Showing 48 results

Event Date : Friday, August 24, 1900
Event Type : Death

Description : On Friday last one of the pioneer settlers in this vicinity passed peacefully away in the person of Mrs. John Armstrong, relict of the late John Armstrong. Deceased was born on the 22nd of March, 1810, near the town of Killashandra, County Caven, Ireland, and with her parents came to Canada in 1831. Her maiden name is Eliza Magee. On the 14th of February in the following year she married Mr. John Armstrong, and shortly after settled on the south half of lot 12, in the 6th con. of West Gwillimbury, on the farm now occupied by Mr. Samuel Faris. Some years later Mr. Armstrong purchased, and for 38 years resided on the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. Jonathan Kneeshaw. In the summer of 1882 Mr. Armstrong departed this life and shortly after his widow took up residence in this village, and for the past 17 years has continued to reside on John st. A coincidence worthy of remark is that Mrs. Armstrong died on the same day of the month - 24th of August - as that of her husband who predeceased her just 18 years. Deceased who endured the hardships incident to pioneer life, enjoyed good health during most of her long sojourn upon earth. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, and for many years was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. Deceased died full of years and happy in the assurance of a blessed hereafter. Infirmities of old age was the cause of her recent sickness while resulted finally in her death. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Mrs. Simon Armstrong, Toronto; Chas J. Armstrong, Bradford; John R. Armstrong, Ottawa; Mrs. Ingles, Wingham; Miss Martha Armstrong, Bradford; Mrs. B.L. Johnston, Toronto; and Mr. Allan Armstrong, West Gwillimbury. Miss Martha Armstrong resided with her mother and did the part of an affectionate daughter in making the declining years of her mother as happy and as cheerful as possible. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon to the Old Kirk burying grounds, the remains being laid beside those of her husband. In the unavoidable absence of Rev. Mr. Smith, who attended the deceased during her illness, Rev. Mr. Whaley, of St. Helen's, Ont., conducted a short service at the house and in the church at the graveyard, also improved the occasion by preaching a funeral sermon in the Scotch Settlement church, immediately following the burial service. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the family and all sorrowing friends in their sad bereavement.

Audrey Evans Dies After Brief Illness

Bradford lost a special lady last week. Audrey Evans, wife of former Bradford Mayor and Simcoe Centre MPP, D. Arthur Evans died early Wednesday morning, April 29, at York County Hospital in Newmarket after a sudden illness.

Mrs. Evans, 63, was taken ill while she and her husband vacationed with friends in Pheonix, Arizona on April 14.

Mr. Evans said she "miraculously" regained consciousness while in hospital in Pheonix to greet her children who had rushed to her bedside, then lapsed into a coma shortly afterward.

She was flown back to Canada the day prior to her death. He family was with her when she died.

NEAR ALLISTON

Born Audrey Myrtle Kerr, Mrs. Evans was the daughter of Selby Britton and Myrtle Kerr who owned a farm near Alliston.

Mr. Evans recalled meeting his wife at a dance while they were both teenagers. "We went together for five years and were married in 1939 in the Anglican Church in Rosemount," he said.

The couple celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary while they were in Pheonix.

After their marriage they settled in Bradford where Mr. Evans operated a business and was ready to embark on his long political career, culminating in his election as Bradford's first mayor and MPP in 1960.

POLITICAL LIFE

"There is absolutely no way I could have done it without her," he commented. "I couldn't have had a better wife for a political life."

A charming, friendly lady, Mrs. Evans proved as staunch a campaigner as her husband. "She really enjoyed it," he recalled.

As well as helping her husband through successive political campaigns, Mrs. Evans was also an active members of the IODE and Anglican Church Women, and taught Sunday school as Trinity Anglican in Bradford.

Before a serious operation about four years ago, Mr. Evans said, she also enjoyed curling and playing golf.

"She was very active with young people. Our children's friends were always made welcome in our home. She just loved young people." Mr. Evans said.

Mourners Friday overflowed the chapel of the Lathangue-Skwarchuk Funeral Home where a funeral service for Mrs. Evans was conducted by Rev. Garnett Whitfield of Trinity Anglican Church.

Rev. Whitfield himself recalled first meeting Mrs. Evans as she typically offered assistance while he and Mrs. Whitfield were moving into their home last year.

FAMILY

Audrey Evans leaves her husband Art, children John, Don, Robin, Cathy (Mrs. Luis Arruda), and grandchildren Martina, David, Tara, Reagan, Becky, Justin, and Tiffany. She also leaves a brother, Borden.

Interment took place at Coulson's Hill cemetery.

Pallbearers were Keith Noble, Jack Constable, Ron Whiteside, Tim Fuller, Art Turner, and Doug Stewart.

Flower bearers were Ken Tupling, Walt Edney, Lloyd Kneeshaw, Bus Culbert, Keith Stevens, Jim McClocklin, Charlie Evans, and Ross Hughes.

Event Date: August 10, 1935
Event Type: Death

Description: Suddenly, at Bradford on Saturday, August 10, 1935, Harold Leeds Blackwell, manager of the local branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

Event Date : Monday, December 01, 1902
Event Type : Death

Description : Age: 37th year. Brother of Miss Laura and J.S. Boddy.Died of a hemorrhage of the lungs. Interred at Mount Pleasant cemetery.

Event Date : Thursday, May 18, 1944
Event Type : Death

Description (pg1) : At his home Bradford, Ontario, on Thursday, May 18, 1944, Harry Bugler, beloved husband of Lillian Martin, in his 61st year. The funeral service was from his late residence on Sunday, May 11 at 2 o'clock p.m. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Sunday, August 18, 1935
Event Type : Death

Description : At Bradford, Ontario, on Sunday, August 18th, 1935, Dr. Lewis H. Campbell. Interment on Wednesday, August 21st, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Dr. Benjamin S. Cerswell, a native of Bond Head, dies in Yakima, Washington.

