Fonds - Gerald Crane Taverner fonds

Gerald Crane Taverner was born in Montreal on July 19, 1928, to Colin Taverner, originally from Trinity, and Katherine Irene (nee Crane) of Whitbourne, Newfoundland. Educated at Lower Canada College and Le College de St. Cezaire de Rouville, he spent his entire career, over forty years, in the marine shipping world.

Employed at sea for six years, mainly in the West Indies and South America, he came ashore to work in various facets of the industry namely, stevedoring, agency and vessel management activities on the Eastern Seaboard. He later became involved with various shipping operations in many parts of the world, and ultimately took over the day-to-day management of vessels, both owned and time chartered by his employer of that time, Matthew Shipping Co. Ltd.

In 1969, he was invited to join Westshore Terminals, ultimately the largest marine bulk terminal on the west coast of the Americas, as Administrative Manager, arriving in Vancouver in January 1970 to take up the position prior to the commencement of Westshore’s operations in May of that year. Assigned to various management responsibilities, he ultimately held the position of Vice President from 1987 until retirement in May of 1991. Subsequent to retirement his services were retained in the capacity of Advisor to the President for a period of two years.

He later became an enthusiastic genealogist the main thrust of his research being the Taverner family tree. Mr. Taverner passed away in 2005 while residing in Delta, British Columbia.