Event Date : Sunday, February 26, 1984
Event Type : Death

Description : A well-known Bradford resident died this past Sunday after suffering a heart attack following a lengthy illness.Eighty-one-year-old Thomas Gardner had been a resident of Bradford since 1918 and was chosen as the town's Citizen of the Year in 1976. Mr. Gardner was born in Newmarket and moved to Bradford with his family at the age of 16. He and his father, Herbert, opened Gardner's Hardware Store on Holland St. and supplied the needs of local residents. When his father died in 1950, Thomas continued the family business. He soon married longtime Bradford resident Rita Cook and had two sons of his own, Donald and John. Don worked with his father at the hardware store until 1962. The store was sold in 1973. Mr. Gardner sat on the Bradford Board of Education for 40 years and was chairman of the board at the time Bradford Public School was built. Other accomplishments included being a member of Bradford town council, elder and active member of the Bradford United Church and superintendent of the Church's Sunday School program for 25 years. He was also president of the Red Cross at the time of Hurricane Hazel. For 30 years, Mr. Gardner was a dedicated member of the Bradford Lions. He leaves behind his wife Rita, sons Don of Simcoe and John of Willowdale, and grandchildren Jim, Dave, Jane and Peter. Funeral service will be held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m., at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the Newmarket Cemetery.

Event Date : Thursday, March 19, 1953
Event Type : Death

Description : A most highly esteemed and well known resident of the Bond Head district for a period of about sixty years, Charles William Watt passed away at his home, 1580 Bathurst St., Toronto, on Thursday, March 19. Mr. Watt had been in failing health for some time but had been up and around his home until two weeks before his death. Born at Beeton 82 years ago, the late Mr. Watt received his education in Beeton schools and resided there until twenty years of age when he came to Bond Head. In 1907 he married Kathleen Smith of that village and Mr. and Mrs. Watt lived and farmed in Tecumseth near Bond Head, until 1941 when they retired at Bond Head. A little over a year ago Mr. and Mrs. Watt joined their daughter, Miss Jane Fair (Fairy) in Toronto and with her took up residence in that city. Mr. Watt was always active in church and Sunday School work. In 1902 he was made an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Bond Head and continued in this office in the United Church, thus he was a church elder for fifty years. He was superintendent or a teacher in the Sunday School for over 60 years. He also served as secretary-treasurer of Bond Head Cemetery Board for a number of years. Possessing a kindly and friendly disposition, Mr. Watt had a wide circle of friends and though never aspiring to municipal office he took an active and helpful interest in affairs of the community. Mr. Watt is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, namely, Miss Jane Fair (Fairy) of Toronto; William of Bond Head; Anne (Mrs. Jack Hughes) of Churchill; and James of Hamilton.The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon from the home of his son, William, at Bond Head. The services were conducted by the present minister of the church assisted by a former minister, Rev. F. W. Newell, and Rev. W. J. Burton, now of Hillsdale. Interment was in Bond Head Cemetery.The pallbearers were W. E. Brooks, Gordon Brethet, Les. Holmes, Chas. Cerswell, Duncan McArthur and John Lloyd. The flower bearers were Elwell McKay, Jas. Smith, Percy Reynolds, Cardy McLean, Alf. McLean, Kenneth Holmes, Adrian Bateman, Roy Bell. Among those from a distance attending the funeral on Sunday were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tomlin (sister of Mrs. Watt), Mrs. Chas. Davis, Mr. Allan Davis, Mr. Jack Davis, Mrs. Austin Faulkner, and two representatives of the Jenny Lind Candy Company, Messrs. Wm. Taylor, Larry Reid, and Jas. Bushey, of Hamilton.