To mark the proud tradition of Black History Month a stamp featuring early Vancouver’s beloved lifeguard, Joe Fortes is being issued. With period images of the watery playground at English Bay and photos of Joe swimming and interacting with the community. The stamp was designed by Lara Minja of Lime Design, who has created previous issues of the Black History Month series.
Issue date: February 1, 2013.
About the Joe Fortes
Joe Fortes arrived in Vancouver from his native Trinidad and Tobago in 1885. An avid swimmer, he took up residence in the city’s English Bay where he taught swimming lessons and patrolled the beach. In 1894, he became an official city lifeguard. A beloved member of the community, he was recognized with a city funeral upon his death in 1922 and a memorial fountain at English Bay in 1927.
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