Clifton F. Carbin, B.A., M.Ed., LL.D.

Educator, Administrator, Lecturer, Researcher, Author & Deaf Community Leader

Clifton F. Carbin

Currently retired and devoting more time to occasional research and writing, specializing in Canadian Deaf historical subjects, and to explore old and new pursuits like travelling.

Current Residence:
Burlington, Ontario CANADA
Telephone/VRS: (289) 426–0245

EMAIL:
deafhistorian@gmail.com

MS Teams (formely Skype), FaceTime & Zoom:
Available upon request

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing."

Dale Carnegie (1888–1955)

Education, Earned & Honourary Degrees

1989 Doctor of Laws degree [Honoris Causa], Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
1971–1972 Master of Education degree in Deaf Education, Western Maryland College [now McDaniel College], Westminster, Maryland. Degree conferred in 1974 upon completion of thesis: The Effects of A Continuing Education Program Upon Deaf Adults at Alberta College (Edmonton), September 1973, pp. 102.
1966–1971 Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Philosophy, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
1954–1966 Ontario School for the Deaf (now Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf), Belleville
1951–1954 Sacred Heart School, Espanola, Ontario

Employment History, Professional / Community / School Experiences

2013–2018 Co–Advisor (ex–officio), OSD–SJW Alumni Association (Ontario School for the Deaf / Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville). Also, previously held positions were Chair of Membership and Networking Committee, Chair of Website Development Committee, and Pro Temp Chair of Constitution and By-Laws Committee.
2013–2017 Advisor/consultant to the American steering/working committee to establish and incorporate a United States Deaf History national organization.
   NOTE: Was a guest presenter at the Inaugural U.S. Deaf History Conference in Delavan, Wisconsin (July 25–28, 2013).
2009–2012 General Chair, 8th Triennial Conference of Deaf History International, Toronto (July 24–29, 2012). First time on Canadian soil hosted by the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf.
2008–Present Present Various roles with the OSD–SJW Archives and Museum of Ontario School for the Deaf / Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville, Ontario (see 2004–2015 below). Since retirement, assisting as a volunteer, published historian, fundraiser, and remote consultant.
2005–2012 Editor, The DHI Newsletter (Deaf History International Bureau)
2004–2015 Manager, Special Research Projects, Provincial Schools Branch, Ontario Ministry of Education. Was assigned an additional responsibility from 2008 to 2015 to manage and supervise the OSD–SJW Archives & Museum of the Ontario School for the Deaf / Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville.
Fall 1998 Course Director, Deaf Studies, Teacher Preparation Program in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, Faculty of Education, York University, North York, Ontario. Also, an occasional lecturer in the programme since 1992.
1992–2004 Program Director, Information and Resource Services, Ernest C. Drury School for the Deaf, Milton, Ontario
1991–Present Member (1991–Present; Life Member since 2025), Newsletter Editor (2005–2012), Board Member (2015-2018), and an ex-officio Board Member (2018-present), Deaf History International Bureau. Was a plenary presenter ("Canadian Deaf Heritage") at the First Deaf History International Conference, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. (June 20–22, 1991). See also 2009–2012 above.
1991–1995 Program Director, Bilingual/Bicultural Education for Deaf Children (a program serving three provincial schools for deaf students – Sir James Whitney School in Belleville, Ernest C. Drury School in Milton, and Robarts School in London), Ontario Ministry of Education
1990–1991 Holder of the Powrie V. Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
1988–1991 Advisory Board Member, TRIPOD (A Support Service for Hearing Impaired Individuals and Families, Los Angeles, California)
1987–1990 Special Area Editor, The Canadian Journal of the Deaf
1984–1988 Vice–President, American Society for Deaf Children. Also, chairman (1988–1990) of its 12th Biennial Convention (held in Vancouver, B.C., 1990). Only time ever held on Canadian soil hosted by the Deaf Children's Society of British Columbia.
1982–1991 Executive Director, Deaf Children's Society of British Columbia, Vancouver
1982–1988 American Sign Language Instructor, Division of Community Education, Douglas College, New Westminster, British Columbia
1979–1991 Founder and Coordinator, Annual Summer Parent–Deaf Child Learning Vacation Experience, Squamish, British Columbia
1979–1982 • Provincial Director (1979–1982) and Secretary (1980–1982), Canadian Coordinating Council on Deafness;
• Board Member, Western Institute for the Deaf, Vancouver, British Columbia
1979–1980 Member, Planning Committee for the Committee for Centralized Educational Facility(ies) for Hearing Impaired Students, British Columbia Ministry of Education
1978–1982 • Co–Founder, President and Supervisor, Total Communication Children's Society (a preschool program for deaf children and daycare program for hearing children), Vancouver, British Columbia;
• Board Member, Council of Organizations Serving the Hearing Impaired of British Columbia;
• Representative, Social Planning and Review Council of British Columbia: Panel on Handicapped
1977–1981 Member, Provincial Educational Review Committee of the Hearing Impaired (PERCHI), British Columbia Ministry of Education
1976–1978 Board Member, Jericho Hill Preschool Society, Vancouver, British Columbia
1975–1982 Director, Counselling and Home Training Program for Deaf Children and their Families, Children's Hospital Diagnostic Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia
1974–1976 • Editor, The Deaf Canadian Magazine;
• President, Canadian Association of the Deaf. Also, Vice–President (1973–1974 and 1992–1993).
1974–1975 Educational Advisor, Alberta Department of Education on the Education of the Hearing Handicapped, Edmonton, Alberta. Also, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to investigate and prepare terms of reference for "An Advisory Board on Deafness to the Provincial Government of Alberta."
1973–1975 • American Sign Language Instructor, Communication Skills Program in Deafness, Alberta College, Edmonton, Alberta;
• Board Member, Alberta Association for the Hearing Handicapped
1972–1975 • Representative, Alberta Coordinating Council on Deafness;
• Teacher, Continuing Education Program for Deaf Students, Alberta College, Edmonton, Alberta
1966–1971 • Correspondence Secretary (1968–1969) and President (1969–1970 & 1970–1971), Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity, Gallaudet University;
• Co–Founder and Vice–President, Gallaudet Canadian Club, Gallaudet University, 1967;
• Member and team player, Ice Hockey Club, Gallaudet University, 1966–1971
1964–1966 • Editor, 1965–1966 School Year Book Committee, Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville
• Publicist (1964–1965) and President (1965–1966), Students' Council, Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville

