Description:

78 Springhurst Avenue is a 2-storey plus basement house located on the north side of Springhurst Avenue approximately 20 meters east of Close Avenue in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. 78 Springhurst Avenue was constructed in 1927/1928. The architect and/or builder of 78 Springhurst Avenue is unknown at present. 


First Occupants - Eugene M. Blaise and Family: 

78 Springhurst Avenue was first home to Eugene M. Blaise (1878-1952) and his family. The Blaise family resided at 78 Springhurst Avenue from its construction in 1927/1928 until the death of Eugene M. Blaise in November 1952. 

Eugene M. Blaise was born in July 1878 in Brittany, France. 

The following biography of Eugene M. Blaise was provided in his November 1952 obituary in The Globe and Mail:


"Real estate broker in Toronto for more than 22 years, Eugene M. Blaise died yesterday at Sunnybrook Hospital. Born in Lanvollan, Brittany, [France], Mr. Blaise came to Canada with his wife in 1908 and entered the construction business in Toronto. He served with the 169th Regiment oversears in the First World War, was wounded out and transferred to the Engineers. Returning to Canada in 1919, Mr. Blaise added real estate to his construction and building ventures. In latter years, he was interested solely in real estate. Mr. Blaise was a member of St. Mark's Anglican Church. He leaves two sons, Charles and Wilfred, both of Toronto." 


Later Occupants and Uses:

Ashby House:

In 1976, Dr. Mira Ashby (1922-2005) — a physician who served with the Red Cross during World War II, spoke more than eight languages fluently, and was then working at Toronto General Hospital — established Ashby House at 78 Springhust Avenue. Ashby House was the first community-based brain injury rehabilitation program in North America and the first transitional living program for adults with acquired brain injury. As of 1976, Ashby House accomodated 6 residents (ages 17 to 35) and 2 live-in staff members. Ashby House subsequently served as a model for many programs globally. In 1984, Dr. Ashby received the Order of Canada for her work on brain injury rehabilitation.

Present Day:

As of early 2022, 78 Springhurst Avenue is owned by the University Health Network and leased to residential tenants.  Please note that University Health Network owns multiple houses on this block.

(Research by Adam Wynne)