McGiffin, Clare Vernon | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada

McGIFFIN, Clare Vernon (1887-1957), was the younger brother of Robert B. McGiffin of Toronto, and he followed in the footsteps of his brother, pursuing an interest in architecture and becoming a draftsman in the office of Chapman & McGiffin. Born in Oakville, Ont. on 20 November 1887, he studied at the School of Practical Science at the Univ. of Toronto, and served an apprenticeship in the office of Samuel G. Curry (in 1905-07), and then worked in the offices of John M. Lyle (in 1907-09), and with Darling & Pearson (1909-11). In 1911 he joined his brother as assistant in the office of Chapman & McGiffin, and spent five years as draftsman in that office from 1911 to 1917. He then became a member of the Ontario Assoc. of Architects in October 1919. In 1917 C.V. McGiffin joined the Toronto firm of Shepard & Calvin, Architects and became their chief assistant, remaining there for the next 15 years, but after 1932 he took a position with Ferguson Contracting Ltd. of Toronto. He later joined the architectural department of the provincial Dept. of Public Works in Toronto, and was still with them when he retired in 1957. McGiffin died in Toronto on 21 June 1957 (inf. Ontario Association of Architects)