Showing 9 results

Event Date : Tuesday, May 24, 1955
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Newmarket, Ont.

Description : The passing of Mrs. Isaac Coburn in Newmarket Hospital on Tuesday, May 24, came as a great shock to her family and friends. Nearly four weeks before her death she suffered a heart seizure but it was not regarded as very severe. A week later she was moved to the hospital where she appeared to be making satisfactory progress. On the morning of May 24 she had just been made ready to have her breakfast when she passed away. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Wilkinson of Bradford, Mrs. Coburn, whose maiden name was Grace Ethlyne Wilkinson, had resided here for all but a few years of her life. She attended Bradford schools and being exceptionally gifted in needlework she was a milliner and dressmaker before her marriage in Toronto on January 31, 1912, to Isaac Edgar Coburn. A few years later Mr. and Mrs. Coburn returned to Bradford where they established their home. Nearly eight years ago Mr. Coburn passed away and Mrs. Coburn remained in her home with her daughter, Miss Gwenyth. Mrs. Coburn was never idle, a quality to which her home and its surroundings gave evidence. In addition to being a homemaker she was an energetic worker in the Woman's Auxiliary of her church, Bradford Presbyterian, and in Bradford Women's Institute. Mrs. Coburn is survived by two daughters, Audrey (Mrs. Ken Keith) of Bracebridge and Miss Gwenyth at home, and one son Ross, of Dorset, Ontario. Three brothers also survive, namely Arthur, Earle and Chester Wilkinson of Toronto. A fourth brother, Fred Wilkinson, predeceased her. The funeral was held from her late residence on Thursday, May 26. The services were taken by the former minister of Bradford Presbyterian Church of which she was a member, Rev. Mr. McLarnon of Toronto. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs. Robt. McMaster, R. Magloughlen, Herb. Taylor, Harvey Curry, Lorne Fines and Percy Stephenson.

Event Date : Saturday, October 17, 1953
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Toronto, Ont.

Description : One of the oldest practicing dentists in Ontario, being a 1900 graduate from the College of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Dr. Charles W. Ellis was instantly killed as he crossed the street to his son-in-law's car on the Queen Elizabeth Way at Haig Blvd. early Saturday evening. Larry Rutherford, his son-in-law of Applewood Rd., was waiting for him on the shoulder of the west-bound lane to take him home in his car. Dr. Ellis alighted from a bus and was crossing the west-bound lane when he was hit by a car driven by Edward Dinsmore of Toronto. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a Port Credit coroner.
Born in Bradford, Dr. Ellis received his High School education in Barrie. Graduated from the University of Toronto in 1900 he practiced in Beeton for a short time before he married the former Adelia Maude Rose, Syracuse, New York, who predeceased him 29 years ago, and began practice here where he has been for over 50 years. He was a life member of Bradford Lodge, A.F. & A.M., where he was Past Master. He was feted by the lodge recently on the occasion of his 50th year of membership. He was also a life member of the Ontario Dental Association. He was a member of Bradford United Church where he had taught Sunday School and was a former steward in the church and served for many years as church treasurer. He has also been a member of Bradford Lions Club for some years. During his younger days, Dr. Ellis was an athlete and won many medals as a bicycle racer and tennis player.He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rutherford, Lakeview, and Mrs. R. G. Freyermuth, Iowa, and two grandchildren, Janet and Charles Freyermuth. He was predeceased by two brothers, Aubrey and Bert, and his only sister, Mrs. W. A. Pringle (Mabel). Dr. Ellis had given valued service to this municipality having served on the Board of Education and the Board of Health for a number of years. Through his long years of practice Dr. Ellis was one of the best known residents of the area. Possessing very definite opinions and the strictest code of honour and honesty of purpose himself, he expected the same high standards from those with whom he did business. His friends, especially in later years, were largely those who had been his patients over a long term of years, and a few of the older residents, and his tragic death was learned with sorrow by them all. A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon from his home, under Masonic auspices, with services being conducted by Rev. F. G. MacTavish. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Sunday, February 26, 1984
Event Type : Death

Description : A well-known Bradford resident died this past Sunday after suffering a heart attack following a lengthy illness.Eighty-one-year-old Thomas Gardner had been a resident of Bradford since 1918 and was chosen as the town's Citizen of the Year in 1976. Mr. Gardner was born in Newmarket and moved to Bradford with his family at the age of 16. He and his father, Herbert, opened Gardner's Hardware Store on Holland St. and supplied the needs of local residents. When his father died in 1950, Thomas continued the family business. He soon married longtime Bradford resident Rita Cook and had two sons of his own, Donald and John. Don worked with his father at the hardware store until 1962. The store was sold in 1973. Mr. Gardner sat on the Bradford Board of Education for 40 years and was chairman of the board at the time Bradford Public School was built. Other accomplishments included being a member of Bradford town council, elder and active member of the Bradford United Church and superintendent of the Church's Sunday School program for 25 years. He was also president of the Red Cross at the time of Hurricane Hazel. For 30 years, Mr. Gardner was a dedicated member of the Bradford Lions. He leaves behind his wife Rita, sons Don of Simcoe and John of Willowdale, and grandchildren Jim, Dave, Jane and Peter. Funeral service will be held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m., at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the Newmarket Cemetery.

