Contains documents and information on Vital Statistics in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Event Date : Saturday, July 08, 2006
Event Type : Death

Description : Died in Florida, of Eustis, Florida, at the age of 87. Born at Apeldoom, Netherlands, she moved to Eustis in 1974 from Ontario, Canada. She was a Homemaker and a member of the Rolling Hills Community Church, Zellwood, Florida. Predeceased by her husband: Peter Verkaik; and is survived by sons: George W. (Corrie) of Eustis, John (Joyce) of Eustis, Robert (Lynda) of Celebration, Peter (Betty) Verkaik Jr. of Jos, Nigeria, Edward (Marcia) of Grand Rapids, MI.; daughters Linda (Red) Abbott of New Hampton, NH., Deanna Noteboom of Grand Rapids, MI.; brother: Sierk (Hilda) Rupke of Barrie, Ontario; 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Visitation for friends was on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Services will be held at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home on Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis.

Event Date : Tuesday, January 22, 1980
Event Type : Death

Description : Marsh grower Harry Verkaik died last week at York County Hospital in Newmarket. He was 69. One of the most prominent growers in the Holland Marsh, Mr. Verkaik was a key figure in the founding of the Bradford Co-operative Storage. He served both as president and board member of the co-op for many years. Born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1910, he emigrated to Canada in 1926, settling first in the Chatham area. His first involvement with the marsh came about nine years later when he purchased 90 acres of land with his father, George Verkaik Sr., and brothers Jacob and Peter. After founding Hillside Gardens in 1964, Mr. Verkaik retired in 1965. Long active in various growers organizations, Mr. Verkaik also took part in the vast relief efforts after Hurricane Hazel in 1954. He was a devoted charter member of the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church, in which he served as an elder. Mr. Verkaik was also president of the newspaper "Calvinist Contact" for many years. A funeral service was held for Mr. Verkaik last Friday officiated by Rev. James Evenhouse. Rev. Evenhouse recited from Revelations 7 Verse 7: "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." He commended Mr. Verkaik's wife Jessie and sons Gerald and Jim for their devotion and encouragement during Mr. Verkaik's long illness. He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Bradford.Friends called at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Mr. Verkaik predeceased by his wife Anne Horlings leaves his wife Jessie, sons Gerald and Jim, and grandchildren Karen, Valerie, Jennifer, Trevor, Loretta, Bentley, and Kathleen."

Event Date : Tuesday, July 30, 1974
Event Type : Death

Description : At his residence on Tuesday, July 30, 1974. George in his 66th year, of R.R. 4, Bradford, beloved husband of Margaret Miedema, and dear father of Gary, Trudy, Carol, (Mrs. A. Weening) all of the Holland Marsh. Friends called at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Street., Bradford. Service was held at the Christian Reform Church, Springdale on Friday, August 2 at 3:00 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

Event Date : Tuesday, July 30, 1974
Event Type : In Memoriam

Description : In loving memory of a dear father George, who passed away July 30, 1974 - Lovingly remembered by the children, Gary Trudy and Nicole; Carol, Andrew and Trudy.

Event Date : Wednesday, November 28, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at his home, Springdale, in his 74th year. Beloved husband of Anna Luyt, and dear father of Jacob, George, Harry, Peter, Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Horlings); Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels); Anne (Mrs. Stanley Mol); Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Van Dyke), and Anthony. Resting at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford, until Saturday noon, thence to Springdale Christian Reformed Church for service at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Wednesday, November 28, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Though in failing health for the past several years, Mr. George C. Verkaik was only seriously ill for about ten days before his death, which occurred on Wednesday, November 28. Mr. Verkaik can surely be called the father of today's thriving village of Springdale. Twenty-two years ago, Mr. Verkaik purchased some ninety acres of land, almost all of which was on the Holland Marsh, from the late Mr. Matthew Brandon and proceeded to clear land and build a neat home on the West Gwillimbury side of the river. He brought his wife and family here from the Chatham district and as the sons of the family married and built homes of their own their little group of homes became known as the Verkaik settlement. Roads were a problem in those days and the Verkaik settlement, in relation to the rest of the then partially-settled marsh, was isolated. In those years of the 30's the only access to the Verkaik property was over the hills of the Brandon farm and across a too-long bridge suspended over the canal. But unlike most of the bigger land owners of that period Mr. Verkaik made a success of his venture, and under his guidance his family also succeeded, and together they laid the foundation for today's pretty and promising village. Mr. Verkaik was born in Haarlemmermeer, Holland, in 1883, coming to Canada and the Chatham area in 1926, where he farmed before coming to the Holland Marsh in 1934. When the sons of the family accepted responsibility for the big land acreage, Mr. Verkaik moved to Bradford where he built the pretty home now owned by Mr. N. Porter on Barrie Street, and where he and Mrs. Verkaik lived for several years. During this period he purchased the site and built the building known as the Verkaik block on Holland Street north. But Mr. and Mrs. Verkaik loved the marsh, they missed the convenient companionship of their family and friends there, and in 1950 they built a home in Springdale and returned to reside there close to seven of the nine members of their family. Surviving are his wife; five sons, namely, Jacob, George, Harry, Peter and Anthony, all of Springdale; and four daughters, Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Horlings) of Holland Marsh, Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels), Anne (Mrs. Stanley Mol), and Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Van Dyke), also of Springdale. A devout member of Springdale Christian Reformed Church, his funeral services were held from that church on Saturday afternoon, and were conducted by his minister, Rev. R. Wildschut, with a former minister, Rev. Vandermeer, now of Barrie, leading the graveside prayer. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Messrs. Anthony Van Dyke, Jack Israels, Frank Janse, Anthony De Winter, Jacob Mann, and Harry Horlings.

Event Date : Saturday, May 08, 1971
Event Type : Death

Description : At York County Hospital, Newmarket on Saturday, May 8th., 1971, Anne Horlings, beloved wife of Harry Verkaik and dear mother of Gerald and Jim, both of R.R. 4, Bradford. Also survived by six grandchildren. Friends called at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held from the Christian Reformed Church, Springdale on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Saturday, December 04, 1971
Event Type : Death

Description : The Park View Nursing Home, Stouffville on Saturday, December 4/71. Anna Luyt wife of the late, George Verkaik and dear mother of Jacob, George, Harry, all of Bradford, Peter of Eustis, Florida. Elizabeth (Mrs. William Horlings, Holland Marsh) Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels, Grand Rapids, Michigan) Anne (Mrs. Stan Mol, Charlottetown, P.E.I.) Agnes (Mrs. Art VanDyke) Anthony both of Bradford, sister of John and Alfred of Chatham and others in Holland. Also, survived by 35 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Rested at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. The Funeral service was held at the Springdale Christian Reformed Church on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.