The story of the Osborn’s service to their community started long before they were in the funeral business. This beginning of this family’s journey dates back in England, where Thomas Osborn (grandfather to Joan and Diane) became quite the renowned shoe maker. It was during the iconic Gold Rush, that word of his exquisite shoe making got around and he was contacted by a fellow to come to Dawson city, in the Yukon, and make shoes for all the miners. It was his decision then to say yes, and travel by boat, train and walked for days to make a name for himself and his family. After the Gold Rush subsided, Thomas made his way down the coast to Vancouver, where he convinced his long time love Emily Green, to move from England to be his wife.
After they wed, Emily blessed Thomas with 2 little mouths to feed, son Leslie and daughter Irene. In 1932, they moved their growing family and business to the rural community of Haney, where Thomas bought property on 224th (then 8th avenue) and he opened Osborn’s Shoe Store.
