Thursday, January 31, 2008

Group Shot

In this picture: Steve Gilbert, Peter Paulson, Paul Napolitano, Lorne Aronson, Gord, Rick Ellis, Marty Whittenbols, Frank Gradini, Larry Hoes, JJ Martin

Photo from JJ Martin

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Hurry Up with that Order, Kid!

In this picture: Carl Christie, Holly Ackers

Photo contributed by Donna Ackers.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Obituary: RAYMOND "DUSTY" NUGENT

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean (nee Prokaska); his daughter, Jo Anne Nugent; son-in-law, John Crewson; and his beloved granddaughter Julia, as well as the many members of his extended family. Ray was a proud veteran of World War II. He worked for over 50 years in a job he truly enjoyed at the Toronto Stock Exchange. He loved his family, the Toronto Blue Jays, and eating home baked goodies. A celebration of his life will be held in June. Memorial donations to the Trillium Health Centre, Mississauga would be appreciated. We will miss his sense of humour, especially the corny jokes. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 905-279-7663.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Obituary: LEONARD WEBB

WEBB, Leonard Len Joseph. Suddenly, on January 25, 2008 at age 73. Beloved husband of Norah. Dear father and friend of William (Bill). Predeceased by his parents Frank and Ida Webb. Will be sadly missed by his many cousins. Len enjoyed a 45 year career as a Toronto Stock Exchange floor trader and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him. A service of remembrance will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600) at 1 PM Tuesday January 29, 2008 with visiation one hour prior. Flowers gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations in Len's name to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be made through http://www.koprivataylor.com/.

Random Shots in Dec '86

From Donna Ackers.

1. In this picture: Ken Cannon, Peter Barker, Bob Christie, Joe Murphy
2. In this picture: Doug Christie
3. In this picture: Ted Gamble, Mike Carpe
4. In this picture: Dave Stephens, Kal Bhegani, Jack Elliot
5. In this picture: Barney Donaghy, Barry Rowe, JJ Martin
6. In this picture: Barney Donaghy
7. In this picture: Barney Donaghy, JJ Martin, John Newell

Friday, January 25, 2008

Traders Dancing

From Donna Ackers.

Jack Harvey bustin' a move at a Trader's Dance in 1986.

From Left to Right:

Paul Napolitano & John Newell with their wives at the Trader's Christmas Dance in 1988.

Elaine Newell & Tim House dancing away.
Barney Donaghy & John sharing a moment at the Trader's Christmas Dance in 1988.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Jimmy's Big Day

Photos contributed by Donna Ackers.

Jimmy was surprised that friends on the floor had ordered him a gorilla for his birthday, unlike what they ordered for Don Bainbridge's big day.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

10,000 HITS!!!

The TSE Traders Archive has surpassed 10,000 hits since its first release in August 2007! Thanks to all who contribute & visit this site regularly. Please continue to send in your stuff & forward this site to anyone who used to work on the trade floor.

Bob Pete & His Post 2 Chicks

From Donna Ackers.

Bobby used to take his Post 2 chicks on his boat in the summer.

In this picture: Bob Pete, Vicki, Terri Lynne-Chris, Kim O'Neil, Terry Ackers, Anna Corlucci
Carl was at the Yacht Club waiting for their return.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Elliot's Wedding - May 30, 1990

From Donna Ackers. Oddly, there were no pictures of Elliot or his bride.

1. In this picture: Darren Cudmore, Jeff Gamble, Howie Oram, Kal Bheghani, Gord Gladney, Tony Oram, Bill Manos, Terri Ackers, Gary Baker, Kim O'Neil, Dave Stephens, Anna Carlucci, Donny Greco, Angie Oram, Patty Knick, Lisa Stephens, Doug Stephens
2. In this picture: Howie Oram, Darren Cudmore, Jeff Gamble, Tony Oram, Kal Bhegani, Gord Gladney, Bill Manos, Gary Baker, Dave Stephens

Friday, January 18, 2008

Photos from Steve Welch

1. 1982

In this picture: Jim Taugher, Steve Welch, Chuck Faultless
2. 1982

In this picture: Andy Fricker, Frank Koren, George Ellerby
3. 1982

In this picture: Steve Mihalis, Gord Gladney, Steve Welch, J.J., Doug Christie
4. Tall Ships June 1984

In this picture: Paul Naponitano, Billy Budd, Alex Phillips, Tony Torella

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Photos from Steve Welch

1. 1982

In this picture: Jack Elliott, Mike Binns
2. 1982

In this picture: Ike Ross
3. 1982 Last Day at Bay St.