Publications (Selected Articles)

  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2025): "Deaf School Founder Recognized by HCHS," Outlook (Hastings County Historical Society, Belleville, Ontario) Vol. 30 (no. 2) Issue 385 (February): pp. 6–8.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (in progress). "Deaf Colony Schemes in Canada." A book chapter in Colonialism in Deaf History, pp. ??–??. Edited by Breda Carty and Sam Lutalo-Kiingi. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press. This book includes other chapter presentations from the Deaf History International Conference 2018.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). “A Decade of Hard Work and Success, 2010–2020.” Society for American Sign Language Journal Vol. 5 (no. 1) (Spring/Summer): 13–29. Available online, tigerprints.clemson.edu/saslj/vol5/iss1/
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). “John Barrett McGann, Pioneer in Canadian Deaf Education.” Society for American Sign Language Journal Vol. 5 (no. 1) (Spring/Summer): 30–51.  Available online, tigerprints.clemson.edu/saslj/vol5/iss1/
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). “Wartime Emergency and the Education of Deaf Children, 1941–1944.” Society for American Sign Language Journal Vol. 5 (no. 1) (Spring/Summer): 52–72.  Available online, tigerprints.clemson.edu/saslj/vol5/iss1/
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (2014). "Remembering a Legacy: Samuel Thomas Greene." A book chapter in Telling Deaf Lives: Agents of Change, pp. 87–92. Edited by Kristin Snoddon. Washington, D.C., Gallaudet University Press. Note: This book includes other chapter presentations from the Deaf History International Conference 2012. A condensed reprint appeared in The Power of ASL (a newsletter published by the Society for American Sign Language) Fall 2017, Issue 7, pp. 1, 5–6.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Paul, Jennifer (2013). "Early Beginnings of Wisconsin School for the Deaf." In Inaugural United States Deaf History Conference. Program Book (July 25–28, 2013), p. 10. Hosted by the Wisconsin School for the Deaf Foundation, Delavan.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (2009). "Cogswell, Mason Fitch (1761–1830), Physician and Deaf Education Advocate." Entry in the Encyclopedia of American Disability History. Edited by Susan Burch (Editor–in–Chief). New York, N.Y.: Facts On File.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (2009). "A Short Account of the Origins of Deaf History International (DHI)." The DHI Newsletter No. 39 (Summer issue): 4–5.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (2005). "A Deaf Legend Almost Forgotten." CAD Chat (Canadian Association of the Deaf), Vol. 15 (no. 3) (Summer issue): 1.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Smith, Dorothy L. (1998, 1999). "Deaf Culture." In The Canadian Encyclopedia (on CD-ROM). Toronto: McCelland &Stewart. Also available on the Internet in English & French: thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/deaf-culture/
    encyclopediecanadienne.ca/fr/article/sourds-culture-des/
  • Smith, Dorothy L. and Carbin, Clifton F. (1998, 1999). "Hearing Loss." In The Canadian Encyclopedia (on CD-ROM). Toronto: McCelland & Stewart. Also available on the Internet in English & French: thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/hearing-loss/
    encyclopediecanadienne.ca/fr/article/audition-perte-d/
  • Carbin, Clifton (1997). "Canada's Many Deaf Aviation Pioneers." Newsletter of the International Deaf Pilots Association (Evanston, Ill.) (Winter issue): 1–4.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Smith, Dorothy L. (1996). "The Canadian Deaf Community: A Distinctive, Diverse, and Enduring Culture." In Merv Garretson (ed.), Deafness: Historical Perspectives – A Deaf American Monograph, Vol. 46, 21–25. Silver Spring, Maryland: National Association of the Deaf.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1995). " 'Service Above Self': A Canadian Tribute to the late David Piekoff." Deaf Life, Vol. 7 (no. 11) (May issue): 10–17, 19–21. Rochester, New York: MSM Productions Ltd.