Selkirk has been and still is home to some extraordinary people over the years. Some gave their lives for a better tomorrow, others traveled the world, created recreation, and gave transportation. Learn how these great individuals shaped our beautiful city into what it is today.
Follow the wartime service of James Laye, a Second World War veteran who stepped forward to serve in the Canadian Army alongside his brother Jack. As a dedicated member of Selkirk’s historic Dufferin Gang, his commitment and sacrifice in the defense of peace and freedom remain an enduring part of his family’s legacy and community history.
Jim and Betty Anne Gaynor were pillars of the Selkirk community, dedicating their lives to local sports, education, and civic engagement. Through decades of passionate volunteerism—from coaching minor hockey and baseball to serving on community boards—the couple left an indelible mark on generations of local youth and a lasting legacy of community spirit.
Learn about the wartime and family life of John V. Sinclair, a World War II veteran who courageously enlisted at just 17 years old. After surviving battlefield injuries in France—thanks to a dramatic rescue by his neighbor “Chappy” Adams—he returned home to Selkirk, dedicated 25 years of hard work to the Manitoba Rolling Mills, and proudly raised a remarkably vibrant family of 11 children.
Explore the rich legacy of the Kinsmen Club of Selkirk, from its wartime founding in 1944 through decades of dedicated community building. Guided by their motto “Serving the Community’s Greatest Needs,” the Kinsmen, Kinettes, and K-40 members spearheaded vital local projects—including the historical push to complete the Selkirk Community Pool, funding the Selkirk Recreation Complex, organizing community blood donor clinics, and transforming local playgrounds like Murray Sinclair Park.
Discover the incredible legacy of Selkirk’s Langlois family—from their roots in boatbuilding and life on Hecla Island to the remarkable story of nine brothers who all served in WWII and returned home safely.
Learn about the wartime sacrifice of Lawson Dillabough, a brave young man from Selkirk who answered the call to serve during the Second World War. As a dedicated member of the historic Dufferin Gang, his commitment alongside his neighbors and peers stands as an enduring testament to his community’s profound legacy of military service.
As the second oldest Masonic lodge in Manitoba, Lisgar Lodge No. 2 boasts a rich history of influential members and a century-long search for a permanent home. Explore its journey from early 1871 meetings at Lower Fort Garry through ten different temporary locations, to the construction of its historic 1920 brick temple at 209 Eaton Avenue and its modern transition into residential suites.
Born in Selkirk in 1929, Melvin “Mel” Joseph Clifford Bedard was a legendary Métis fiddler who dedicated his life to preserving Indigenous and regional musical heritage. A master of the Red River Jig style who counted Don Messer and Andy de Jarlis as close friends, Bedard won over 80 competition awards, recorded acclaimed albums, and mentored generations of performers before his induction into the Fiddlers Hall of Fame in 2013.
Remember the dedication of Otto Scramstad, a proud World War II veteran who answered the call to serve in the Canadian Army. Alongside his brothers Bob and Harry, he stood as a vital member of Selkirk’s historic Dufferin Gang, leaving behind an enduring legacy of family sacrifice and community service.
Paul Henrikson (1924–1992) was a Second World War Royal Canadian Navy veteran who served on the HMCS Uganda. After the war, he dedicated his life to education as a beloved teacher at Selkirk Collegiate and the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, while also serving his community as a town councillor, Deputy Mayor, and active member of numerous local clubs.