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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 : Friday, June 21, 1963
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Newmarket, Ont.

Description : Mr. Frank Kilkenny appeared to make good progress during the first few days following the accident which necessitated the amputation of part of his leg, and hope was extended that he might recover, although it was realized that he was still in a state of shock. The accident occurred on Saturday and by Thursday a change was noted and on Friday he passed away. Mr. Kilkenny was born and educated in Bradford and he took over the business of his father. In 1938 he celebrated the centennial of the Kilkenny funeral and furniture business in Bradford and continued in that business until his retirement, when his son continued with the furniture part of the business. He was secretary-treasurer of Bradford Public School Board for many years; was a member and past master of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79 and he received a 50-year jewel from that Lodge recently in recognition of his long term of membership; a member of the Orange Order and the I.O.F., as well as a curler and lawn bowler. His church was the Presbyterian. Mr. Kilkenny was predeceased by his wife, the former Lila Neilly, in July, 1928. He is survived by one son, Keith, of Bradford, and one daughter, Mrs. J. M. Booth (Ruth) of Bradford; also five sisters, Mrs. Howard Carscadden (Bertha), Stayner; Mrs. D. E. McColl (Emily) and Mrs. T. H. Carter (Laura), Bradford; Mrs. George Atkinson (Helen), Mt. Albert, and Mrs. Lorne Arnold (Evelyn), Cookstown. Three sisters predeceased him, Mrs. Jewell (Clara), Mrs. Wm. Simpkin (Lulu) and Alma, who died in infancy. The private funeral was held on June 24 from the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, with Rev. F. G. MacTavish conducting the funeral services. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.The pallbearers were Ralph Jewell, Fred Wilson, John Arnold, Wray Carscadden, R. H. Devereux, Art Lloyd.

Event Date : Friday, December 20, 1963
Event Type : Death

Description : Rev. F. G. MacTavish passed away in York County Hospital, Newmarket, on December 20, 1963, following two days of illness. He was suddenly stricken late Tuesday evening while chatting in his home and immediately lost consciousness, remaining unconscious to the last. Mr. MacTavish was born at Ripley, Ontario, and attended public and high school in that village. At the age of 18 he enlisted for military service during the First Great War and served in Canada and Siberia. Returning after the war he entered Victoria College to study for the ministry. On April 28, 1921, at Creswell, Ontario, he married Mary Annetta MacDonald of Toronto. Upon graduation from Victoria College the first church appointments given Mr. MacTavish were to missions in north-eastern Ontario, first at Wilberforce and then at Apsley. His next churches were Hallowell Circuit, Prince Edward County, then Northport and Seymour Circuit, Campbellford. Omemee and Sunderland followed before he came to Bradford on June 28, 1944, bringing with him his wife and family, his daughter Jean, and two sons, Harold and Gerald. Mr. MacTavish's interest in and knowledge of, the people of this district, those associated with his church and those without church affiliation, had grown through the years and his kindly understanding of human frailties, made him a sympathetic friend to all in trouble, and only by accident did anyone learn of the many, many services he rendered, far beyond the call of his duty as minister to the United Churches in Bradford and Holland Landing. The sick, the poor, the aged, the neglected and even those who might be regarded as rather disreputable, if they needed a minister, could depend upon Mr. MacTavish to answer their need. He was a tireless worker for the church, attending to much of its business personally. He was the instigator of the movement which resulted in the complete renovation of the church building, of which he was so proud and which he watched over personally, checking carefully after all meetings. Mr. MacTavish was a minister whose ministry only began in the pulpit and the boundaries of whose church were only limited by the needs of people. Mr. MacTavish is survived by his wife; his daughter, Miss Jean and son Harold, both of Toronto; his son Gerald and his wife, Helen, of Bradford, and three grandchildren, Jean, Marilyn and Betty, of Bradford; also three brothers, Rev. Duncan MacTavish of London, Ont., Mr. James MacTavish of Lucknow, Ont., and Mr. Alex MacTavish of Ripley, Ont., and three sisters, Mrs. H.
Street (Elizabeth) of Kincardine, Mrs. A. H. Johnston (Jean) of Stratford and Mrs. H. Black (Margaret) of Kincardine. He was predeceased by a sister, Mrs. F. Barkwell (Agnes). Mr. MacTavish was a member of Golden Rule Masonic Lodge Number 126, Campbellford, Ont., and he was padre of Bradford Legion, Branch 521. He was secretary of The Simcoe Presbytery and The Toronto Conference Settlement Committee. The very largely attended funeral was held from Bradford United Church on December 23, and was in charge of ministers of Simcoe Presbytery, namely, Rev. A. S. McCuaig, Rev. A. Smith, Rev. R. E. Webster, and Rev. H. Blake, former rector here. Pallbearers were Dr. G. L. Blackwell, Mr. T. Gardner, Mr. C. T. S. Evans, Mr. Harold Tate, Mr. Alex Stephenson and Mr. C. Brittain. Interment was in Aurora Cemetery.