In this picture: Steve Welch, Steve Gilbert

4. Traders Picnic 1972

In this picture: Steve Welch, George Ellerby, Dennis Hill, Terry Blackwell
1982

In this picture: Chris Martin, Steve Gilbert

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Busy at Work

From the Toronto Stock Exchange Archives

1. In this picture: Dave Munroe
2. In this picture: Dixie, Duggan
3. In this picture: Carl Christie, Marie Vader

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Busy at Work

In this picture: Ken Rathgeber, George Eagleson, Terry Sharon, Harry Abbey, Len Andrews, Bruce Burry, Jimmy "Too Tall" Marx

Friday, January 11, 2008

Map of the Trade Floor

From the Toronto Stock Exchange Archives

Thursday, January 10, 2008

A Tribute to Jimmy Ackers (continued)

From: Ackers, Terri
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 3:34 PM
To: Ken Rathgeber (Scotia Capital)
Subject: An add on to Mike's tribute to my dad and the Floor Trader's Association

Hi Kenny, I of course have a contribution to this tribute. I remember those kids Christmas parties like they were yesterday. Once I was too old to collect a gift, I started helping my dad and the others (Kenny Apple, Paul ‘the wop’, Scotty Zu…..). Even as a kid, I remember my dad putting together the Toronto Floor Trader’s Association stationary…he used to have my mom type up the party notices way back in the day before computers. The parties were exceptional. No child left without a toy and the entertainment was always great. And Santa, let us not forget Budd Moore and Arnie Coones….the 2 Santas I remember most. I seem to recall that the time stampers were always the hit of the day with the kids though. To those ‘next’ generation TSEers like my brother Mike and myself……remember hanging around in the Cork room after the parties? I know Brad and Jeff Tonkin, and their sister Shannon must remember (Bruce Tonkin’s ‘kids’)…..our parents hung out after the parties. And God love Nat in his upstairs room in the Cork room, he always had a toy or something cool to offer when we visited.

As for the Annual Trader’s party in the Harbor Castle, I have some great pictures of some of the finest dancers ever (NOT)…..like Bobby Pete, Jack Harvey, my mom. It was always so fun to see everyone in their best formal wear, best behavior was never an option with this crowd, but looking good was.

One very popular event Mike didn’t mention was the race track nights. They started out “for the boys only”. My dad had a bus driver friend with Grey Coach (Smitty) and used to organize the bus ride to the track for all the guys. I was young when I woke up to a houseful of dad’s trading floor friends and a Grey Coach bus parked in front of our house…on more than one occasion! Then, the spouses/girlfriends were included and the event became even bigger. If I remember rightly, there was a Spring night for the men only and then a Fall night for the couples. Those were the races where the guys were placing $2 bets at the table in front of their wives, then excusing themselves to the bathroom so they could run and place their “real bets”. Again, the Traders Association knew how to plan a party!

There were also the Golf Tournaments. I can’t comment much on them as I never attended, but I do remember that they too were a big hit. As someone recently said to me…..thank God for Jimmy Ackers and the Trading Floor Association….if it weren’t for them, we would have just gone out drinking all night all the time!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Trade Floor Mementos

Invitation to the celebration of the historic old trade floor closure.

Contributed by Fred Ketchen

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Before Steamer's Retirement

In this picture: Colin Fraser, John Pitfield, Jimmy Dimson, Ray Zemaitis, Ron Seymour, Brian McConell, John (Steamer) Lucas, Don Walker, Donny Moss, Danny Brown, Tom Gardner, George Eagleson, Doug Stevens, Dennis Cannon

Photo contributed by Tom Gardner

Monday, January 7, 2008

A Tribute to Jim Ackers and others of the TSEFTA by Mike Ackers

The floors were more than just a group of individuals gathered to do buiness, they were a community. In every community there are people that go way out of there way to make the environment a healthy and social place to be. The following email sent to me from Mike Ackers salutes his father and the many others that gave to each and everyone of us.

