Mervin L. "Merv" Himes

Other Events:

• Military: WW2
• Name: Merv Himes
• Occupation: Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Merv Himes Limited
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-45964

Notes:

Big band leader Merv Himes dies

By Philip Jalsevac Record staff

Big band leader Merv Himes, who led a golden era of music in this region in the late '40s and early '50s, died at age 71 in Florida Wednesday.

His name will be recalled with fond nostalgia by an older generation who frequented dance halls like Parkview Gardens in Listowel and Brant Inn in Burlington, but most particularly the Rosslyn Grove in what is now Cambridge. Himes, a Hespeler native who played trumpet, led the 13-piece house band at the popular dance hall from 1949 to 1953.

Former patrons recall an evening dancing and listening to the Mervyn Himes Orchestra at Rosslyn Grove as a special occasion that attracted people from all over southwestern Ontario.

Himes joined the RCAF during the Second World War and performed in the air force band. After the war, he formed his orchestra in 1946. Among other accomplishments, an engagement at the prestigious Brant Inn earned the band airtime on CBC and the chance to play on the same bill with names like Frankie Laine, Maynard Ferguson and Oscar Peterson.

In 1954, music became more of a moonlighting affair, when Himes became a founding member of the Real Estate Board of Cambridge and set up his own came more of a moonlighting real estate agency.

In later years, he spent his time between his home in Cambridge and winter retreat in Naples, Florida, where he died Wednesday, reportedly of a heart attack and complications arising from pneumonia.

Longtime friend Wayne Freeman of Cambridge said Wednesday: "He was a prince. He was a real gentleman."

Marguerite Worden of Cambridge, whose husband, Peter played clairnet in Himes' band, recalled the Rosslyn Grove as a "very popular" spot. And leading the good times was Himes, whom she de scribed as "very personable, very well liked and admired. Just an all round nice guy."

A memorial service will be held Friday at First Presbyterian church in Naples and another memorial service is planned for some time early in the new year in Cambridge at Knox Presbyterian church. Himes is survived by his wife, Joy, and daughter Judy Himes, of Cambridge.

Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Thu., Dec. 20, 1990 C25

________________

Memorial to honor former band leader

CAMBRIDGE A memorial fund is being set up in memory of Merv Himes.

Mr. Himes, 71, died in hospital in Naples, Wednesday. Fla., He will be fondly remembered in this community for his musical talents.

A member of the American Federation of Muscians Local 226, Mr. Himes was a popular band leader for a number of years.

He founded and led the Merv Himes Orchestra and took part in several other musical organizations. The orchestra was the house band for Parkview Gardens in Listowel, house band for the Brant Inn in Burlington and the Rossyin Grove house band.

Mr. Himes, who lived in Cambridge during the summer and in Florida during the winter, is survived by his wife Joy and daughter Judy of Cambridge.. He was predeceased by his parents, Marjorie O'Connor and Harry Himes.

Mr. Himes led an active life in Cambridge and was the founder of Merv Himes Realty.

He was a founding and honorary member of the Cambridge Real Estate Board and served as president in 1954, 1955 and 1969.

Mr. Himes was also a member of the Preston Legion Branch 126 and attended Knox Presbyterian Church in Preston.

In lieu of flowers, the Merv Himes Memorial is being set up through the Knox Presbyterian Church, Preston, in Cambridge.

Occupation:
Property Management, Real Estate, Mortage Loans,

Mervin — Erna Margaret Dunn. Erna was born 1910; died Jul 2002, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 1 Aug 2002, Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

1. Judy Himes

Mervin — Joy. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-62804
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Errand Boy

Henry married Margaret Connor 20 Jun 1918, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret was born 5 Nov 1892, Dublin, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland; died 23 Dec 1974; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Margaret Himes
• Name: Margory O'Connor
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-120392

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-62796
• Immigration: 1870, , Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Driller

John married Lavinia Emma Mathewson 13 Apr 1868, London, England. Lavinia was born 22 Mar 1848, , England; died 13 Apr 1925, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 16 Apr 1925, Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lavinia Emma Himes
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-148861
• Immigration: 1870