Paul Brecken
Encyclopedia
Paul Ralph Brecken was a municipal and provincial level politician and World War I
veteran and teacher from Alberta
, Canada
.
. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science. In 1910 He married his wife Jessie Copeland from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The two of them moved to Calgary before the outbreak of World War I
. Paul became general secretary of the YMCA
in Calgary.
after his military career.
. He graduated in 1921.
He then became a High School teacher at Crescent Heights High School in Calgary, Alberta and taught from 1921 to 1951. Near the end of his teaching career, Paul got involved in city politics winning a seat as an Alderman.
During his teaching years Paul became a member and later General Secretary of the Kiwanis Capital District, and also had involvement with the Canadian Club.
as a member of the Conservative
party in the 1952 Alberta general election
. Paul served 1 term in term in the Legislative Assembly before his defeat in the 1955 Alberta general election
.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
veteran and teacher from Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Early life
Paul completed High School in 1908. In 1909 and went on to the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Science. In 1910 He married his wife Jessie Copeland from Winnipeg, Manitoba. The two of them moved to Calgary before the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Paul became general secretary of the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
in Calgary.
Military career
Paul left to fight overseas as an officer for the Canadian Army 4th Brigade in 1914. He was wounded in action in 1918 and returned home. He became a long time member of the Royal Canadian LegionRoyal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
after his military career.
Teaching career
After Paul returned home from the war, he went back to school attending Normal School in Edmonton, AlbertaAlberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. He graduated in 1921.
He then became a High School teacher at Crescent Heights High School in Calgary, Alberta and taught from 1921 to 1951. Near the end of his teaching career, Paul got involved in city politics winning a seat as an Alderman.
During his teaching years Paul became a member and later General Secretary of the Kiwanis Capital District, and also had involvement with the Canadian Club.
Municipal politics
Paul Brecken served 2 stints as an Alderman for the City of Calgary. The first was a period of a year from January 1, 1948 to December 31, 1949. He then served his last stint as Alderman from January 1, 1952 to September 4, 1960 the date of his death. He also served as a provincial representative during the years 1952 to 1955.Provincial politics
Paul Brecken was elected to the Legislative Assembly of AlbertaLegislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
as a member of the Conservative
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
party in the 1952 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1952
The Alberta general election of 1952 was the twelfth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on August 5, 1952 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.Ernest C...
. Paul served 1 term in term in the Legislative Assembly before his defeat in the 1955 Alberta general election
Alberta general election, 1955
The Alberta general election of 1955 was the thirteenth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on June 29, 1955 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
.