Ryerson Alumni - 2018 Summer - 29

T H E B O B Y K F A M I LY

Three generations
of Ryersonians
This university is in their DNA. The Bobyk family
shares memories and photos from decades past

PHOTOGRAPH BY MAY TRUONG

VERY YEAR, Chris Bobyk, Geography '84, shares a
rite of spring with his father: a trip to the Canadian
International Auto Show. The two also share deep
pride in being part of a three-generation family of
Ryerson graduates.
Generation one is Chris's father, John, Metallurgical Technology
'55, and mother, Ann, Fashion Design '55, who met in their first
year at Ryerson. [ 1 ] Generation two is Chris, and his wife, Pauline,
Food and Nutrition '84, who met in high school but cemented their
relationship at Ryerson. Generation three is their son, Trevor, Radio
and Television Arts '16. [ 2 ]
Chris's parents encouraged him to choose Ryerson ("due to the
quality of teaching and family/community atmosphere," John says),
and he and Pauline did the same with Trevor. But the deciding factor
for everyone was an excellent program that would be the cornerstone
to a fulfilling career.
"Ryerson has a strong co-op program where students work in the
industry they are studying," says Chris, who is 58. "I thought the
work term and applied nature of my program would get me launched
into a job after graduating. That turned out to be the case." [ 3 ]
Chris's initial job directly related to his studies, analyzing commercial and retail locations based on statistics and geography. He
worked in banking and retail real estate divisions before diversifying into land development services for commercial and residential
projects, starting his own company, BFH Realty Advisors.
John, now 84, joined Stelco after graduation. He launched and was
president of Thermadyne Welding Products for 23 years. He retired
at 65, but landed at Oakville Hydro, where he was chairman of the
board before fully retiring at 74. He served on the
←
Ryerson board for several years and was briefly
Memorabilia
vice-chair, and still sits on the board of several
from the family
non-profits.
Bobyk reflects
Ann, now 84, was the first female Gold Medallist
their time at
in fashion, meaning she excelled in both academic
Ryerson.

1.
Ann asked me to
the Sadie Hawkins
dance. I fell in love
the first day I saw
her.-John
2.
I wanted to get into
media production,
and Ryerson was the
top program. It was
tough to get into and
I was so pumped
up when I was
accepted.-Trevor
3.
Ryerson was THE
place to go for
fashion, and we
all got a job on
graduation.-Ann
4.
Commuting home
to Downsview from
Ryerson took over
two hours by bus,
streetcar, and walking
four miles up Keele
Street, which was
then a dirt road. So
at least three days a
week, I did homework
with my best friend,
Don Green, and

Summer 2018 / Ryerson University Magazine

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