Mike Filey
Mike Filey (born 1941) is a Canadian historian, journalist and author. He was awarded the Jean Hibbert Memorial Award in 2009 for promoting the city of Toronto and its history.
Early life[]
Born in 1941 in Toronto,[1] Filey attended high school at North Toronto Collegiate Institute and earned a degree in chemical technology from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.[2][3]
As a child Filey's family lived on Bathurst Street, just south of the iconic Honest Ed's.[4]
Career[]
Filey began his career at what is now the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, working there for nine years. He then worked for five years at the Canadian National Exhibition and four years at Canada's Wonderland.[2]
In 1972, he was an organizer of Heritage Toronto, a citizen's group interested in Toronto's history.[5] Since 1975, he has written the column, The Way We Were for the Toronto Sun. He has written more than two dozen books about the history of Toronto. Among the topics covered are Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), books with old photographs, and nine books of Toronto Sketches. He also has a radio show on New AM 740.[2] His guided walks include topics such as Toronto, Then and Now.[2]
According to his friend Alan Parker, another columnist at the Toronto Sun, Filey has been called "Toronto’s best-known historian".[6]
Personal life[]
He and his wife, Yarmila, live in Willowdale, Toronto.[3]
Publications[]
- Mike Filey (October 24, 2015). Mike Filey's Toronto Sketches, Books 10–12. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-3545-3.
- Mike Filey (March 31, 2014). Trillium and Toronto Island: The Centennial Edition. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-77070-550-0.
- Mike Filey (November 10, 2012). Toronto Sketches 11: "The Way We Were". Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-0765-8.
- Mike Filey (November 16, 2010). Toronto Sketches 10: "The Way We Were". Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-1161-7.
- Mike Filey (October 27, 2008). Toronto: The Way We Were. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55002-842-3.
- Mike Filey (April 2006). Toronto Sketches 9. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55002-613-9.
- Mike Filey (September 1, 2002). A Toronto Album 2: More Glimpses of the City That Was. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55488-059-1.
- Mike Filey (September 2001). A Toronto Album: Glimpses of the City that was. Dundurn. ISBN 978-0-88882-242-0.
- Mike Filey (2000). Toronto Then & Now. Magic Light Publishing. ISBN 978-1-894673-00-6.
- Mike Filey (June 1999). Mount Pleasant Cemetery: An Illustrated Guide. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55002-322-0.
- Mike Filey (April 1998). Discover & Explore Toronto's Waterfront: A Walker's, Jogger's, Cyclist's, Boater's Guide to Toronto's Lakeside Sites and History. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55002-304-6.
- Mike Filey (October 1, 1997). The TTC Story: The First Seventy-five Years. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-77070-079-6.
- Mike Filey; Victor Russell (July 25, 1996). From Horse Power to Horsepower: Toronto: 1890-1930. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55488-173-4.
- Mike Filey (October 1, 1996). I Remember Sunnyside. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-4597-1338-3.
- Mike Filey (September 1, 1993). More Toronto Sketches: The Way We Were. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55488-232-8.
- Mike Filey (1992). Toronto Sketches: The Way We Were. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-55002-176-9.
- Mike Filey (1989). Like No Other in the World: The Story of Toronto's SkyDome. Sun Controlled Ventures. ISBN 978-0-919233-31-7.
- Mike Filey (1986). Not a One-horse Town: 125 Years of Toronto and Its Streetcars. Mike Filey. ISBN 978-0-9691501-1-4.
- Mike Filey (1983). A Toronto Almanac : Things Typical, Topical & Trivial about Toronto : in Celebration of Toronto's 150th Anniversary. M. Filey. ISBN 978-0-9691501-0-7.
- Mike Filey (1979). Toronto City Life: Old and New. Nelson, Foster & Scott. ISBN 978-0-919324-40-4.
References[]
- ^ "Lecture: Mike Filey". Harbourfront Centre. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Mike Filey - 2009 Recipient of The Jean Hibbert Memorial Award". Etobicoke Historical Society. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
However, over 25 years ago now, Mike turned his interests to his true vocation – researching, documenting and speaking about Toronto's history.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Mike Filey". The Belleville Intelligencer. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^
Mike Filey (2018-11-17). "Memories of old Toronto". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2018-11-14.
No, more than that, because 758 is where I grew up while attending Palmerston Public School, playing in the back laneway that ran between Lennox and Bloor Sts., going to events at the K-Club in the basement of the old church at the corner of Bathurst and Lennox and watching movies at the Metro, Midtown or, most likely, Alhambra theatres.
- ^ "Three city halls still stand in Toronto". The Ottawa Journal. November 27, 1972. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^
Alan Parker (2008-11-09). "Five Questions for Mike Filey". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
As a researcher, writer and raconteur, Mike has been chronicling the life and times — past and present —of the beloved city of his birth for four decades. He’s been called "Toronto’s best-known historian" — and deservedly so.
Further reading[]
- "TO175: Historian Mike Filey On The Changing Face Of Toronto". CityNews Toronto. March 4, 2009.
- Ferguson, Jeremy (June 10, 1984). "Past Fascinations". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. p. 132 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1941 births
- Living people
- Writers from Toronto
- Ryerson University alumni
- Canadian columnists
- Canadian historians
- Canadian radio hosts