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1995). "A Great Deaf Canadian Gone." OCSD Bulletin (Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf) 3 (no. 5) (March–April issue): 1, 9; Deaf Canada 2 (no. 3) (Spring issue): 5–6; The O.A.D. News (Ontario Association of the Deaf) (Spring issue): 5.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1993). "Ontario's New ASL/LSQ Law – PAH!" Gallaudet Today 24 (no. 2) (Winter 1993–1994): 15–17. Also appeared in Vibrations (Canadian Hearing Society, Toronto) (Autumn 1993): 3–4; OCSD Bulletin (Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf) 2 (no. 3) (September–October 1993): 1, 10; Deaf Children's Society Newsletter (Vancouver, B.C.) 10 (no. 1) (September–October 1993): 14; Deaf Life (MSN Productions Ltd., Rochester, N.Y.) 5 (no. 3) (September 1993): 1, 3–4 of "Deaf Life Plus" section; Abuse of Deaf Students at Jericho Hill School (Public Report No. 32, Office of the Ombudsman of British Columbia) (November 1993): Appendix C; WFD News (World Federation of the Deaf, Helsinki, Finland) (nos. 3–4) (December 1993): 18; Gallaudet Alumni Newsletter 28 (no. 1) (September 1993): 3; The Endeavor (American Society for Deaf Children, Silver Spring, Maryland) (no. 4) (1993): 11; Deaf Canada 1 (no. 4) (September–October 1993): 2.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1992). "Education for Deaf Children: Past Trends and Rationale for Change." Ontario Deaf Education 1 (no. 1)(January–February): 1–2.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1991). "Canadian Deaf Heritage." Plenary presentation at the First International Conference on Deaf History, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. (June 20–22). Paper available on videotaped proceedings from Sign Media, Inc., Burtonsville, Maryland.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1988). "The Role of Deaf Culture in An Early Parent–Deaf Child Program." The Canadian Journal of the Deaf 2 (no. 2): 56–60.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1987). "A Look at Deaf Canada." The Canadian Journal of the Deaf (Canadian Association of the Deaf), Vol. 1 (no. 1) (Spring issue): 20–23.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1986). "Family Learning Vacation." The ACEHI Journal (Association of Canadian Educators of the Hearing Impaired), Vol. 12 (no. 2) (Fall issue): 124–128.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1986). "Cochlear Implants." Deaf Children's Society Newsletter (Vancouver, B.C.) 4 (no. 2) (March–April 1986): 1, 3.
  • Freeman, Roger D. and Carbin, Clifton F. (1st Edition – 1985, p. 115; 2nd Edition – 1988, pp. 144–145). "Auditory Impairment." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Publisher: Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton, Alberta.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1983). "Historical and Personal Perspectives on Deafness." The ACEHI Journal (Association of Canadian Educators of the Hearing Impaired), Vol. 9 (no. 2) (Summer): 130–134.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1983). "Deaf History: Long Neglected." Communication (Canadian Coordinating Council on Deafness), Vol. 7 (no. 3) (February issue): 6. This article also appeared in the September/October 1983 issue of Contact (Association for the Deaf in Ireland, no. 28.).
  • Carbin, Clifton F., Freeman, Roger D. and Boese, Robert J. (1981). "A Counselling and Home Training Program for Deaf Children." The ACEHI Journal (Association of Canadian Educators of the Hearing Impaired), Vol. 7 (no. 3) (Spring): 128–130.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1979) "A British Columbia Program for Parents and their Deaf Children." Hear Here (Canadian Speech and Hearing Association) 3 (no. 3) (April): 124–129.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1976). "A Total Communication Approach: A New Program for Deaf Infants and Children and their Families." B.C. Medical Journal (British Columbia Medical Association, Vancouver) 18 (no. 5) (May issue): 141–142.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1975). "Two-Way Communication Between Deaf Child and Adult: A Deaf Professional's Perspective." The Deaf American 27 (no. 9) (May): 15–16.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1974). "Language Learning in Deaf Children." Mental Retardation Bulletin (University of Alberta, Edmonton) 2 (no. 2) (Winter): 80–85.

