Event Date : Tuesday, May 24, 1955
Event Type : Death

Description : The finding of a coat, hat and tie on the bank of the canal, west of the bridge, last Thursday by three fishermen started a police search which disclosed a receipted bill from Barrie Hydro to William Semenuk in the pocket of the coat. Almost certain that Mr. Semenuk must have inadvertently drowned, Chief Constable Earl Copson and Constable George Burbidge of Bradford began dragging operations and located Mr. Semenuk's body quite near to the place his clothing had been left. The clothing was rain soaked, indicating that it had been on the bank during the heavy rains of Tuesday night. Mr. Semenuk returned to Bradford from Barrie about a year ago and had been making his home here, but during the last two or three weeks had been in Barrie. On Tuesday evening he came here, presumably to visit his brother. His whereabouts after that is not definitely known but the removal of his hat, coat and tie indicate that he slipped and fell into the canal while washing. Mr. Semenuk was widely known in this district. There were few trades to which he could not give the hand of an expert. After the installation of a water service in Bradford, between twenty-five and thirty years ago, Wm. Semenuk did a great deal of plumbing in the homes here. He was rated as a near genius in making electrical repairs, especially in radio work. Until about a year ago he was trouble man at the General Electric in Barrie and a testimonial letter given to him by that company upon his retirement was one of his proud possessions. Recently he had been working on TV work. Mr. Semenuk was born in the province of Northern Butowina, now a part of the Ukraine, and came to Canada in 1908, living at Lachine, Quebec, for the first six years before coming to Toronto. He came to Bradford in 1921, and, though moving away from here a number of years ago, he had always kept in touch with his friends here. His first wife died about ten years ago. He is survived by his second wife, whom he married in Barrie; two daughters, Miss Elizabeth, now in Owen Sound, and Mary (Mrs. Bruce) in Toronto; one son, William, in Toronto; and his brother, Gregory, in Bradford. He was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church. The funeral services were held on Saturday from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home. Services were in charge of Rev. W. Johnson, rector of Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pallbearers were old friends, namely, John Grakul, Wm. Decyk, Nick Werklack, Steve Kawchak, George Sadowchuk and Jas. Pelowich.

Contains articles on the accidental deaths within the Bradford and West Gwillimbury area

Event Date : Saturday, August 25, 1962
Event Type : Death

Description : About 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, August 25, little Peter Langford, nine years old last month, was struck by a car while he was walking several feet off the paved section of Highway 88, when returning from the home of his grandparents to his own home, two farms distant, and was instantly killed. Peter was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Langford, R.R 1, Bradford. The tragedy occurred in front of the Smelser farm, now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. James McClocklin, and the only farm between the Langford farms, and opposite the home of Mr. Milton Ritchie. These neighbours rushed to the scene, but nothing could be done for little Peter. A few minutes later, Mrs. Langford, driving into town, came on the accident. The Provincial Police were busy investigating. Horrified, she recognized her little boy. Somehow she managed to turn her car and take the pitiful news home to her husband and the older brother.Keith and Ella Langford had three sons, William (Billie), who is 10; Peter was 9 in July, and Donnie is 4. Peter was the ever-on-the-go, little farmer of the family. He went to school happily and liked his teachers and his playmates, but he was the first up in the morning lest he would miss any possible farm activities around the barn before going to school, and farm stock and machinery were his delight. He had a bicycle but was not permitted to ride it on the highway because of the danger. Saturday afternoon he had his own little errand to his grandparents' home and was returning evidently walking where he should have been safe, when he was killed.Peter had sweet little ways and everyone loved him. At home he was the constant companion of his father, having almost adult intelligence and knowledge regarding farm work and business.According to the police the driver of the car which struck and killed little Peter Langford was Nick Pocius,
Lot 4,
Concession 2, West Gwillimbury Township, R.R. 2, Tottenham. He was arrested at the scene of the accident and charged with criminal negligence, dangerous driving, drunk driving, careless driving and having liquor in a place other than his residence.The accident was investigated by O.P.P. John C. Perkins assisted by O.P.P. A. J. Mason of the Bradford O.P.P. Detachment.The funeral was held yesterday afternoon in Bradford United Church and interment was in Bond Head Cemetery. Rev. F. G. MacTavish conducted the funeral services.The pallbearers were five uncles of little Peter, Stewart Langford, George Hawley, Alvin Hawley, Ira Hawley, Lloyd Hawley, and Ian Porter.The flower bearers were school classmates of Peter.The fact that the attendance at the funeral of this little child was one of the largest seen in Bradford in many years indicated how deeply the entire community was touched by the tragedy.

