Showing 274 results

Event Date : Saturday, January 08, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : The very sudden death of Mrs. Robert Leeson at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Alliston, on January 8, 1966, came as a shock to her family and to all of her neighbours and other friends because she appeared to be enjoying her usual good health until the time she was stricken and moved to hospital. Mrs. Leeson had written the news items for her home territory at Newton Robinson, as she had done for some thirty years for this newspaper, on the Monday morning in time for the mail pick-up, and her correspondence appeared in the Wednesday issue of this newspaper, as it had over the long period of years, and her funeral was over before the next week's issue.The former Ida A. Phillips was born at Bond Head and was the last surviving member of a prominent family of that area. She attended school at Bond Head and later at Bradford High School. On February 28, 1912, she married the late Robert Leeson and became a resident at Newton Robinson, where she spent the rest of her life. About twenty years ago Mr. and Mrs. Leeson gave up active farming, but remained on the farm, and after Mr. Leeson's death Mrs. Leeson continued to reside in her home, and it was in that farm home that she was stricken. She loved her home and was most happy to continue living there. Newton Robinson neighbourhood and church kept her life interesting, and of special interest in the Newton Robinson Church was the U.C.W., the ladies of which held a memorial service in memory of her since her sudden passing. Mrs. Leeson's first interest was her family and her daughters, Evelyn, (Mrs. Simpson) of Rosthern, Sask., and Helen (Mrs. A. A. Smith) 3269 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, visited their mother, and their late home, with affectionate regularity. Also surviving her are three grandchildren, John, Katherine and Patricia Simpson, of Rosthern, Sask. Mrs. Leeson rested at her home until the funeral on January 11, when services were conducted by Rev. H. W. Dahlin and Rev. F. W. Newell in Newton Robinson United Church. Interment was in Bond Head Cemetery.The pallbearers were neighbours, Messers. John Robinson, Earl Bell, Cecil Johnston, Harold West, Grenville Halbert and Vernon Connell.

Event Date : Sunday, November 15, 1936
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at his home in his 92nd year. He had been confined to his bed for about two weeks and appeared to suffer a stroke a week prior to his death. Born on the farm on the first corner south east of Bond Head, which his father received from the Crown. He resided there until about twenty years ago, when he sold to his brother-in-law, Mr. A. E. Watson, and retired to his home in the village. A school-mate and lifelong friend of Sir Wm. Mulock, an athlete in his younger days, and an enthusiastic huntsman.Born of an old Quaker family, he later became a member of the Methodist church in Bond Head and latterly United Church. Mr. Phillips married Henrietta Watson, member of another pioneer family of the district, predeceasing him eleven years ago. Of a family of four sons and four daughters, one son and three daughters survive, namely, Dr. Arthur Phillips, Toronto; Mrs. Wm. Doyle, Saskatoon, Sask., Mrs. Robert Leeson, Newton Robinson. He was predeceased by his sons Frank, Percy and Dr. George, and one daughter, Evelyn. The funeral was held Nov. 17th from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Leeson, to Bond Head cemetery. Rev. Kendall of Bond Head officiated, assisted by Rev. A. G. Channen of Bradford.Pallbearers were Messrs. Jas. Coburn, Leonard Jackson, Seward Lee, William Hambly, John Woods and Thos. Robinson.

Event Date : Saturday, January 08, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : Died suddenly at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Alliston, of Newton Robinson, in her 77th year. Beloved wife of the late Robert W. Leeson, dear mother of Evelyn (Mrs. R. M. Simpson) of Rosthern, Saskatchewan, and Helen (Mrs. A. Allan Smith) of Ottawa. Dear grandmother of John, Katherine and Patricia Simpson. Rested at her late residence, Newton Robinson, till 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 11, then to Newton Robinson United Church for service at 2 p.m. Interment Bond Head Cemetery.For over thirty year Mrs. Leeson has regularly written the news from her home district of Newton Robinson for The Witness and last week her copy arrived as usual. (page 1)

Event Date : Tuesday, October 20, 1964
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Bond Head, Ont.

