Bill Zufelt - 2023 Recipient of the Jean Hibbert Memorial Award
Bill Zufelt with the 2023 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award at the EHS AGM at Montgomery's Inn on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
At the May 18th, 2023 Annual General Meeting, EHS presented Bill Zufelt with the 2023 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.
Bill Wallace Zufelt is a composer, performer, author, music educator and podcast host who has lived in Etobicoke most of his life. After graduating from Martingrove Collegiate Institute in 1971, Bill began studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1976.
Bill and his wife Christine have been residents of Long Branch since 1978. Bill began a career in music in 1974, first as Sherway Gardens Branch Manager for the Toronto Piano and Organ Centre and later as Institutional Sales Manager for Steinway and Sons Pianos. As a music composer, Bill was recognized by the Canadian Recording Industry Association in 1983 as a Certified Gold Record recipient for his song ‘Coming Home’ on the Polydor record label.
After retiring from Steinway in 1998, Bill went on to establish the Sherway Academy of Music in 2002. The Academy offers lessons in piano and other instruments with a mission of sharing the joy of music making with children and adults of all ages. Bill is active is his community as organist and Music Director for Humbervale United Church, and as a board member of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA).
Bill has been a tireless supporter of local history in South Etobicoke having researched and written articles that have appeared in The Etobicoke Guardian, the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press and the website of the LBNA. As the Long Branch Historical Society closed down several years earlier, in 2017 Bill initiated the History and Culture Committee of the LBNA and has been its Chair since.
He has been instrumental in supporting the protection of important area heritage homes such as 58 Wheatfield Rd in Mimico which was awarded full heritage designation. His efforts also helped to establish four ancient trees in the Long Branch area as heritage trees including a towering 200-year-old Red Oak affectionately known as "Big Red" and the majestic “Appleby Catalpa”.
To celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Long Branch neighborhood in 2019, Bill helped initiate two large pubic events. "The Cottage Years" at the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, a month-long summer exhibition of nostalgic photos, drew over 1000 visitors. This was followed in the Fall by a large 135th Anniversary celebration at Marie Curtis Park in tandem with the first Long Branch Tree Festival.
With the pandemic shutting down public gatherings in 2020, Bill took the Long Branch Tree Fest online with a virtual heritage tree tour on YouTube. His present community projects include refreshing the Historical Display at the Long Branch Public Library and redoing the 6000 square foot mural at the TTC Long Branch Loop.
Bill’s other interests and hobbies includes outdoor structural carpentry, railroading (both live and model), playing accompaniment to Silent Films and digital archiving of vintage phonograph records.
The Etobicoke Historical Society is pleased to present Bill Zufelt as the recipient of the 2023 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.
Bill Wallace Zufelt is a composer, performer, author, music educator and podcast host who has lived in Etobicoke most of his life. After graduating from Martingrove Collegiate Institute in 1971, Bill began studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1976.
Bill and his wife Christine have been residents of Long Branch since 1978. Bill began a career in music in 1974, first as Sherway Gardens Branch Manager for the Toronto Piano and Organ Centre and later as Institutional Sales Manager for Steinway and Sons Pianos. As a music composer, Bill was recognized by the Canadian Recording Industry Association in 1983 as a Certified Gold Record recipient for his song ‘Coming Home’ on the Polydor record label.
After retiring from Steinway in 1998, Bill went on to establish the Sherway Academy of Music in 2002. The Academy offers lessons in piano and other instruments with a mission of sharing the joy of music making with children and adults of all ages. Bill is active is his community as organist and Music Director for Humbervale United Church, and as a board member of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association (LBNA).
Bill has been a tireless supporter of local history in South Etobicoke having researched and written articles that have appeared in The Etobicoke Guardian, the Etobicoke Lakeshore Press and the website of the LBNA. As the Long Branch Historical Society closed down several years earlier, in 2017 Bill initiated the History and Culture Committee of the LBNA and has been its Chair since.
He has been instrumental in supporting the protection of important area heritage homes such as 58 Wheatfield Rd in Mimico which was awarded full heritage designation. His efforts also helped to establish four ancient trees in the Long Branch area as heritage trees including a towering 200-year-old Red Oak affectionately known as "Big Red" and the majestic “Appleby Catalpa”.
To celebrate the 135th anniversary of the Long Branch neighborhood in 2019, Bill helped initiate two large pubic events. "The Cottage Years" at the Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre, a month-long summer exhibition of nostalgic photos, drew over 1000 visitors. This was followed in the Fall by a large 135th Anniversary celebration at Marie Curtis Park in tandem with the first Long Branch Tree Festival.
With the pandemic shutting down public gatherings in 2020, Bill took the Long Branch Tree Fest online with a virtual heritage tree tour on YouTube. His present community projects include refreshing the Historical Display at the Long Branch Public Library and redoing the 6000 square foot mural at the TTC Long Branch Loop.
Bill’s other interests and hobbies includes outdoor structural carpentry, railroading (both live and model), playing accompaniment to Silent Films and digital archiving of vintage phonograph records.
The Etobicoke Historical Society is pleased to present Bill Zufelt as the recipient of the 2023 Jean Hibbert Memorial Award.