Books Published Plus other projects in the works

  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Laurel L. Bishop (in progress), Co-Editors. A Deaf School Museum: Insights into the Exhibits on Display at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville, Ontario. Compiled by Donna J. Fano and Jennifer L. Wainwright. Anticipated release: Spring 2026. A publication of the OSD–SJW School Archives & Museum. 250–275 illustrated pages. ISBN 978–1–7388621–9–1.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (currently being researched and written). The Forgotten Visionary: John Barrett McGann, Pioneer of Deaf Education in Canada (tentative title with illustrations). Planned publication date: late 2026, subject to finding a publisher.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2024). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Nineteenth Century Campus Buildings. A condensed history, in booklet form, about campus buildings before the turn of the twentieth century at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–6–0.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2024). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Admission List of Pupils, 1890–1899. This booklet contains a list of 333 pupils who, from 1890 to 1899, attended the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–7–7.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2024). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: School Concerts, 1931 & 1958. In booklet form, a condensed history of two similar school plays in 1931 and 1958 at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–5–3.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2023). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Admission List of Pupils, 1880–1889. This booklet contains a list of 379 pupils who, from 1880 to 1889, attended the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school’s sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–3–9.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2023). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Charles Bernard Coughlin, Third School Head, 1906–1928. A condensed history, in booklet form, about the third superintendent at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–2–2.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2023). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Early Deaf Teachers, 1870–1931. This booklet features 19 short biographical sketches of early Deaf teachers known to work at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, between 1870 and 1931, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978–1–7388621–1–5.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2023). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Samuel Thomas Greene, First Deaf Teacher, 1870-1890. This booklet contains a condensed history of the life and career of the earliest known Deaf instructor at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-1-7388621-0-8.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2022). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Admission List of Pupils, 1870–1879. This booklet contains a list of 455 pupils who, from 1870 to 1879, attended the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-9-7.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2022). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Robert Mathison, Second School Head, 1879–1906. A condensed history, in booklet form, about the second superintendent at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-8-0.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2022). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: Wesley "Willie" Jones Palmer, First School Head, 1870–1879. A condensed history, in booklet form, about the first superintendent (aka principal) at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-7-3.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2022). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: First School Building, 1870–1922. A condensed history, in booklet form, about the original and demolished school building on the grounds of the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-6-6.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: RCAF Takes Over OSD, 1941–1944. This booklet recounts information about the Royal Canadian Air Force taking over the Ontario School for the Deaf in Belleville as one of Canada's seven introductory aviation training establishments for the duration of World War 2. Published in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-97-39374-5-9.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: John Barrett McGann, School Founder. A condensed history, in booklet form, about the founder of the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-4-2.
  • A Historical Glimpse of Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville, Ontario. Short video clips in film format produced by Donna J. Fano and edited by Clifton F. Carbin and Lucy M. Ross for its sesquicentennial anniversary, 1870-2020. ISAN 978-0-9739374-2-8. [Release date: TBD]
  • Carbin, Clifton F. and Donna J. Fano (2021). OSD–SJW Archives and Museum: A Decade of Hard Work and Success, 2010–2020. An account, in booklet form, of the archives and its museum at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, in conjunction with the school's sesquicentennial anniversary (1870–2020). Belleville: Mr. Print. ISBN 978-0-9739374-3-5.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (2005). Samuel Thomas Greene: A Legend in the Nineteenth Century Deaf Community. Belleville, Ontario: Essence Publishing. ISBN 1–55306–956–0. A project of the Ontario Association of the Deaf. <See reviews in Vibes (Canadian Hearing Society) by Joyce Lange; The DHI Newsletter (Deaf History International) by Cynthia Neese Bailes.
  • Carbin, Clifton F. (1996). Deaf Heritage in Canada: A Distinctive, Diverse, and Enduring Culture. Toronto: McGraw–Hill Ryerson Ltd. ISBN 0–07–551378–1. Sponsored by the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, this 648-page book has almost 500 black and white photographs throughout. <See reviews in Gallaudet Today by Susan Burch; Canadian Historical Review by Stéphane–D. Perreault; Canadian Book Review Annual 1996 by Laurie C.C. Stanley–Blackwell.>
  • Freeman, Roger D., Carbin, Clifton F. and Boese, Robert J. (1981). Can't Your Child Hear? Baltimore: University Park Press (now Austin, Texas:Pro–Ed, Inc.). ISBN 0–936104–40–6.
       NOTE: This book has been translated and published into five languages – Als je kind niet horen kan (Dutch/Flemish [Nederlands, 1984]), Døve Børn (Danish [København, 1987]), Hvad erheyrnarleysi? (Icelandic [Reykjavík, 1988]), Tvé Dítě Neslyší? (Czech [Prague, 1992]), and Seu Filho Não Escuta? (Portuguese [Brasília, 1999]).

