V - Historic Wabana

PEOPLE OF BELL ISLAND

The People of Bell Island pages feature mini-biographies (in alphabetical order by last name) of some of the people who have lived and worked on Bell Island, or have had an impact on its history in some way. Much of the information comes from historical records and newspaper or magazine articles. Some will be from Census records and some from anecdotal accounts by people I have interviewed. It will always be a "work in progress," with information being added as it comes available. If you would like to add information for yourself or your family, or simply to have your parents or grandparents names added as a memorial to their life and work on Bell Island, get in touch by emailing:

[email protected]

To view the other biographies, hover your cursor over the People of Bell Island button in the menu at the top of this page, then choose from the drop-down menu of alphabetical listings.

Bios below as of August 2024:

John C. Vokey (1899-
Myrle Ivan Vokey (1939-2024)

John C. Vokey (1899-19??): General Surface Department employee. He was born in Spaniard's Bay, NL, July 30, 1899. He married December 29, 1925. He began working with Wabana Mines in 1912. As of 1955, he had been employed continuously with the company for over 43 years.

(Source: Submarine Miner, March 1955, p. 7.

Myrle Ivan Vokey (1939-2024): Educator; Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Executive Director Newfoundland & Labrador School Board Association; Executive Assistant to Minister of Government Services (NL). He was born on Bell Island, NL, May 18, 1939 to Ethel (nee Gosse, 1905-2001) and William Vokey (1903-1982), Section Foreman of No. 3 Slope. He received his early education at the Church of England Academy, Bell Island, before entering Memorial University in St. John's. There, he received a Diploma in Physical Education in 1960, a Bachelor of Arts (Education) in 1965, and a Bachelor of Arts (History) in 1966. He then received a Masters of Education (Administration and Curriculum) from the University of New Brunswick. In 1984, he received a Doctorate of Education (Teacher Inservice, Curriculum Theory and Administration) from the University of Toronto.

He began his teaching career on Bell Island in 1959 and then taught school in Corner Brook and St. John's. In 1967, he became the School District Supervisor for Conception Bay North, and in 1969, the Assistant Superintendent for Avalon North. From 1972 to 1986, he was the Director of Professional Development with the Newfoundland Teachers' Association. From 1986-2002, he was the Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Boards Association. He was also a Sessional Instructor in Student Teaching and Curriculum Development at the Graduate Level at Memorial University. He finished his working career as Executive Assistant to the Honourable Diane Whelan, Minister of Government Services for Newfoundland.

Related to his teaching career, he served as a member of the Canadian Teachers' Federation Quality of Education Committee, the Canadian Studies Foundation Board of Directors, the Canadian Studies Foundation Newfoundland Studies Project, and the planning committee for the National Conference on Quality Education (1975). He was chair of the Provincial Committee of Computers for Schools from 1994-2002.

(Information from a Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association news release, April 11, 2007)

From his obituary:
Being a lifelong learner and educator, Myrle completed his Doctorate of Education through the University of Toronto. He held a variety of roles in the field of education throughout his impactful career, including Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Director of Professional Development at the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador School Board Association. He also served as President of the Red Cross for both Newfoundland & Labrador and Canada. Additionally, he performed innumerable speaking engagements and is credited with creating the world-famous ‘Newfoundland Screech In’ ceremony. He was the recipient of many accolades and awards including the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year. Myrle had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world. He interacted with royalty, dignitaries and politicians with the same ease as he would with his family and friends while playing a hand of cards at the kitchen table.
Myrle’s dedication to community service was a lifelong commitment for him. Some of his more significant contributions to organizations include Red Cross, Church Lads Brigade, St. Luke’s Homes, Computers for Schools, Patron of Kids Eat Smart, Eastport Festival, and St. John’s Gospel Folks Senior Choir.
Anyone who knew Myrle Vokey would know his passion for music. A self-taught musician, he played piano, guitar and accordion and could perform any tune requested (as long as it was recorded prior to 1965!). His repertoire comprised ‘good-old fashioned’ music; the country and western tunes that he loved so much, including his beloved Jim Reeves. Myrle was truly the life of the party, and he loved nothing more than a rousing sing-song. Friends could be at the door saying goodbye, and he would launch into another few songs extending the party as long as he could.

Myrle had fond memories of his childhood on Bell Island filled with shenanigans and escapades with his friends, and, as a popular after-dinner speaker, would keep audiences spellbound with stories of those days. He was a constant champion and advocate for his hometown of Bell Island and, in his later years, worked long and hard to bring as much prosperity to Bell Island as he could.

Myrle Vokey died August 17, 2024.

The photo below is of Myrle's father, William Vokey, from the May 1955 edition of the Submarine Miner, p. 6.