Event Date : Tuesday, January 21, 1941
Event Type : Death
Community : Newton Robinson

Description : Passed away in Beeton after being in failing health for some time. The wife of John Coburn, she spent her entire life in Newton Robinson or surrounding area. Interred in Wilson's Hill cemetery. The Rev. Blevin Atkinson conducted the service.

Event Date : Saturday, July 27, 1957
Event Type : Death

Description : The end came suddenly for Bradford's veteran, and well-known townsman, Benjamin Briton (B. B.) Collings, last Saturday morning. During the past year Mr. Collings had shown some signs of his advanced years, but the firm step, the indifference to weather conditions, and the ready reply to all greetings, remained with him to the last. He had not been well for a week or more, but on Thursday he was downstairs in his home and returned to his room unaided. Friday he acknowledged he was tired and stayed in bed and on Saturday morning he was dead. He never had pain. He kept going to the last, and just quit. B. B. Collings was looking forward to the Centennial celebration and meeting old friends, and to many who are returning, Bradford has lost one of the interests for them, in his passing. Few will disagree that he was the most colourful character in Bradford. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. He had a greeting for everyone, a greeting which seldom was particularly complimentary, but because it was B. B. Collings' remark, it was accepted with a laugh. Few days passed that those whose duties caused them to be about the street, did not have a few words with B. B.
"Mr. Collings was born in Bradford on August 9, 1876 the youngest member of a family of sixteen. From childhood days he was working. He told stories of the days when Amsterdam was a thriving village with its mills and he was an errand boy down there. The Collings family was associated with the Holland Marsh and did a profitable business in cutting marsh hay and selling this hay for packing and mattress making. B. B. decided that if this hay was worth Toronto mattress makers transporting it to Toronto he better get into the business. In the 1890's he went to Toronto and learned the trade and came back to Bradford and opened a little mattress making factory here where he employed some of the lacrosse players of the day. Today it is common practice for sport enthusiasts to give employment to star players but B. B. Collings began that nearly 60 years ago. He then went into the furniture and undertaking business taking a course in embalming. Then back to the marsh hay business and commercial fishing and his final business venture was the draining of what was named the Colbar Marsh area a big portion of which is now Federal Farms' gardens and in this he was singularly successful. This last project was accomplished after he was in his seventies.Mr. Collings and his men were recognized in the Lake Simcoe district as an able life-saving crew. Their business as commercial fishermen took them to all parts of the lake and the river and they were familiar with the water. Few accidents or tragedies have occured on the river or lake to which Mr. Collings and his men were not called to lend their help and they have many rescues to their credit.Mr. Collings was always keenly interested in sport particularly lacrosse and had served in official capacity on various lacrosse clubs. But few sporting events occurred in Bradford throughout the years which he did not attend whether hockey ball or lacrosse.Mr. Collings served on the Bradford Public Utilities Commission for several years and also on Bradford Board of Education.In September 1902 Mr. Collings married Etta May Waldruff of Bradford who survives him with their family of two daughters and one son namely Bernice (Mrs. Gordon Crutcher) of Thornhill; Kathleen (Mrs. Ken Blevins) of Toronto and Norman E. of Bradford. Five grandchildren also survive: Gordon Stephen and Tony Crutcher Tom Collings and Mary Jane Collings. Of the family of sixteen only two survive Dan Collings of Bradford and Libby (Mrs. Selby) of Eston Saskatchewan.The funeral was held from Bradford United Church yesterday afternoon. The services were taken by Rev. F. G. MacTavish assisted by Rev. H. P. Maitland of the Presbyterian Church and Rev. H. G. Blake of Toronto. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pallbearers were C. T. S. Evans, A. L. Veale, Fred Collings, Roy Collings, Phil Latchman and James R. Webb."

Event Date : Monday, October 06, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Norman (Dodger) Collings, whose life spanned the fields of sports, farming and community involvement, died at the age of 65 Monday after a short illness in Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton. Mr. Collings was born in Bradford and educated at the local public and high school. After finishing high school, he began a professional hockey career. During that career, he played with a number of American minor league teams as well as the old New York Americans and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He also played on a West Toronto Memorial Cup championship team. Mr. Collings was renowned locally for his athletic ability and, as well as being an accomplished hockey player, he was active in lacrosse, curling and golf. Before joining the management of Hardee Farms and Federal Diversiplex in the mid-sixties, Mr. Collings worked as a market gardener on land he owned in the Holland Marsh. In 1965 he joined Hardee Farms and in 1970 was appointed vice-president and general manager of the Bradford plant's operations. Always enthusiastic, Mr. Collings also involved himself deeply in the community. He was a member and past president of the Bradford Lions Club and an Elder in the United Church. He served as the town's volunteer fire chief, succeeding his father who had held the post before him. For a number of years, Mr. Collings was a member of the Bradford Village Council and was a former member and chairman of the Bradford and District Community Centre Board. His works in the community brought Mr. Collings the respect and esteem of the community at large. While active in his community, Mr. Collings was an unassuming man. He was known to most people by the nickname Dodger, which he picked up during his sports career. Mr. Collings is survived by his wife for more than 40 years, Jean; his son, Tom, now a county engineer in Stratford; his daughter Mary Jane Buyers, now living in Melbourne, Australia, and seven grandsons. Mr. Collings is resting in the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford. Funeral services will be held at the Bradford United Church Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.