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A Family Rooted in Timber and Transport
The story of Neva Contracting in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, is a testament to the enduring spirit of family-run operations in the Canadian forestry industry. The roots of this enterprise trace back to the pre-World War II era, when J.T. Jewula operated J.W. Jewula Transfer, a trucking business that laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational legacy. After the war, Swan Neva, Jewula’s son-in-law, transitioned from working as a faller in the woods to launching his own trucking venture. This marked the beginning of S. Neva Contracting, a name that would become synonymous with hard work and resilience in the Cowichan Valley.
Generations of Grit and Growth
Swan Neva’s entrepreneurial spirit was inherited by his descendants. His son, Gordy Neva, continued the tradition with Gordy Neva Trucking, while his grandsons, Gord and Braden Tuck, established Tuck Bros. Contracting. Each generation adapted to the evolving demands of the industry, expanding their services and modernizing their equipment while preserving the values of reliability and community commitment.
The Neva family’s operations were not limited to logging alone. They were deeply involved in hauling, road building, and site preparation—core components of British Columbia’s resource economy. Their presence in Lake Cowichan, a region historically shaped by timber, positioned them at the heart of one of Canada’s most vital forestry hubs.
Preserving History Through Photographs
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Neva legacy is the photographic documentation left behind by Swan Neva. His grandson, Braden Tuck, shared a collection of images dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, capturing moments of daily work, equipment in action, and the rugged beauty of the logging camps. These photos include scenes of steam donkeys, spar tree rigging, and early truck loading operations—visual records that offer a rare glimpse into the working lives of loggers during a transformative period in forestry.
Images dated as early as 1938 and 1940 show Swan Neva and his crew operating in the dense forests of Vancouver Island. One particularly evocative photo from March 3, 1948, shows a truck being loaded by hand, a stark contrast to today’s mechanized systems. Another image from 1941 captures the steep slopes of hill logging, a practice that demanded both physical endurance and technical skill.
The Changing Face of Forestry
The Neva family’s story also reflects broader changes in the forestry sector. Up until the 1980s, the industry was characterized by a patchwork of small operators, each with their own crews, equipment, and unique work culture. It was a time when logging camps were tight-knit communities, and every job had its share of characters and camaraderie.
Today, the industry has shifted toward consolidation, with fewer companies controlling larger tracts of land and operations. Mechanization has replaced many manual tasks, and the sense of independence that once defined the logging lifestyle has given way to corporate efficiency. Yet, the legacy of families like the Nevas endures, reminding us of the human stories behind the machines and timber.
Conclusion
Neva Contracting’s history is more than a business chronicle—it’s a narrative of perseverance, adaptation, and pride in craftsmanship. From the early days of J.T. Jewula’s transfer company to the modern operations of Tuck Bros. Contracting, the Neva family has left an indelible mark on the landscape and culture of Lake Cowichan. Their story, preserved in photographs and memories, stands as a tribute to the generations who built British Columbia’s forestry industry with their hands, hearts, and horsepower.
The story of Neva Contracting in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, is a testament to the enduring spirit of family-run operations in the Canadian forestry industry. The roots of this enterprise trace back to the pre-World War II era, when J.T. Jewula operated J.W. Jewula Transfer, a trucking business that laid the foundation for what would become a multi-generational legacy. After the war, Swan Neva, Jewula’s son-in-law, transitioned from working as a faller in the woods to launching his own trucking venture. This marked the beginning of S. Neva Contracting, a name that would become synonymous with hard work and resilience in the Cowichan Valley.
Generations of Grit and Growth
Swan Neva’s entrepreneurial spirit was inherited by his descendants. His son, Gordy Neva, continued the tradition with Gordy Neva Trucking, while his grandsons, Gord and Braden Tuck, established Tuck Bros. Contracting. Each generation adapted to the evolving demands of the industry, expanding their services and modernizing their equipment while preserving the values of reliability and community commitment.
The Neva family’s operations were not limited to logging alone. They were deeply involved in hauling, road building, and site preparation—core components of British Columbia’s resource economy. Their presence in Lake Cowichan, a region historically shaped by timber, positioned them at the heart of one of Canada’s most vital forestry hubs.
Preserving History Through Photographs
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Neva legacy is the photographic documentation left behind by Swan Neva. His grandson, Braden Tuck, shared a collection of images dating back to the 1930s and 1940s, capturing moments of daily work, equipment in action, and the rugged beauty of the logging camps. These photos include scenes of steam donkeys, spar tree rigging, and early truck loading operations—visual records that offer a rare glimpse into the working lives of loggers during a transformative period in forestry.
Images dated as early as 1938 and 1940 show Swan Neva and his crew operating in the dense forests of Vancouver Island. One particularly evocative photo from March 3, 1948, shows a truck being loaded by hand, a stark contrast to today’s mechanized systems. Another image from 1941 captures the steep slopes of hill logging, a practice that demanded both physical endurance and technical skill.
The Changing Face of Forestry
The Neva family’s story also reflects broader changes in the forestry sector. Up until the 1980s, the industry was characterized by a patchwork of small operators, each with their own crews, equipment, and unique work culture. It was a time when logging camps were tight-knit communities, and every job had its share of characters and camaraderie.
Today, the industry has shifted toward consolidation, with fewer companies controlling larger tracts of land and operations. Mechanization has replaced many manual tasks, and the sense of independence that once defined the logging lifestyle has given way to corporate efficiency. Yet, the legacy of families like the Nevas endures, reminding us of the human stories behind the machines and timber.
Conclusion
Neva Contracting’s history is more than a business chronicle—it’s a narrative of perseverance, adaptation, and pride in craftsmanship. From the early days of J.T. Jewula’s transfer company to the modern operations of Tuck Bros. Contracting, the Neva family has left an indelible mark on the landscape and culture of Lake Cowichan. Their story, preserved in photographs and memories, stands as a tribute to the generations who built British Columbia’s forestry industry with their hands, hearts, and horsepower.
