Showing 3 results

Event Date : Saturday, September 06, 1958
Event Type : Death

Description : About eight weeks before his death, Mr. Isaac Cairns became ill and was taken to York County Hospital where he underwent an operation. He failed to make a good recovery, and for the several weeks following it was realized that he was failing. He passed away on Saturday, September 6. Although in his 85th year, Mr. Cairns enjoyed remarkably good health until his last illness. He was a familiar figure about town, and a regular spectator at athletic meets, rarely missing games of hockey, lacrosse or ball, and always being an enthusiastic fan for the home team. Born in Nottawasaga Township, near Creemore, he spent his younger years in that area. In 1920 he gave up farming for about a year to operate a grocery store in Collingwood, and when he decided to return to farming he purchased the West Gwillimbury farm where his son, Stanley, now resides and moved to that farm in 1921. Twenty-two years ago last June, with his late wife, he retired to Bradford when Stanley was married.On February 10, 1901, he married Mary Grace Fisher of Stayner. Mrs. Cairns predeceased her husband seventeen years ago last June. Their eldest son, Elmer, died twelve years ago. Surviving are one son, Stanley, on the West Gwillimbury farm; one daughter, Mrs. Eben Sawyer (Myrtle) of Churchill, and several grandchildren. A Presbyterian in religion, Mr. Cairns had been an elder of that church for thirty years. He was a member of the L.O.L. and for 67 years had never missed an Orange walk, this year being his first time absent from the annual celebration since his joining the lodge. In Nottawasaga Township he served as a school trustee for a long period of years. The funeral was held from Bradford Presbyterian Church on Tuesday afternoon, September 9, where the services were in charge of his minister, Mr. Williams, assisted by Rev. F. G. MacTavish of Bradford United Church. Interment was in St. John's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. The pallbearers were former neighbours and church friends, namely, Milton Ritchie, Wm. Langford, Seward Lee, Harold Scarrow, F. C. Cook and Kenneth Wood.

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 : Friday, April 22, 1966
Event Type : Death

Description : William Cyril Selby, whose pioneer ancestors in York County became early settlers in West Gwillimbury, died in York County Hospital on April 22, following a coronary. He was the last surviving member of his family to reside in this area. Born on the 9th Concession of West Gwillimbury, 76 years ago, Mr. Selby served throughout the years of the First World War with heavy artillery. Returning after the war, to the farm of his birth, he made his home there, and that farm his life interest, until 1960, when he purchased a home on Church Street and retired to Bradford. Of a quiet and kindly disposition, he was liked by his neighbours and other friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Anglican Church. The story of the Selby family is one which reminds us of the early history of this area, his great-grandmother having been Isabel Sutherland, a Selkirk settler, and another grandparent being a U.E. Loyalist. Mr. Selby was predeceased by two brothers, Mr. Ernest Selby and Percy, one time reeve of West Gwillimbury, and by a sister, Mrs. Roy Kneeshaw (Mary). Two sisters survive him, namely Mrs. Lena B. Selby of Asbury Park, N.Y., and Mrs. Thomas (Stella) of South Orange N.J. The funeral service was held in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Coulson's Hill, with the services being conducted by his rector, Rev. W. H. Warnica, and interment in St. Paul's Cemetery. The pallbearers were Dr. Selby Kneeshaw, Messrs. Carl Bowles, Keith Bowles, Victor Sloane, John Fennell and Sam Lee. Flower bearers were Messrs. Norman Bowles, J. L. Henderson, Waldy Crossland, Thos. Brown and Seward Lee.