Johnny Noubarian

From a young prodigy to a celebrated jazz musician, Johnny Noubarian’s musical prowess earned him substantial success throughout his life. After demonstrating an interest in music as a young child, Noubarian’s parents sought to encourage their son’s talents by purchasing him a piano and enrolling him in lessons. Noubarian’s first taste of recognition came at only eleven years old when his penchant for boogie music earned him the moniker ‘the Keyboard Kid.’ Noubarian’s dedication to his art followed him into adulthood with his jazz group, the Johnny Noubarian Quartette, earning a recording contract with Demo Records in the 1950s. Following their rise to fame, the Johnny Noubarian Quartette drew crowds throughout their tour of Ontario and the American Midwest. 

Nidjane Krigorian

Nidjane Krigorian (Neshan Krekorian) became the subject of local interest following his escape from the Titanic in 1912. After the ship’s collision with an iceberg in the Atlantic, Krigorian was denied entry on many of the earliest lifeboats. He had to wait amongst confused and terrified passengers aboard the ship before being offered the opportunity to escape. While Krigorian’s experience was undoubtedly newsworthy in its own right, local media perpetuated the belief that Krigorian dressed in women’s clothes to gain early access off the sinking ship, an accusation that Krigorian rejected. It has been speculated that Krigorian’s traditional Armenian attire was misidentified as female clothing by survivors, leading to a false narrative within the media. He is the great uncle of  Lee Ann Krekorian Chan, owner and pharmacist of Eagle Place Apothecary.

John V. Basmajian 

A celebrated physician, anatomist, author and professor, John V. Basmajian gained national renown for his pioneering work in the fields of electromyography and biofeedback. Following the outbreak of World War II, Basmajian served in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, earning the rank of captain. Upon his return to Ontario, Basmajian enrolled at the University of Toronto where he earned his MD in 1945. Between 1949 adn 1986 Basmajian worked as a professor of anatomy and medicine at various universities throughout North America. Basmajian’s passion for education inspired him to serve as the chairman of the Kingston Board of Education while providing pivotal support for the founding of St. Lawrence College.  His groundbreaking research on biofeedback and electromyography revolutionized the understanding of muscle control and rehabilitation, earning him the Order of Ontario in 1991. In 1994, Basmajian’s contributions to medical science earned him the honour of Officer of the Order of Canada, the second highest award granted by the Canadian government. 

Artin Kirkonian

Artin Kirkonian gained local fame in the 1960s for his extraordinary longevity. After immigrating to Canada in 1911, he worked for Brantford institutions like Cockshutt’s Lumbermill and Brantford Cordage. A certificate of longevity was issued by the Governor-General in honor of Artin Kirkonian on his 101st birthday. Naturally, curiosity about his remarkable longevity spread nationwide. Without any pretense, Kirkonian, the "star of longevity," shared his secret to a long life—avoiding shoveling snow in winter. While simple, his advice held as much weight as complex medical theories. His down-to-earth nature was also evident in his approach to the younger generation, saying, "They never listen to us anyway." Interestingly, Kirkonian’s father, Gregori, also lived a very long life, living to the age of 117 before being killed while protecting his horses during the Armenian Massacre.

Greg Roman

Born in Brantford on November 23, 1931, Greg Roman (born Stanley Gergosian) gained substantial renown as an actor throughout the 1950s-1960s. Following appearances in several plays and minor movie roles, Roman’s first significant role in a Hollywood film came in 1957, where he played the role of Minetti in The Naked and the Dead (1958). Roman’s success followed him into the television industry, where he appeared in the police drama The New Breed (1961-1962), playing the role of Officer Pete Garcia alongside fellow Canadian Leslie Nielsen. 

Harry Barberian

Armenian-Canadian Harry Barberian gained substantial success as an entrepreneur throughout the 1950s-1960s. After working in several restaurants in Brantford, Barbarian opened his first restaurant in 1959, the Barberian’s Steak House, which remains a Toronto institution to this day. Barberian’s success encouraged him to expand his influence throughout the culinary industry, becoming involved with six other restaurants in the Toronto area and creating innovative new recipes. Alongside his work in the restaurant industry, Barberian also demonstrated a passion for collecting Canadian art, promoting community involvement in politics and improving the Canadian penal system by developing paid job opportunities for prisoners within the construction industry.