John H.R. Bird (b. Montréal, 1923; d. Montréal, 2008) attended elementary and secondary schools in Montréal. He graduated with a B. Arch. from McGill University's School of Architecture in 1949. During his studies and for a period afterwards Bird worked for the Montréal firm of Mayerovitch & Bernstein, from 1944 to1951.
In 1951 Bird began a private practice in Montréal. He created his most notable independent work between 1959-1969 in a number of religious buildings for Catholic parishes in Montréal and suburbs (in 1953 Bird converted to Catholicism). In 1969 the architect closed his office to work for various Montréal companies. From 1969-1974 Bird was the architect to the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, then he moved on to become chief architect for T. Pringle & Son Ltd. between 1974-1977. Bird joined Quésult Ltée., Montréal, as head of the architectural department for Algerian projects from 1977-1979, and then became an architectural consultant in the firm of Jacques Béïque Architecte from 1979-1982. He re-opened a private practice in 1983, and went into semi-retirement in 1994. (Biographical description from Canadian Centre for Architecture, John Bird fonds)

Herbert Stanley Birkett (1864-1942), C.B., V.D., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.C. (C.), F.A.C.S., received his M.D. from McGill University in 1886. He specialized in otology and laryngology and was associated in practice with Dr. Frank Buller. In 1893, he became Lecturer in Laryngology at McGill and in 1895 he was appointed as Chair in the subject. Birkett was instrumental in developing the departments of Otolaryngology at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and at McGill University. During World War I, Birkett helped organize and command the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill) in France, and became assistant director-general of the Canadian Army Medical Corps earning the rank of Brigadier-General in 1918. From 1914-1921, Birkett was Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at McGill and received an honourary degree of LL.D in 1921. Dr. and Mrs. Birkett had one daughter together, named Winifred L. Birkett.

As grandson of the founder of the Henry Birks and Son Ltd., Canada’s largest company of gold and silversmiths, Henry Gifford Birks was destined to play a role in the family business and in the Montreal business community. He entered the business in 1911, became general manager in 1933, then president in 1944. Besides sitting on the boards of many companies, he was president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Montreal Board of Trade. A graduate of McGill, he also served as a governor of the university. He was a member of Montreal City Council from 1940 to 1944.