Event Date : Tuesday, January 24, 1933
Event Type : Death

Description : Died tragically at the age of 36. Fell through the ice of the Holland River and drowned while trying to help others.Is buried in the Mount Pleasant cemetery.

Event Date : Monday, August 05, 1963
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Jackson's Point, Ont.

Description : Susan Van Rooyen, 15, of Bradford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Van Rooyen, Frederick Street, was drowned early Monday morning in Lake Simcoe, near the Black River, while in for a swim before breakfast with her brother, John, and a friend, Beverley Williamson, also of Bradford and about the same age. According to report, the young people were not in deep water but Susan was swept off her feet by a wave. Coroner Dr. C. S. Noble of Sutton, who has seen the same area claim three lives in as many years, said the beach area at the mouth of the Black River in Mossington's Park should be posted as dangerous. John Van Rooyen said his sister, wading in shoulder-deep water, suddenly started slipping into deeper water, screaming that something was dragging her. When he went to help her she grabbed him by the throat, and he barely managed to avoid being pulled under with her. Police believe Susan, a fair swimmer, may have been pulled off her feet by the river's undertow. Her body was found about an hour later.

Event date: August 23, 1987
Event type: Death

Teen killed on Saturday. A Bradford teenager was killed in an accident early Saturday (Aug. 23) morning. Kelly Jo Moscrop, 17, was struck by a car at about 1 a.m. Ontario Provincial Police report he was running through traffic on the eastbound Highway 401 ramp, onto Highway 400 when he was hit.

Event Date : Tuesday, May 16, 1950
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Minton, Saskatchewan

Description : Suddenly at Minton, Saskatchewan, as the result of an accident. Had been driving a tractor when it hit a stone, throwing her off and crushing her beneath the wheels. She died instantly. Wife of Adney Howard for a little over a year. The couple had recently been to visit her brothers and were only home a few weeks before the accident occurred. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Reilly of West Gwillimbury. Sister of Mrs. Fildey, Mrs. Albert Wood, Mitchell, Alex, and Clarence. Funeral from the home of her brothers to St. Paul's Church, Coulson's Hill. Service conducted by Rev. H.G. Blake. Interment in St. Paul's Cemetery.

Event Date : Saturday, October 17, 1953
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Toronto, Ont.

Description : One of the oldest practicing dentists in Ontario, being a 1900 graduate from the College of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Dr. Charles W. Ellis was instantly killed as he crossed the street to his son-in-law's car on the Queen Elizabeth Way at Haig Blvd. early Saturday evening. Larry Rutherford, his son-in-law of Applewood Rd., was waiting for him on the shoulder of the west-bound lane to take him home in his car. Dr. Ellis alighted from a bus and was crossing the west-bound lane when he was hit by a car driven by Edward Dinsmore of Toronto. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a Port Credit coroner.
Born in Bradford, Dr. Ellis received his High School education in Barrie. Graduated from the University of Toronto in 1900 he practiced in Beeton for a short time before he married the former Adelia Maude Rose, Syracuse, New York, who predeceased him 29 years ago, and began practice here where he has been for over 50 years. He was a life member of Bradford Lodge, A.F. & A.M., where he was Past Master. He was feted by the lodge recently on the occasion of his 50th year of membership. He was also a life member of the Ontario Dental Association. He was a member of Bradford United Church where he had taught Sunday School and was a former steward in the church and served for many years as church treasurer. He has also been a member of Bradford Lions Club for some years. During his younger days, Dr. Ellis was an athlete and won many medals as a bicycle racer and tennis player.He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rutherford, Lakeview, and Mrs. R. G. Freyermuth, Iowa, and two grandchildren, Janet and Charles Freyermuth. He was predeceased by two brothers, Aubrey and Bert, and his only sister, Mrs. W. A. Pringle (Mabel). Dr. Ellis had given valued service to this municipality having served on the Board of Education and the Board of Health for a number of years. Through his long years of practice Dr. Ellis was one of the best known residents of the area. Possessing very definite opinions and the strictest code of honour and honesty of purpose himself, he expected the same high standards from those with whom he did business. His friends, especially in later years, were largely those who had been his patients over a long term of years, and a few of the older residents, and his tragic death was learned with sorrow by them all. A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon from his home, under Masonic auspices, with services being conducted by Rev. F. G. MacTavish. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.