Event Date : Wednesday, July 08, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Former owner, publisher, and editor of The Bradford Witness, Ina McKenzie, died last Wednesday, July 8, after a lengthy illness. She was 89. Born Ina Galbraith in Paisley, Bruce County, Mrs. McKenzie learned to be independent at an early age after the death of her father at age 29. Her mother, a school teacher, struggled to raise her and younger sister Donalda. "I went into teaching as well because there was nothing else a girl at that time could do except become a nurse" Mrs. McKenzie remarked in an interview before her death. She taught for several years in the tough downtown Toronto core where her students included the famous Conacher brothers. "They were wonderful boys. Perhaps a bit mischievious though" she recalled laughing. After marrying her childhood sweetheart Stewart McKenzie (who died in 1975) she left teaching to move to Detroit with her husband."All that time - it was in the 1920s - Detroit was a boom town. Everyone was playing the stock market and making a great deal of money - on paper at any rate. Stewart got a job on a financial publication called Saturday Night."Mr. McKenzie had an extensive background in the newspaper business. His father had owned the Paisley Advocate.While in Detroit the stock market crashed and Mr. McKenzie because he was a Canadian citizen was in danger of losing his job."I told Stewart 'Let's look for a business now while you've still got a job' so we went on vacation and looked at what appeared to be a very prosperous newspaper in Trenton" Mrs. McKenzie remembered.However being a very astute business woman she noted that the paper printed a great deal of political material that would come to a halt if the government changed. They decided to look elsewhere.Bradford was their next stop."When we arrived in Bradford it was a beautiful day" she recalled. However the condition of The Bradford Witness was something else again."Stewart went in and told me 'The machinery is a disgrace'" she remembered but they loved the little town and decided to stay contributing greatly to its prosperity and growth over the years.In those first years of the Depression Bradford was little more than a main street the lower end shabby the western portion relatively prosperous she recalled. "Everything was booming when we arrived in Bradford." Mrs. McKenzie noted. "But shortly after many people were in dire poverty. If we would have collected what was on our books we could have retired however people gave what they could."During this time they relocated the paper's office from Holland St. to Barrie St. (where the European Bakery is currently located) remaining there until they retired in 1968 selling the paper to Gerry Barker.Before deteriorating eyesight hampered her activities Mrs. McKenzie was extremely active in various organizations in Bradford. During the Second World War she headed the Bradford chapter of the Canadian Red Cross. She was a charter member of the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE and a past president of the Bradford Women's Institute. She also taught Sunday School at the Bradford United Church. One of the driving forces behind fund-raising efforts for the Bradford Community Centre. Mrs. McKenzie also lent her considerable energies and intelligence to the Hurricane Hazel flood relief program and various other community projects. Ina McKenzie is survived by her sister Donalda Crosbie of Toronto nephew Robert W. Crosbie and good friend Ella Langford of Bradford. She was also great-aunt to Alexander George and Cynthia. Friends called at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home and a service conducted by Rev. G. McFarlane was held in the chapel on Friday July 10. She was buried next to her husband at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.Donations to the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE would be appreciated.

Event Date : Wednesday, July 08, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Former owner and publisher of The Bradford Witness died after a lengthy illness. Beloved wife of the late Stewart S. McKenzie, beloved sister of Donalda Crosbie, Toronto, dear aunt of Robert W. Crosbie, loving great-aunt of Alexander, George and Cynthia. Dear friend of Mrs. Ella Langford. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel Friday at 1 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.

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

Description : Bradford lost a dedicated citizen last week when Stewart Scott McKenzie died in York County Hospital, Newmarket. For many years, Mr. McKenzie and his wife Ina, were the editorial voice of Bradford when they operated the Bradford Witness Publishing Company for a period of 37 years. Stew was a popular member of the community, working not only as publisher of the flourishing little paper but serving on the village council, the arena board and in his church. His skills in the printing trade were well known throughout the district as the publishing company served many customers over a wide area. But Stewart McKenzie's real mark on life was his zest for living. A veteran of World War I, Stew returned suffering from impaired hearing and the shock of living man's inhumanity to man. While this experience had a profound effect on his life, Stew managed to present a sunny disposition and was well loved by the community. Stewart McKenzie was the kind of man who helped make this community strong and his country strong. He felt a strong sense of responsibility toward his fellow man. Above all he was a newspaperman and one who was dedicated to making our world a little better place in which to live.He will be sorely missed.

Event Date : Tuesday, February 25, 1986
Event Type : Death

Description : At Newmarket Nursing Home, Newmarket, Olive Miller. Sister of Joseph R. Miller of Downsview. Private family service was held at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford, on February 28. Interment in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.

Event Date : Wednesday, March 15, 1995
Event Type : Death

Description : After a lengthy illness at Peel Memorial Hospital. Husband of the late Eva (Wilson) Henbest. Father of Sandy and Bill. Grandfather to Jason. Predeceased by brother Charles Henbest. Memorial service at the Scott Funeral Home, Archdekin Chapel, Brampton. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to the V.O.N. or the War Amps would be appreciated.

Event Date : Tuesday, July 23, 1991
Event Type : Death

Description : In her 81st year, at York County Hospital, Newmarket. Wife of the late Bruce Naylor. Mother of John and wife Kay of Bradford, Mary and her husband Bill Argent of Alliston, Peter and wife Karen of Newmarket. Grandmother of Stephen, David, Carolyn, Bob, Janice, Julie and Jackie. Sister-in-law of Anna Rous of Toronto. Private family service was held at the Thompson Funeral Home, Aurora, followed by interment at Aurora Cemetery.

Event Date : February 16, 1893
Event Type : Death

Description : Relict of the late J.W. Barry (died October 30, 1891), to whom she had been married over 50 years. Came with her husband to Bradford in 1846, where they remained for the rest of their lives. Mother of seven children: Mr. Wilson B. Scott (of Bradford), Messrs. Robert and H.C. Barry (also of Bradford), Mr. Rich. Scott (of Jefferson, Ohio), J.W. Barry (of New York), Mrs. Murphy (of Innisfil), and Mrs. Park (of Newmarket). Age: 79 years, 11 months, 5 days. Interred at Middleton cemetery.

Event Date : Sunday, March 05, 1933
Event Type : Death

Description : After the shock of his daughter's death (Mrs. J. E. Harvey) he succumbed to illness and passed away at the age of 80. Interred in the St. John's cemetery, Coulson' Hill.