A West End Companion: The Art of Gene Ubriaco

‘The West End Companion: The Art of Gene Ubriaco’ – A Sault Love Story

In 2024, Sault Ste Marie community icon Frank Sarlo assembled his fine, nostalgic work ‘The West End: A Magical Place Created By Giants.’ Frank wrote about a time and place that has slowly slipped away, but his ability to capture what this remarkable City district meant – and will always mean – in the larger Sault social and cultural history is what makes ‘The West End’ special.

Frank wove a compelling ‘West End’ narrative by drawing upon his personal and professional experiences, media archives, detailed historical research, and many wonderful Sault citizen reminisces about this unique place, a cohesive, proud, and strongly multicultural enclave long before that term entered mainstream Canadian discourse. Tagona Press was proud to assist Frank with the ‘West End’ publication – and I was particularly struck by the seven Gene Ubriaco sketches Frank had selected for inclusion. After ‘The West End’ was published I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to publish Gene’s entire collection as a companion piece to Frank’s grand history?’ And here we are …

Eugene Ubriaco’s life exemplifies everything Frank Sarlo described about the post-WWII community in his ‘West End’ celebration: people with often humble beginnings, hard work, talent (in Gene’s case, future professional hockey success as a player, coach, and longtime executive (like fellow legendary West End contemporaries Lou Nanne, and the Esposito brothers (Phil and Tony), a long, joyous family life, and an unbreakable reputation for simply being a good person in all seasons.

As Gene pursued his National Hockey League ambitions, first plying his trade as an American Hockey League star, he would sometimes sketch old West End neighborhood scenes from memory. He continued creating after making the NHL and later entering the coaching ranks. “Something to pass the time on road trips,” “Hell, these are just my doodles!” … two of Gene’s modest dismissals of his own art.
Assembled now in their full ‘West End Collection’ form, Gene’s creative works provides a unique perspective on his own life and what Sault roots have meant for so many for so long.

We hope Gene’s collection does his life and the West End community history their well-deserved justice. A true companion to Frank Sarlo’s work, and a timeless Sault tribute to a City with many stories to tell …

Gene’s book can be ordered through the Tagona Press website (Gene Sarlo’s ‘The West End’ is also available – two works that look great together in anyone’s personal library!)

We are also making available prints of the Gene art published in his Companion. Please contact Bryan Davies ([email protected]) for these details.