Honours, Awards, and Recognition (Selected List)

  • Lifetime Membership, Deaf History International, for distinguished contributions to global Deaf historical scholarship. Awarded in absentia at the DHI Conference, Ghent, Belgium, 2025.
  • King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions and achievements to the Canadian Deaf Community and to Canada. Presented by the Canadian Association of the Deaf on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of the Governor General of Canada, February 2025.
  • Samuel T. Greene Service Award for outstanding service and contributions to the OSD–SJW Archives at the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf, Belleville, Ontario. Presented by the OSD–SJW Alumni Association, 2015.
  • Wall of Fame, The Corporation of the Town of Espanola, Ontario, 2013 Inductee
  • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant contributions and achievements to the Canadian Deaf Community. Presented by the Government of Canada, 2012.
  • 2010 PRIX REALM AWARD for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion, Ontario Ministry of Education, 2011 Nominee
  • Special Award ( "in recognition of his valuable contributions to the Deaf Community of Canada through the development of the book, Deaf Heritage in Canada" ), Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, 1996
  • Achievement Award, Ontario Association of the Deaf, 1996
  • Hall of Heroes, Canadian Hearing Society, 1996 Inductee
  • First Achiever's Award, Ontario Association of the Deaf, 1993
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Gallaudet Research Institute, Gallaudet University, 1991
  • Special Service Award, American Society for Deaf Children, July 1990
  • Doctor of Laws degree (Honoris Causa), Gallaudet University, May 1989
  • Award of Appreciation – Ten Consecutive Years of Service, 1979–1988, Annual Summer Parent-Deaf Child Learning Vacation Experience (British Columbia), July 1988
  • Award of Appreciation, Parents and Friends of Deaf Children's Society of British Columbia, 1982
  • British Columbia Year of the Child and Family Achievement Award, September 1979
  • National Cultural Award of Excellence (in chess, national champion), Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, July 1973
  • Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity Outstanding Member of the Year Award (Gallaudet University), 1971
  • Gallaudet Canucks – Team Champion, Washington Metropolitan Amateur (Chesapeake Bay) Ice Hockey League, 1969
  • Bronze Medallion – Played on the Canadian Basketball Team at the 10th World Games for the Deaf, Washington, D.C., Summer 1965. Also, played on the Canadian Volleyball Team at the 11th WGD in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Summer 1969.
  • The H.B. Fetterly Speech Award (Ontario School for the Deaf, Belleville), June 1965
  • Queen's Scout, March 13, 1964
  • The Royal Life Saving Society; Bronze Medallion #13218, 1961; Silver Medallion #9796, 1962

More Information

Nationality / Citizenship Canadian / Canada
Date / Place of Birth 5 January 1946 / Espanola, Ontario
Marital Status Married 45 years, one daughter; widower since 2022
Languages English, American Sign Language (ASL)
Computer Literacy Internet Navigation and Research Techniques, Windows 11, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photo Elements, MS Office 365, Messenger Applications (e.g., Teams [formerly Skype], Zoom Team Chat / Meeting, Facetime), Email (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Cogeco), Google Drive, Presentations/Slideshows (e.g., MS Powerpoint), Publications (e.g., MS Publisher), Writing (e.g., MS Word), Spreadsheets (e.g., MS Excel), Family Tree Maker (FTM). Sorry, I do not use Social Media (e.g., Facebook, X [formerly Twitter], Instagram).
Interests & Hobbies Surfing the Net, Golfing, Playing Chess, Collecting Deaf-Related Postcards (worldwide), Reading, Writing, Researching Canadian Deaf History, Working on my Family's History and Genealogy, Embarking on new leisure trips across Canada, the United States, and other countries, Taking on New Challenges
Travel Experiences Canada (9 out of 10 provinces), United States (32 out of 50 states plus the District of Columbia), England (3 times), France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Mexico, Sweden, South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, Australia
© Copyright
Updated: February 8, 2026