- CA BWGPL LHC-Her-Rowe-OS10763
- Item
- 1984
Part of Local History Collection
An avid harness racer, the Honourable Earl Rowe will be remembered for his racing career as much as for his political one.
Bradford Witness
Part of Local History Collection
An avid harness racer, the Honourable Earl Rowe will be remembered for his racing career as much as for his political one.
Bradford Witness
Part of Local History Collection
Description : Earl Rowe Dies at 89
By Marianne Kazmer
Bradford Witness News Editor
NEWTON ROBINSON - They came to this small village, located just south of Cookstown, to pay their last respects to a political legend.
Gathered in the Newton Robinson United Church, with the rain falling softly outside, they listened as Rev. Henry Dahlin performed the service. It was the final tribute to a man whose political career spanned almost 65 years.
William Earl Rowe, former lieutenant-governor of Ontario and political veteran died last Thursday at his Newton Robinson home after suffering a hear attack. He was 89.
Born in Iowa, Mr. Rowe grew up in Simcoe County, where his political career began in 1919 when he became reeve of West Gwillimbury township. He spend 35 years as a Conservative legislator at both the provincial and federal levels before he was named lieutenant-governor in 1963. A former leader of the Ontario Conservative party, Mr. Rowe was also the youngest member in the R.B. Bennett cabinet, where he served as minister without portfolio.
In 1958, his daughter Jean Casselman Wadds was elected to parliament making the Rowes the first father-daughter team in Canada's history. She now serves as on the MacDonald Commission on the economy.
In addition to his long and distinguished political career, Mr. Rowe was also actively involved in harness racing throughout his life. Together with his son Bill, he founded both the Barrie and Windsor Raceway.
Among those attending the funeral service held Monday afternoon at Newton Robinson United Church were Lieutenant-Governor John Black Aird, Premier William Davis, NEw Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, Solicitor-General George Taylor, former lieutenant-governor Roland Michener, and York-Peel MP Sinclair Stevens.
Premier Davis described Mr. Rowe as "a great Canadian who will be remembered as a man who excelled as parliamentarian, Queen's representative in Ontario, as a breeder and racer of standard-bred horses, a farmer, and most importantly, in raising a fine family."
Mr. Rowe's wife, Treva, died five weeks ago after suffering a series of strokes. They are predecessed by a son, Lennox.
Mr. Rowe leaves a sister, Mary Lennox and a daughter, Jean Casselman Wadds. In addition, he leaves to mourn grandchildren Mrs. Jane Hutchins, Nancy Casselman of Toronto, Earl Rowe of Shanty Bay, Clare Casselman of Toronto, Scott Rowe of Cookstown, Cindy Rowe of London, Patti Rowe of Cookstown and great grandchildren Jennifer Hutchins, Katherine and Crystal Rowe.
Mr. Rowe was buried at Newton Robinson Cemetery.
Marianne Kazmer
Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe returns to Bradford
Part of Local History Collection
Newspaper article on the creation of the Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue
Bradford West Gwillimbury Times
Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe Returns to Bradford ... at last!
Part of Local History Collection
Newspaper editorial on the Lady Gwillim Simcoe statue prior to the unveiling ceremony
Bradford West Gwillimbury Times
Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue detail
Part of Local History Collection
Detail of Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue from the front
Peter Wilson
Part of Local History Collection
Commemorative statue of Elizabeth Gwillim, the woman whom the region of Bradford West Gwillimbury was named after. This statue was erected by the Gwillim Group, with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet, on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford.
Brenda Wainman Goulet
Elizabeth Gwillim Statue Plaque
Part of Local History Collection
This commemorative plaque stands beside the Elizabeth Simcoe Statue, erected by the Gwillim Group with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library
Elizabeth Gwillim Statue profile view
Part of Local History Collection
Profile view of the Elizabeth Gwilim Simcoe statue on John and Barrie Streets
Brenda Wainman Goulet
Elizabeth Gwillim Statue profile view
Part of Local History Collection
Side-view of the Elizabeth Gwillim statue which commemorates the woman whom the region of Bradford West Gwillimbury is named after. This statue was erected by the Gwillim Group, with help from sculptor Brenda Wainman Goulet, on the corner of John and Barrie Streets in Bradford. This side view shows the statues portrayal of the meeting of the Simcoes with the Objigway Chief, Great Sail who is pictured holding Francis Simcoe.
Brenda Wainman Goulet
Entertainment at the Unveiling of the Elizabeth Gwillim Statue
Part of Local History Collection
The entertainment at the official unveiling of the Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe Statue included harpist Diane Park Jones accompanied by the St. David's Women's Welsh Choir from Toronto. They are being conducted by Betty Cullingworth.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library