Event date: November 12, 2003
Event type: Death

Description: Kneeshaw, Arthur Gordon (V.W. Bro. of Simcoe Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 79, Bradford, past president and member of Bradford Lions Club for over 50 years). Peacefully at Specialty Care Bradford Valley Nursing Home on Wednesday, November 12, 2003. Art Kneeshaw of Bradford in his 86th year. Beloved husband of Ruth (Wood). Dear father of Brian Kneeshaw and Faye (Doug) Paul. Dear grandfather of Neil, Megan, and Daniel Paul. Dear brother of Matt (Frances) Kneeshaw and late Everitt (Lillian) Kneeshaw. Dear brother-in-law of late Joe (Millie) Wood, Helen (Gord) Wells, Robert (late Roberta) Wood and late Doug Wood. Friends called at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Road, Bradford for visitation on Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Lions Service was held on Friday at 6:45p.m. Funeral service held at the Bradford United Church, 66 Barrie St., Bradford on Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 2:00p.m. Interment at St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. Donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated.

Event Date : Wednesday, June 27, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Mr. Ralph Matthews' very sudden death, as the result of a heart attack, shortly after arriving for his day's business at Holland River Gardens Co. Limited on Wednesday morning, June 27, has left a vacancy in his home, in his church, among the Holland Marsh people, and among his many friends in Bradford. His cheerful disposition and friendly smile had made him a friend to all who knew him. Mr. Matthews was born in Holland, and emigrated to this country thirty-one years ago. Before leaving Holland he became engaged to Elsie Horlings and the following year she came to Chatham, Ontario, where they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews established their home in Windsor and there their two daughters, Henrietta (Mrs. Sidney Van Dyke) of the Holland Marsh, and Jeanne (Mrs. Michael Havinga) of London, Ontario, were born. In August of 1946, when Bradford's first vegetable packing plant, Holland River Gardens Co. Limited, was opened, with his brother-in-law, George Horlings, then the vice-president and general manager, Ralph Matthews resigned his position as foreman in an industrial plant in Windsor to join the company here. His home was on the Holland Marsh. His church was the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church. His friendships were among the members of that congregation and few weddings from that church were complete without a reception following at which Ralph Matthews was master of ceremonies. But his friendships were not confined to his Canadian fellow countrymen. He was an enthusiastic bowler and was a member of the Bradford Men's Bowling Club, where at the annual closing social evenings he was always an asset as a leader. His friendships knew no barriers of race or creed. All good people who knew Ralph Matthews were pleased to call him friend. He is survived by his wife and his two daughters. Two sisters and two brothers reside in Holland and three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Matthews returned to their native land and visited their relatives there. Though his immediate family did not follow him to this country, his family relationships were numerous in this community by his marriage into one of the pioneer marshland families here. His funeral was from the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church with his minister, Rev. P. Lagerwey, conducting the services. Six nephews, namely, Wm. Winter, Gerald Verkaik, Harry Horlings, Richard Hyma, Louis Tamminga and George Hulsman were the pallbearers. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

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 : 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 : Friday, December 31, 1971
Event Type : Death

Description : James Denis Nolan of Kent St. E., Lindsay, passed away suddenly, following an illness of twelve years, at the Ross Memorial Hospital, Lindsay, on Dec. 31, 1971. He was 72 years of age. Born on Aug. 30, 1899, in Tecumseth Township, near Newton Robinson, he was the son of the late Denis Nolan and Catherine O'Donnell. Nolan was a pioneer name in Simcoe County. He had resided in this locality for 23 years, having previously resided at Bradford and received his education at Newton Robinson Public School; Cookstown Continuation School and was a graduate of Bradford High School. He enlisted during World War I, but did not see active service, either in Canada or overseas. He was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and before coming to Lindsay, he had attended Forty Martyrs Church, Bradford, and had attended Church of the Assumption, Bell Ewart, Ont., during the summer months. He had been associated with Walkwood Ltd., Lindsay, London Life Insurance Co., Bradford; Nolan Motor Sales, Bradford and DeHaviland Aircraft, Toronto. He took an interest in sports and had been a member of Lindsay Curling Club for many years. A member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, he was also a Charter Member of the Lions Club in Bradford. He is survived by his wife, Clare Beatrice Nolan, four sons, Denis Nolan of Dollard-des- Ormeaux, P.Q., James M. Nolan of Lindsay, Dr. Paul Nolan of Sudbury, Eugene Nolan of Uxbridge and 15 grandchildren. Other surviving relatives are two sisters, Constance Nolan, of Bradford, and Aileen (Mrs. Edmund Grise) of Midland. An aunt, Mrs. John Hanlon of Bradford, also survives. The funeral was held on Jan. 4, 1972, at 10 a.m. from Stoddart Funeral Home, Lindsay, with temporary entombment in Riverside Cemetery, Lindsay. Interment later in McGann's Cemetery, R.R. 2, Bradford. Rev. Father G. F. Sullivan conducted the service. The pallbearers were William Burke, Gordon Corley, Vern Hildenbrand, Guy Mills, Ralph Rodman and Adrian Vaillancourt.
(From the Lindsay Daily Post)

Event Date : Wednesday, December 19, 2001
Event Type : Death

Description : (Proprietor of Brad Walker Ford Mercury Sales Ltd., Newmarket 1951-1981; Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.), American Air Medal, Retired Squadron Leader in R.C.A.F. in WW II, Charter Member and Past President of Bradford Rotary Club). Peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket on Wednesday, December 19, 2001. Brad Walker of Bradford in his 85th year. Beloved husband of Jean (Wrigton). Dear father of Rick Walker and his wife Lynn of Bradford, Maureen (Muff) and her husband Roger Blinn of Fairfax, Virginia, David Walker of Pointe-Claire, Quebec. Dear grandfather of Johnny, Lori, Bradley, Michael, Sharilynn and Amanda. Dear great grandfather of Taylor and Emily. Predeceased by his brother Clarke and Murray. Friends called at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford for visitation. Funeral service will be held at the Bradford Trinity Anglican Church on Saturday, December 22, 2001 at 2 p.m. A private family interment at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of York Region would be appreciated.