeg Free Press, 29 March 1968, page 41.
From Slate to Computer in the Transcona-Springfield Area 1873-1983 by Nan Shipley, 1983, page 350.
“Her students are the light of her life,” Winnipeg Free Press Weekly South, 12 May 1992, page 5.
Transcona: Celebrating 75 Years of Community, 1911-1986 by the Transcona 75th Jubilee Committee, Betty Ann Watts, ed., 1986. [Manitoba Legislative Library, F5649.T73 TRA]
We thank George Penner and Brent Miller for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 20 January 2026
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