Description : Mrs. Bertha Isobel Strong Faris passed away in Bondhaven Nursing Home, Bond Head, on Tuesday, October 20, 1964, after a period of declining health.Born in Bradford over ninety years ago, Mrs. Faris was actively associated with the church, social and business life here before her marriage to the late Mr. W. G. Faris in November, 1904. She took an active part in the work, and the choir, of the Methodist Church here and, after graduating from Bradford schools, assisted her widowed mother, Mr. Wm. Strong, in the management of the Strong Shoe Store, which was a long flourishing business in the village.Her marriage changed her home but a few miles, to lovely Maple Farm in the Scotch Settlement, where for almost sixty years she had been closely associated with the life of the community and with the Scotch Settlement Presbyterian Church and its work, especially the WMS of which she was a life member. In 1947 she left the farm, residing for periods in Brampton, Toronto, Queensville and Newmarket, but frequent short trips to Maple Farm, occupied by her son Murray and his family, kept her in contact with old friends and surroundings.Mrs. Faris met the great sorrows in her life with Christian faith and courage. She lost her husband and her second son, Lieut. Keith Faris, who was killed in action in Italy on May 24, 1944, within a period of less than a year. She was also predeceased by her brother, Norman B. Strong, two sisters, Mrs. Harvey Graham (Clara) and Mrs. R. H. Perley (Florence); and by a half-brother, Walter R. Strong, and two half-sisters, Mrs. J. R. Y. Broughton and Miss Myra Strong.Mrs. Faris is survived by two sons, Gordon of Ralphton, Ontario, and Murray of Maple Farm, Bradford, and their families, Mary Lou (Mrs. J. Church) with CUSO in Ghana, Africa; Paul of Toronto; Susan, Allan and Jean of the Scotch Settlement.The funeral was held from the Scotch Settlement Presbyterian Church on Thursday, October 22nd. Mr. F. Reed, minister for the Presbyterian Churches was in charge of the funeral services, and interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.The pallbearers were her grandson Paul Faris of Toronto; two nephews, Robert Sinclair of Barrie and Jack Graham of Toronto; two cousins, Neil Faris of Newmarket and George Faris of Cookstown, and a neighbour, Walter Lloyd of the Scotch Settlement.

Event Date : Wednesday, March 26, 1958
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Petrolia, Ont.

Description : A former resident of Bradford, Mr. A. C. W. Soper, died at his home in Petrolia on March 26 following a paralytic stroke. He was 86 years of age. Born in London, England, he came to Canada when 17 years of age, first making his home with a brother in Russell, Manitoba. In 1899, at the outbreak of the South African War, he enlisted at Winnipeg and served as a Lance Corporal in the Boer War. For many years he was a commercial traveller for Canada Packers Co., and other firms throughout Ontario. His first wife was the former Eva Edmanson of Bradford, and after his retirement, for a number of years, Mr. and Mrs. Soper resided in the old Edmanson home on John Street west in Bradford, until after Mrs. Edmanson's death. His second marriage was to Mrs. Isobel Hill of Bradford, and shortly after this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Soper moved to Shelburne. They had lived in Petrolia since last August. Mr. Soper was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Russell, Man., and joined the Royal Arch Chapter in England in 1906. He is survived by his widow, Isabell Soper, two daughters, Mrs. Howard Vallat (Doria) of Toronto, and Mrs. Wm. Mann (Caroline) of California; two step-daughters, Mrs. John Eakens, Sarnia, and Miss Rita Hill, with the U.N. staff in Egypt. Following a private funeral service at the residence in Petrolia, conducted by Rev. W. R. Parson, rector of Christ Anglican Church, funeral services were held at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home in Bradford, conducted by Rev. R. Woolley. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Tuesday, April 04, 1972
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at her home, Bradford. Beloved wife of Gordon Bantam. Dear mother of Colleen, loving daughter of Norbert and Gertrude Moriarty, sister of Bill of Bradford, Louis, Barrie, Irene, Bradford, Mary (Mrs. Charles Ham), King City, Constance (Mrs. Donald McLean), Elmvale, and Margaret (Mrs. Bill Patton), Gilford. Sister-in-law of Helen Bantam of Bradford. Rested at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Requiem high mass was held in the Church of the Holy Martyrs of Japan Saturday at 10 a.m. Interment McGann's Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Friday, August 29, 1947
Event Type : Death