From: Ackers, Michael
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 4:26 PM
To: Ken Rathgeber (Scotia Capital)
Subject: Hi Ken

Happy New Year. Hope things are well with you. Your Blog is great and we all appreciate the effort you put in to capture the significant history of the old floor. It looks like there's lots of interest in populating it, so I thought I'd put my two bits in as well. If you wish you could add it to the Thursday, December 13th posting. Also, please add my name to the email lists you're keeping. Thanks and take care. Have a read of the following...

God Bless Jimmy Ackers and all the effort he put into the annual Christmas Parties for the TSE Floor Traders Association. Mr. Ackers, along with the help of Harold Mayne, Paul Napolitano, Ken Macintosh, Scott Zufelt and Carl Christie organized the annual Santa Party for the kids and families of the TSE. Kids from the ages of one to teenagers were given individually selected gifts. Hundreds of gifts were provided with games, food and fun for all on the trading floor.

In addition, the annual Trader's dances were held for the men, wives and girlfriends at the Harbor Castle on the waterfront. These dances were elegant affairs in the grand ballroom. The glitz and glamour were very impressive to all. The men often dressed in Tuxedoes and the women in beautiful evening gowns. The Big Band entertainment presented some of finest music around.

I was one of the lucky ones in those days, because my dad was Jimmy Ackers. Our family had the privilege of attending the dance and staying in a beautiful suite in one of the upper floors of the hotel. We would spend the weekend there. These were some of the most memorable times for our family. Thanks dad, Jimmy, and all the fellows that organized those events. Those memories are precious.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Trade Floor Mementos

Thanks to Ann deVane for sending us these pics.

Membership receipt handwritten by Jimmy Ackers
Ann's old floor jacket
Burgess *84 pin

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Profile of ANN DEVANE (nee CUSCHIERI)


I worked on Bay Street at the old exchange back in 1979, 1980 and 1981. I think if my memory serves me Don Bainbridge was president back then, before Jimmy Ackers. Wow, the pictures and names sure do bring back a lot of memories. GREAT memories. What a fun time! Before political correctness and sexual harassment. When fun and pranks were just plain old fun. And it was all belly laugh - make your stomach hurt kind of fun! I can't think of a time in my life that I was more excited to get up and go to work than when I worked on the floor. It was a changing era, and I am forever grateful for having been lucky enough to have been a small part of it.

I was hired by Jimmy Taugher and initially worked for Burgess Graham Securities as a phone clerk while I pursued my license under the watchful eye of Peter Conacher (who was such a gentleman and blushed constantly). Mike Accera was the pro on BMO and mentored me. Howard Ellis and Donny Hamilton over in CATS also worked at Burgess at the time. After achieving my license, I became the only female equities floor trader at the time. There were females in options, but none on the floor. Jimmy explained I'd be breaking new ground, and would have to be able to tolerate a bunch of chauvinistic men. "What fun!" I thought to myself. The guys would try to embarrass me with some of the jokes they would tell. I would add their jokes to my collection and then watch them blush as I shared one of my own. The practical jokes and antics were second to none. The introduction of vibrating pagers on the floor proved for some hilarious moments. I can't remember the occasion, but I do recall coming in one morning and one of the posts being used as a clothes line sporting nothing but women's bras. There were telephone gags going on constantly. There was work being done, but the energy on that floor was unlike anything I've ever experienced since. I even tried my hand at the Chicago Board of Options, but it just wasn't the same.

Burnt toast for breakfast - who remembers that? We all used to order it that way - for real. And the Cork Room, you had to stop... for just one. $300 power lunches at Hye's...so many memories...of the best job in the world.

I came up with the likes of Matt Taugher, Jack Dunbar (who passed away from cancer in the late 80's), Rick Walker, Billy Walsh, John Moir Jr, Bruce Kirkby, Peter ?? (most of whom are not in any of the pictures). I really have not kept in contact with any of them and will watch closely to see how everyone is doing.

My stint on the floor was short-lived as I went to Jamaica with then post clerk Tracey Brown and met my current husband. Moved to Chicago and raised a family. Many of the guys from the floor shared my wedding with me at Glen Abby in Oakville.

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Why is Jim Barkwell wearing sunglasses?

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