Joe Fortes was Vancouver's first official lifeguard. Born in Spain in 1863. He left his homeland in his teens he wandered for several years and eventually came to Granville town area. He lived in a tent on English Bay one of Vancouver's many amazing beaches where he spent all of his free time teaching children how to swim and patrolling the beach making sure everybody was safe and unharmed. The self-appointed unpaid guard continued to support himself by working odd jobs until, in 1900, the City appointed him its first official lifeguard. Joe had faced a lot of racism and criticism when helping people as he was a black male helping and "touching" white children just trying to help. People nicknamed him "Old Black Joe" or "English Bay Joe" and has been officially credited with saving 29 lives but the actual number of lives he saved by teaching those who couldn't swim is thought to be much more.
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Joe Fortes died on February 4, 1922, Vancouver held a record-breaking funeral procession for him. Mourners crowded into Holy Rosary Cathedral to say their farewells and final goodbyes. In June 1927 the citizens of Vancouver dedicated a monument to Joe Fortes. The fountain in Alexandra Park by sculptor Charles Marega bears the inscription:
This fountain erected by the citizens and children co-operating with The Kiwanis Club of Vancouver, Commemorates the life and deeds of Joe Fortes. For many years guardian of this beach. Little Children Loved Him. Written by Matthias B. |