Description : Widow of John Ingram and mother of Mrs Sarah Bantam and grandmother of Helen and Gordon died at Sutton Private Hospital, Sutton at 86. She had moved from Ireland to Bradford 67 years ago. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Thursday, December 17, 1959
Event Type : Death

Description : At Bradford. Wife of the late Frank Bantam. Mother of Helen and Gordon. Rested at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home. Service in Trinity Anglican Church. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Monday, November 28, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : After not enjoying good health for the past five years, Mrs. Ellen (Nellie) Collings of Bradford passed away at York County Hospital, Newmarket, on Monday, November 28, 1966, where she was admitted just one week previous. Born in Ottawa 73 years ago, she went to Kerrobert, Sask., as a young girl, where she resided until her marriage to Ernest R. Collings on June 10, 1914, when she moved to Bradford where she resided for the remainder of her life. Up to the time of failing health, Mrs. Collings was a member of Trinity Anglican Church and active in the church choir, quilting club, and a lifetime member of the Women's Auxiliary. She was also a life member of the Women's Institute, and a charter member of the I.O.D.E. and the Bradford Knitting Club. Predeceased by her husband in 1950, she is survived by four sons and three daughters: Mrs. Ellenor Peat of Newmarket, Mrs. Ross Griffith (Anita) of Bradford, Roy A. of Oshawa, Mrs. Gerald Rupke (Margery) of Kettleby, Irwin E., W. Bruce, and Keith R., all of Bradford, 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, Mrs. Emily Foster of Kerrobert, Sask., a sister, and two brothers, Arthur Sutton and Albert Sutton, both of British Columbia. The funeral was held on December 1, 1966, from the Lewis Funeral Home to Trinity Anglican Church. The service was conducted by her rector, Rev. W. H. Warnica. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pallbearers were Norman Collings of Bradford, Dr. Verdon Foster, V.S., of Fergus, Bob McCague of Sarnia, Jim Church, Orville Hand and Edward Bulpit, all of Bradford.

Event Date : Thursday, January 09, 1958
Event Type : Death

Description : The last member of one of the Scotch Settlement's most highly esteemed pioneer families, Miss Catherine (Kate) Faris, passed away at Bayview Convalescent Home, Langstaff, on January 9, 1958, in her 86th year. Because of advanced age, Miss Faris had been resident in the convalescent home for some time, but her health was remarkably good and she was up and about the home until a few days before her death, which resulted from a stroke. Miss Faris was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Faris of Maple Farm, that lovely Scotch Settlement farm owned later by her brother, the late William G. Faris, and now by her nephew, Murray Faris. She was born on that farm, attended No. 4 school and Bradford High School, and returned to the farm after school days to assist her mother. Later she retired to Bradford with her mother. A very kindly lady, interested in people, and especially young people, Miss Faris went to Toronto and became Y.W.C.A. secretary at Dundas House. She fulfilled her duties there most capably and was made superintendent at the Y.W.C.A. Pembroke House, a position she filled with ability and understanding for fifteen years. For about twenty years she lived retired in Toronto.Miss Faris was predeceased by four brothers, John, Peter, William G. and Edwin, and one sister, Mrs. John Sinclair (Jane). A sister-in-law, Mrs. W. G. Faris of Queensville, and nephews and nieces survive her. The funeral was held from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Bradford, on Saturday, January 11, with interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The services were in charge of Rev. Brailey, formerly of Glebe Road United Church, Toronto. The pallbearers were Jack Gibson, E. M. Faris, Robert Sinclair, Ken Wood, John Faris and Murray Faris.