Frank Sinatra’s Plane Landed In Nova Scotia Due To Engine Problems And He Was Welcomed With Arms Wide Open

Abbass Studios in Sydney, Cape Breton documented decades of Cape Breton history and events.

The Townsend Street photography studio was opened by John, George and Tony Abbass and was taken over in the 1980’s by John’s sons, Blaise and Johnny. Today, Cape Breton University’s Beaton Institute houses all of the studio’s commercial negatives.

The collection includes decades of Cape Breton people, places and moments that live on in history. One of those moments was when Frank Sinatra’s plane made an unscheduled landing in Sydney due to a mechanical problem.

“I am very familiar with the photo and story. All I heard is his plane had engine problems and my father got a call to go to the Airport to take his picture.” said Johnny Abbass of his father John’s trip to the airport. “He found Sinatra friendly and very willing to have his picture taken while posing with different people.”

Sinatra was welcomed with open arms by the people of Sydney. Although his stay was short, many got wind of his presence at the airport and came out to see him.

Abbass Studios originally opened its doors on July 18, 1946 in the family home on Townsend Street in Sydney. The studio offered photo finishing, portraits and commercial photography. By the 1960’s Abbass Studio served all of the Maritime Provinces and would build a photo finishing plant in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Today, Johnny Abbass Jr. runs Econo Colour, a photo studio at Scotia Square in Downtown Halifax.

The Townsend Street building was demolished in 2014. Blaise Abbass runs the studio from his home in Sydney.