Morris Louis Greene

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Birth: 1900 in New York City, NY

Death: February 28, 1972 in Vancouver, B.C.

Plot: Row Q – Plot 17

Inscription:
GREENE
In loving memory of
MORRIS L
GREENE
1900 – 1972
HANNAH C
GREENE
1902 – 1977

Biography:
Morris and Hannah married on September 9, 1926 in Seattle, Washington.

He was President of Congregation Emanu-El from 1954-5 and Co-President with Morton Raels from 1955-6.

Capital Iron: 1900 Store Street
The original building at this site was designed by Wright and Sanders in 1863 Dickson Campbell & Co., importer and commission agents. It was one of the first buildings along Store Street built after the first Johnson Street Bridge was removed. An addition was added in 1976.

In 1885, Mount Royals Milling Company operated in the space until it went bankrupt in 1907. Various tenants occupied the building until 1934 when Morris L. Greene rented the space. Morris was the son of Polish, Jewish parents who had immigrated to New York City. A relative was doing well in Prince Rupert and invited Morris to move to B.C. Morris went into the scrap metal business in Vancouver.

Morris opened his scrap metal business in Victoria under the name of Capital Iron & Metal Ltd. The facade of the buildings were modernized in the 1950’s. In the 1980’s Morris’ son Ronald Greene and company president restored the building’s 1890’s appearance.

Between 1934 and 1971 the company dismantled almost 100 ships. During WWII most businesses were supplying the war effort however, Capitol Iron offered locals a place to purchase sometimes hard to find salvaged or surplus items.

By 1961 Morris started selling hardware. After Morris’ death in 1972, under Ron’s direction, the scrap business evolved into a general store. Their inventory included clothing, housewares, home decor, and fishing, marine and camping equipment. The slogan “No Store Like It.” was adopted. Over time, the company expanded to a location in Sidney and Langford. Ron’s daughter Eveline and son-in-law Mike Black, and their daughter Kylie joined the company.

Challenges which arose from Covid-19 were cited as the reason that after almost 90 years this multi-generational store closed its doors in December, 2022.

Parents:
Annie Rachel Langer Greene (1878-1920)
Max Greene (1875-1916)

Siblings:
Mary Greene (1903-1988)
Sophie Greene (1908-1981)
Julius Greene (1911-2000)

Spouse:
Rae Leuchner (married on January 1, 1923 in Vancouver, B.C.)
Hannah Clare Greene (1902-1977)

Children:
Sura Clare Greene Sandekian (1930-2015)
Ronald Greene b. 1938

Additional Images: