Event Date : Friday, October 17, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Vic Turner, veteran councillor and past reeve of West Gwillimbury, died at his home in Bradford on Friday, October 17, at age 85. Mr. Turner, whose son Art is now Reeve of Bradford, came to Canada in 1907 at the age of 16. He came alone, leaving behind his family in South Chinford, just outside London. Mr. Turner first came to Toronto, then moved up to Bradford where he worked on the Pulford family farm on the 12th Line of West Gwillimbury. Bobby Pulford, a son of the family, is now coach of the Los Angeles Rams. After taking jobs in Toronto and in the west of Canada, Mr. Turner moved back to West Gwillimbury and farmed there for many years. He married three times, his first wife being Esther Brown; his second marriage to Elizabeth Riley was in August 1921. During their long marriage, the Turners farmed locally, then moved to Bradford in 1949. The second Mrs. Turner died in 1962. In 1963, Mr. Turner married for a third time, to Irene Brown of West Gwillimbury. Mr. Turner is survived by five children: Mrs. Margaret Summerville of Guelph, Bruce Turner of Kemptville near Ottawa, Art Turner of Bradford, Doug Turner of Timmins and Mrs. Dorothy Hodgson of Thunder Bay; and by 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Mr. Turner first became involved in local politics when he became a councillor in West Gwillimbury around 1937. He stayed on council becoming reeve in 1946 and holding this position in 1947 and '48.Mr. Turner left active politics and worked for Holland River Gardens (now Hardee Farms) following this. He retired from work seven years ago. While working at Hardee, Mr. Turner was appointed to the Bradford Public Utilities Commission in 1951. Appointment to the commission was then a council decision and not an elected post. Mr. Turner's proudest achievement was opening up Simcoe Road to the marsh and pushing for a bridge to be built linking the marsh to the main Bradford area, thus making it possible for the marsh to be developed for commercial farming. While serving on the Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Turner was instrumental in the decision to buy the present PUC building on Barrie Street. Mr. Turner was also involved in the Bradford Masonic Lodge, but his main interest all his life was in the marsh and the people living and farming it. The funeral service was held at the chapel of the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford, followed by burial at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Monday, October 20.

Event Date : Thursday, June 19, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Stewart Scott McKenzie, a man who was a strong and active force in Bradford for more than 35 years as a politician and publisher of the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News, died last week in York County Hospital in Newmarket, last Thursday following a short illness. Mr. McKenzie was born in the Village of Paisley in Bruce County where he grew up and was educated. The former publisher of the Witness had a long tradition in newspapering and was one of four sons born to a former publisher of the Paisley Advocate. Mr. McKenzie served in the Canadian Army during World War I. When he returned after the war he resumed his newspaper career and joined the production department of the old Detroit Times. In 1931, he and his wife Ina, also a native of Paisley, moved to Bradford and purchased the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News from publisher O. M. Seim. That began a career in this town that stretched over 35 years until the couple retired in 1968 following the sale of the Witness to Gerry and Nona Barker. During that time Mr. McKenzie involved himself not only in the production and technical side of his business, while his wife handled the paper's editorial department, but also in his community. Mr. McKenzie became active in local politics and served as a school board trustee and member of Bradford's village council. In 1937, he was one of the charter members of the Bradford Lions Club and served as one of the organization's first presidents. He was also a member of Simcoe Lodge #73 of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. In addition, he served as an Elder in Bradford's United Church. Funeral services for the man who devoted so much of his life to his community were held on Saturday morning in the chapel of the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home on Simcoe Street, in Bradford.The service was conducted by Reverend Robert Chapman. Pallbearers were Norman Collings, Keith Langford, Bradford Mayor Joe Magani, Brock Evans, Charles Evans and Deputy Reeve Ken Wood. Brad Walker, George Jackson and Clarence Ritchie served as flower bearers. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. Mr. McKenzie is survived by his wife Ina, and three brothers.

Event Date : Thursday, April 24, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Fred Cook, a man who for many years was a social and political influence in Bradford, died last Thursday in York County Hospital at 73. Mr. Cook was admitted to the hospital April 6 suffering from a heart attack. Funeral services were held in Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford, on Monday afternoon with the Rector, Rev. Jack House and Bishop Hunt, a lifelong friend of Mr. Cook, conducting the service. Hundreds of friends and associates gathered in the little church on Church St. that Fred Cook served so well. Mayor Joe Magani led a delegation of members of council and the town administrative staff. Many officials representing the various surrounding municipalities also attended the special funeral service.Reeve William Gibbins of Innisfil and Simcoe County Warden Edgar Currie and Reeve Orville Hughes of West Gwillimbury attended along with municipal, church and fraternal officials. Pallbearers included George Allison, Bradford Fire Chief Ted Gapp, Chief Constable John Dudgeon, Building Inspector Bert Magloughlen, Deputy Reeve Ken Wood and Ruston Folliott. Interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.During his 73 years, Fred Cook's life revolved around the town of his birth, Bradford.He was actively engaged in municipal politics and for more than 10 years served as the town's deputy reeve and representative on county council. In last year's election he decided to step down from the deputy reeve's chair. However, Mr. Cook did not leave the political scene and was successful in his bid to gain a council seat.Outside politics Fred Cook immersed himself in a number of community and social organizations. He was a lay reader in the Anglican Church from 1934 until his death and was involved in Christian education serving as Sunday School Superintendent for more than 45 years. In 1962 he received a citation from the Canadian Council of Churches' education department for his outstanding work. He was also a member of the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Mr. Cook was a member of the Simcoe Lodge #79 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. At the time of his death he had achieved the 32nd Degree of the brotherhood. In his service to that organization, Mr. Cook served as district deputy grand master of the A.F. and A.M.'s district C". Mr. Cook also served at a grand master of the Orange Lodge for Ontario West and was a faithful member of Centennial Lodge LOL 209. Until 1957 Mr. Cook operated an insurance business in Bradford. Fred Cook is survived by his wife Leone, one sister Reta (Mrs. T. Gardner) of Bradford and one brother John of Windsor. Bradford Mayor Joe Magani commented on Mr. Cook's death saying: "It would take me hours to talk about Fred Cook. He will be very much missed on council. To me he was a real man and always a real gentleman on council. I served with him on council for 18 years and he was a great worker for the public and for the town. He did everything he could to satisfy the ratepayers at all times. He did a good job in finance. If ever I got stuck for words I could always turn to him for help."The mayor added: "He was a very beautiful man. It will take a long time to find another one like him."

Event Date : Wednesday, February 28, 1973
Event Type : Death

Description : A life-long resident of Bradford, Alexander W. Spence of 155 Barrie St. died in Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, on February 28. Mr. Spence, 72, owned and operated Spence Lumber on Bridge St. He served on the former Bradford School Board and on the Bradford Council for several years. He was active in the conservation association, served as a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the United Church. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 3 in the Lewis Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Chapman officiating. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Surviving are Mr. Spence's wife, the former Mary Brady; one daughter, Mrs. Keith (Betty) Noble of Bradford; one sister, Mrs. Minnie Hammel of Bradford; one brother, Emerson of Delhi and three grandchildren, Douglas, Ronald and Barbara.Three brothers and one sister, William, Norman, Arthur and Emily are predeceased.

Event Date : Sunday, January 30, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : A former Bradford businessman and long-time respected resident here, Mr. Archie Hammell, passed away at York County Hospital, Newmarket, on Sunday, January 30, 1966, after four months of declining health and a long period of hospitalization. Mr. Hammell was born in the Tottenham area, coming to Bradford as a young man, when his parents purchased the farm on the outskirts of town, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Metcalfe. He joined the staff of the store long operated by the late Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Douglas and when they retired he opened his own grocery business on the south side of Holland
Street. He retired from business a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hammell (the former Minnie Spence) were married in Bradford in September, 1916, and would have had their fiftieth wedding anniversary this year, had he been spared. Early in life Mr. Hammell joined the IOOF here, and in more recent years has been a member of that Lodge in Aurora. He was also a member of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79, Bradford, and services were conducted by these lodges on the evening before his funeral. Mr. Hammell was a member and elder in Bradford United Church. The funeral services were held last Wednesday afternoon from the Lewis Funeral Home in Bradford. Rev. D. J. Lute conducted the services and temporary entombment was in Sixth Line Cemetery Vault, with interment to be made later in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Mr. Hammell is survived by his wife and two brothers, Harry of Newmarket and Frank, who spends winters in Florida and summers at Victoria Harbour, Ontario. The pallbearers were Messrs. D. Arthur Evans, Robert L. Brown, C. T. S. Evans, Ivan Daniels (Aurora), Seward Lee and William Jelly.

Event Date : Friday, June 21, 1963
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Newmarket, Ont.

Description : Mr. Frank Kilkenny appeared to make good progress during the first few days following the accident which necessitated the amputation of part of his leg, and hope was extended that he might recover, although it was realized that he was still in a state of shock. The accident occurred on Saturday and by Thursday a change was noted and on Friday he passed away. Mr. Kilkenny was born and educated in Bradford and he took over the business of his father. In 1938 he celebrated the centennial of the Kilkenny funeral and furniture business in Bradford and continued in that business until his retirement, when his son continued with the furniture part of the business. He was secretary-treasurer of Bradford Public School Board for many years; was a member and past master of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79 and he received a 50-year jewel from that Lodge recently in recognition of his long term of membership; a member of the Orange Order and the I.O.F., as well as a curler and lawn bowler. His church was the Presbyterian. Mr. Kilkenny was predeceased by his wife, the former Lila Neilly, in July, 1928. He is survived by one son, Keith, of Bradford, and one daughter, Mrs. J. M. Booth (Ruth) of Bradford; also five sisters, Mrs. Howard Carscadden (Bertha), Stayner; Mrs. D. E. McColl (Emily) and Mrs. T. H. Carter (Laura), Bradford; Mrs. George Atkinson (Helen), Mt. Albert, and Mrs. Lorne Arnold (Evelyn), Cookstown. Three sisters predeceased him, Mrs. Jewell (Clara), Mrs. Wm. Simpkin (Lulu) and Alma, who died in infancy. The private funeral was held on June 24 from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, with Rev. F. G. MacTavish conducting the funeral services. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.The pallbearers were Ralph Jewell, Fred Wilson, John Arnold, Wray Carscadden, R. H. Devereux, Art Lloyd.

December 15, 1994
Death
SAWYER, Ebenezer (Eben) - (Member of Minerva Lodge #304 A.F. & A.M., former Deputy Reeve of Innisfil Township and Bradford High School Trustee.) Peacefully at Beacon Hill Lodge, Bradford on Thursday, December 15, 1994, Eben Sawyer of Stroud and formerly of Churchill in his 89th year. Beloved husband of Myrtle Cairns. Loving father of Donald and his dear friend Lynn of Churchill, Douglas and his wife Ruth of Toronto, Grace and her husband Ross Elliott of Bradford, Margaret and her husband David Ashworth of Sharon, Helen and her husband Marvin Myhre of Fonthil, Gary and his wife Sharon of Thornton, and Brian and his wife Sharon of West Hill. Dear brother of the Late Girvan Sawyer and his wife Ruth of Gilford. Dear grandfather of 16 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Friends called at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Street, Bradford. Service was held in the chapel on Sunday, December 18, 1994 at 2 p.m. A masonic service was held in the chapel on Sunday, December 18, 1994 at 2 p.m. A masonic service was held under the auspices of Minerva Lodge #304, Stroud on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Interment at St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.