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Bradford Witness Obituary
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Coburn, Martha (nee. Spillet) obituary

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.

Bradford Witness

Coburn, Mrs. Isaac E. (Grace Ethelyn Coburn) obituary

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.

Bradford Witness

Collings, Benjamin B. obituary

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

Description : Died suddenly at his home, Bradford, in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Etta Waldruff and dear father of Bernice (Mrs. Gordon Crutcher) of Thornhill; Kathleen (Mrs. Ken Blevins) of Toronto; Norman of Bradford. Rested at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford. Service in Bradford United Church on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Bradford Witness

Collings, Benjamin Briton obituary

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."

Bradford Witness

Collings, Mrs. Ernest A. (Ellen) obituary

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.

Bradford Witness

Collings, Norman (Dodger) obituary (long)

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.

Bradford Witness

Compton, W. F. obituary

Event Date : Wednesday, March 29, 1967
Event Type : Death

Description : Death came with startling suddenness last Wednesday evening to one of Bradford's prominent business men, when Mr. William Francis Compton died at his home here. Mr. Compton had been at his place of business, Compton's IGA Groceteria, that day and came home around 6 p.m. He told Mrs. Compton that he was going to have a bath before having his dinner. Later he was found dead in the bathroom by his wife. Death is attributed to a blood clot reaching his heart.
Born in Morell, P.E.I., 67 years ago, Mr. Compton spent his early years in that province, going to U.S.A. in 1922, where he joined the A & P Stores Ltd. He returned in May, 1928, when A & P opened stores in Canada, and continued with that firm until coming to Bradford in 1944, when he purchased the long-established Sutherland's Grocery, operating the business during the first few years as Compton's Groceteria. In 1951 he joined Oshawa Wholesale as a charter member of the IGA in Canada. He continued to operate the business in the old stand until last year, when the beautiful new Compton's IGA was opened on John Street West. He was justly very proud of this fine new store, which was really the realization of a long anticipated plan. A good business man, exceptionally well trained in the food marketing business, Mr. Compton succeeded in his private business and also found time to devote energy to his municipality. He had served both as councillor and reeve of Bradford, in the years before the municipality gained town status, and had also served as president of Bradford Lions Club. Mr. Compton was married at Laggan, Ontario, in September, 1928, to Normanda MacNeil, who survives him with their family of two daughters, Joan (Mrs. K. L. Pond), Ottawa; Norma (Mrs. R. D. Duffy), Toronto; Gordon William, Bradford; sisters and brother, Esther (Mrs. V. H. Dockendorf), Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Frances (Mrs. A. R. Graham), Mussoorile, India; Lydia (deceased); Robbins, Morell, P.E.I. and Elizabeth (Mrs. W. H. Reich), Port Washington, N.Y.; and five grandchildren, who were the delight of his life, Dianne and David Compton and Janet, Allison and Christine Pond.
The funeral was held on Saturday, April 1, from his church, Bradford United, with Rev. D. J. Lute conducting the services. Temporary entombment was in the vault, with interment to be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Keith Collings, Robert Hanna, Robert Veale Jr., Joseph Alebeck, Wallace Holmes and George Allan.The flower bearers were James Patton, Harold Newns, Charles Davidson, Ronald James and Lester Woolven.

Bradford Witness

Cook, Mrs. Sarah obituary

Event Date : Thursday, November 30, 1967
Event Type : Death

Description : Bradford's oldest resident, Mrs. Sarah Caroline Cook, died recently. She would have been 95 next month. Born Sarah Mills in West Gwillimbury in 1874, she married John Gibson Cook who operated a piano and music business in Bradford in partnership with John Gilheeney. She lived on Moore Street. Mrs. Cook leaves a sister, Reita; two sons, deputy-reeve Fred Cook and Jack F. Cook of Windsor; a daughter, Mrs. Tom Gardner; two grandsons, Don Gardner, a teacher at Simcoe District High School, and Jack Gardner, a lawyer in Toronto; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral service was held at the Lewis Funeral Chapel, conducted by Rev. W. H. Warnica. Pallbearers were Jack Gardner, Don Gardner, Gordon Bateman, Robert Brown, Ruston Folliott and Edward Gapp.

Bradford Witness

Copeland, Edward obituary

Event Date : Friday, September 21, 1951
Event Type : Death

Description : At St. Andrew's Hospital, Midland. Of Waubaushene. Husband of Grace Macpherson. Father of Donald, Harold, Fredda (Mrs. L. Jubb), William, Murray, Douglas, Leslie, Roy, Jannett, and Leo. Brother of Charles and William Copeland of Bradford and the late Mrs. Jno. Gibney (Sadie) and Geo. J. Copeland. Funeral held at the Bennett Funeral Home, Yonge St., Lansing, on September 24. Interment in York Memorial Cemetery.

Bradford Witness

Copeland, Freda MacPherson obituary

Event Date : Sunday, May 23, 1976
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at York County Hospital, Newmarket, in her 81st year. Of Bond Head, beloved wife of the late Charles Copeland, and dear mother of Betty (Mrs. Leonard Jeffery) of Alliston, loving grandmother of Earle and Claude. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment St. John's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.

Bradford Witness

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