The two-storey, brick house located at 108 Holland St. West was built by John Maurino on what was originally a 100-acre farm owned by John Skinner. Skinner lived on Church St. (at the southeast corner of John Street). There was a creek behind the original barn and a pond used for watering stock, etc. It was also used as a hockey and skating rink in the winter many years ago. The land was eventually sold to John Maurino. He added a two-storey shed and a new barn to the property at the time he built the house that is seen in this photo from 1995. Maurino and his wife (a sister of Cavallo, the local harness and shoemaker) farmed the land with their children Augustus, Aida, Frank, Lena and Laura. (1, 2)
George JacksonThe former Presbyterian Manse is located at 123 John St. West (on the northeast corner of John and Essa Streets). It was built around 1880 in the Eclectic Neoclassical style. Presbyterian ministers lived here in the 1920-1930’s. Rev. McLaren and his wife and daughter lived here in the 1930’s. Jim and Aida Catania later lived here for a number of years. They were followed by Bill Nesbitt and his family after World War II.
The two-storey, rectangular building has a symmetrical façade, a centre hall plan, and a wide entrance with sidelights and a transom. Large window openings with high floor to ceiling heights and the large, 6/6 sash windows (with painted, wood lug sills and shutters) are all Neoclassical features. The monumental pilasters with stepped-brick, stylized bases and capitals, and elaborate, wood soffit detail that accentuate the pilaster capital are Classic Revival features. A medium-pitched, hip roof with a wide overhang and the original veranda (demolished) which extended across the full width of the front façade are Regency Revival features. Dichromatic brickwork at the pilasters is a Gothic Revival feature. The house has solid-brick construction (Flemish bond pattern), a brick foundation, and metal roof cladding. According to the 2000 inventory, the metal awning, the metal screen door at the entrance, and the garage addition are unsympathetic with the original building. It also notes that the façade is unique and handsome. (1, 2, 3)
Event Date : Saturday, January 18, 1936
Event Type : Marriage
Description : Aida Theresa, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Maurino, Bradford, to James Vincent, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Catania, Newmarket, at the Church of Forty Martyrs, Bradford, Rev. Dr. Muckle performing the ceremony. The bride's two sisters, Miss Laura, and Miss Lena were bridesmaid and maid of honour. Brother of the groom, Mr. Leo Catania, was groomsman, and brother of the bride, Frank Maurino, was usher. Following a short honeymoon trip, the couple will reside in Toronto.
Bradford WitnessEvent Date : Tuesday, March 25, 1997
Event Type : Death
Description : Suddenly in his 78th year. Husband of the late Sarah Lotto. Father of Peter and his wife Judi, Donald, Joyce and her husband Ted Mendrek. Brother of Leo and his wife Wilma of Sebright, John and his wife Rose of Sharon, and predeceased by Mike, Jim, Jenny Mizzoni, and Mimi Giovanelli. Brother-in-law of Yvonne and Aida Catania. Papa of Jennifer and Sara Catania, Melissa and Nicholas Mendrek. Visitation at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford. Prayers at Holy Martyrs of Japan Church, Bradford. Interment in Holy Martyrs Cemetery. Donations to the York County Hospital Foundation, Newmarket, would be appreciated.
Toronto StarEvent Date : Wednesday, May 26, 1954
Event Type : Death
Description : Death came with startling suddenness last Wednesday morning to a well known Bradford resident, Mr. John Maurino. Mr. Maurino was very seriously ill last October and for a time it was feared that he would not recover from two thrombosis attacks. But he amazed his family and friends by apparently making an excellent return to health. He was warned by his doctors that he should not exert himself, but having led a very active life these instructions were given little heed as soon as he felt well again and last Wednesday morning he decided to cut some grass beside the house. He collapsed while at this task and was unconscious when Mrs. Maurino reached his side. He lived but a few minutes.Born in Turan, Italy, over 77 years ago, Mr. Maurino lived in his native land, and in France, until coming to the United States at the age of 27 where his first employment was as a chef at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. A year later he came to Toronto where he had the same employment at the King Edward Hotel. For a time he was a butcher in Toronto, then, deciding to be a farmer, he came to the farm on the fringe of the marsh 43 years ago, which he later sold to the late Mr. Peter Catania, and which is still the Catania home. When he left that farm in 1918 he bought the farm and home, the latter now the property of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Yeomans, from the late Mr. Skinner, and the family took up residence in Bradford. Three years later he sold this property to the late Mr. Earl James and built the present home on Holland
Street west.Mr. Maurino was married in Toronto 47 years ago in St. Patrick's Church to Mary Cavallo, who, with their family of three sons and three daughters, survives him, namely: August of Toronto; Mrs. James V. Catania (Aida), and Frank of Bradford; Mrs. Bolley (Laura) of Guelph; Mrs. C. Clark (Lena) of Sudbury; and Leo of Bradford. Two sisters, one in France, and one in South America also survive. Mr. Maurino was a devout member of Holy Martyrs' Church, Bradford.Very energetic and youthful looking, Mr. Maurino was supposed to be living as a retired farmer during the past ten years, but his energy did not permit him to rest and he usually was busily employed. He was cheerful and smiling and had many friends who mourned his sudden passing.The funeral was held from Holy Martyrs' Church on Saturday morning with services in charge of Rev. F. R. McGinn. Two of his grandchildren, Vincent Catania and Laurene Catania, the latter at the organ, as well as the church's Dutch choir, assisted with the Requiem Mass. Interment was in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bradford.The pallbearers were Messrs. F. Magani, Fred Doane, Leo Catania and Peter Siervogel, all of Bradford; A. Bidini of Toronto and Bruno Cavallo of Sudbury.
Event Date : Friday, May 28, 1954
Event Type : Death
Description : Died suddenly in his 78th year at his home in Bradford. Beloved husband of Mary Cavallo, and dear father of August, Toronto; Mrs. James Catania (Aida), Bradford; Frank of Bradford; Mrs. Bolley (Laura), Guelph; Mrs. Clark (Lena), Sudbury; and Leo of Bradford.The funeral was held from the Holy Martyrs' Church on Saturday morning to the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Bradford Witness"Here is another Bradford High School class photo submitted by Mrs. Jim Catania. This 1925 photo shows the second form class (now grade 10). Back row, left, Grace Kingsley, Ailien Nolan, (first name unknown) Edney, Julia Norfolk, Emily Macdonald, Adele Wilson, Edith Letts, Dorothy Faris, (first name unknown) Piercey, Aida Maurino, teacher, Miss (unidentified). Second row, Mr. E.J. Keenan, principal, Miss Gilkinson, Margaret Keenan, Betty Ryan, Eva Oldham, Rae Green, Margarite Macdonald, Marion Watson, Florence Clark, Irene Archibald, Miss Schell. Third row, Harold Coutts, Homer Hembest, Bill Millgate, Keith Armstrong, Wilbert Orr, Harvey Cascadden. Front row, Gerald Roberts, Bill Wilson, Joe Miller, Ossie Depew, Gordon Siem."
Bradford Witness