Event Date : Wednesday, October 26, 1955
Event Type : Death

Description : A resident of Bradford for more than half a century, Richard Waller passed away in York County Hospital, Newmarket, on Wednesday, October 26. He was in his 83rd year and had been in failing health for some time. In August he underwent a major operation at Western Hospital, Toronto, and had been at home for the intervening weeks before taken to Newmarket hospital nine days before his death. Born near Midhurst, Mr. Waller came to Bradford as a young man and about fifty years ago he married Alice Martin of Bradford, who predeceased him ten years ago. He is survived by one son, Linwood Waller of Newmarket; one daughter, Mr. Mildred Gilman of Bradford; seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Another daughter, Mrs. Harry Bugler, predeceased him. The deceased worked as an engineer at the old Lukes' mill until it was burned, and later worked at the old factory building during terms of operation of most of its tenants, and his last employment was with the Bradford Public Utilities Commission, a number of years ago. He was an honest worker and an industrious man.The funeral was held from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home on Friday, October 29, with Rev. F. G. MacTavish of Bradford United Church taking the services. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Vearle Coutts, Sam Conn, Chas. Johnston, John Breeze, Len Saint and Keith Elliott.

This collection of pins, medals, and badges, once owned by Walter Reeves, comes to us in digital format from his descendant, Bill Marks. They were collected from Walter's career as Chief of Police for the Town of Bradford, his participation as a Lacrosse player in the 1909 championship, and his St. John's Ambulance badges.

The Ontario Provincial Police began to operate in the area in the 1930s as a motorcycle patrol, working in conjunction with the Chief of Police of the Town. Walter "Gunch" Reeves assisted the first constable posted to the area, I.R. Spencer, in many of these cases. The first OPP detachment office in West Gwillimbury opened on January 1, 1949, where they worked from the second floor of the township building under Corporal D. Adair.

Walter Arthur Reeves was born in England in 1886, and moved to Bradford when he was 13 years old. He was known as a lacrosse star as he was part of Bradford's 1909 O.A.L.A. Intermediate Lacrosse champion team (medal which is included in this collection). He married Sarah "Sadie" Saint in February 1909. He was a train inspector, and was appointed Town Constable in 1929, a position which he served until his death in 1946 from a heart attack.

Event Date : Wednesday, October 13, 1971
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at York County Hospital, Newmarket. Beloved husband of Evelyn Dickinson and dear father of Gwen (Mrs. K. Kilkenny) of Bradford, Con (Mrs. R. H. Devereun) of Toronto and Evelyn (Mrs. A. C. Lloyd) of Lindsay. Rested at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment St. Paul's, Coulson's Hill Cemetery.