Loblaws grocery stores was founded in Toronto, Ontario in 1919. By 1928 they had expanded into the United States, including the Buffalo, NY area. In the mid-1970s the Buffalo stores were bought out by Bells supermarkets. The two companies still maintained a working relationship where Loblaws supplied Bells with generic foods (First the yellow and black “No-Frills” line & later the slightly more upscale “President’s Choice”). Bells lasted another twenty years in the Buffalo area before being bought out by Quality Markets. Loblaws is currently the largest supermarket chain in Canada.
April 1950 was the first time that Diocese of Buffalo awarded the newly created Boy Scout Pelican award. The Most Rev. John F O’Hara (yes the high school was named in honor of him) presented the award at St. Joseph New Cathedral.
The men receiving this award were:
Buffalo Council: William F Payne, George Weinfurter, Charles F. Eichhorn, John M Gavin and William Robillard
Senecal Council: Dr. James L. Hayes (Olean)
Genesee Council: Francis J. Guppenberger (Batavia)
Niagara Frontier Council: John B. LaMunsch (Niagara Falls)
Chautauqua County Council: Bernard G. Dougherty (Dunkirk)
Lewiston Trail Council: William J. Madden (Lockport)
153 boys received the Ad Altare Dei Award. This award was started in 1926 to recognize Roman Catholic alter boys and is still awarded today.
Buffalo News and Buffalo Courier Express newspaper clippingsTop left photo- Gerald Hathaway of Our Lady Rosary parish in Niagara Falls receiving award from Bishop O’Hara, Top left photo (from left to right) William Robillard, George Weinfortner, Charles Eichhorn, William Payne and John Galvin.Boy Scouts and their families entering the cathedral for the rally
