Showing 18 results

Event Date : Friday, October 17, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Vic Turner, veteran councillor and past reeve of West Gwillimbury, died at his home in Bradford on Friday, October 17, at age 85. Mr. Turner, whose son Art is now Reeve of Bradford, came to Canada in 1907 at the age of 16. He came alone, leaving behind his family in South Chinford, just outside London. Mr. Turner first came to Toronto, then moved up to Bradford where he worked on the Pulford family farm on the 12th Line of West Gwillimbury. Bobby Pulford, a son of the family, is now coach of the Los Angeles Rams. After taking jobs in Toronto and in the west of Canada, Mr. Turner moved back to West Gwillimbury and farmed there for many years. He married three times, his first wife being Esther Brown; his second marriage to Elizabeth Riley was in August 1921. During their long marriage, the Turners farmed locally, then moved to Bradford in 1949. The second Mrs. Turner died in 1962. In 1963, Mr. Turner married for a third time, to Irene Brown of West Gwillimbury. Mr. Turner is survived by five children: Mrs. Margaret Summerville of Guelph, Bruce Turner of Kemptville near Ottawa, Art Turner of Bradford, Doug Turner of Timmins and Mrs. Dorothy Hodgson of Thunder Bay; and by 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Mr. Turner first became involved in local politics when he became a councillor in West Gwillimbury around 1937. He stayed on council becoming reeve in 1946 and holding this position in 1947 and '48.Mr. Turner left active politics and worked for Holland River Gardens (now Hardee Farms) following this. He retired from work seven years ago. While working at Hardee, Mr. Turner was appointed to the Bradford Public Utilities Commission in 1951. Appointment to the commission was then a council decision and not an elected post. Mr. Turner's proudest achievement was opening up Simcoe Road to the marsh and pushing for a bridge to be built linking the marsh to the main Bradford area, thus making it possible for the marsh to be developed for commercial farming. While serving on the Public Utilities Commission, Mr. Turner was instrumental in the decision to buy the present PUC building on Barrie Street. Mr. Turner was also involved in the Bradford Masonic Lodge, but his main interest all his life was in the marsh and the people living and farming it. The funeral service was held at the chapel of the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford, followed by burial at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Monday, October 20.

Event Date : Wednesday, February 28, 1973
Event Type : Death

Description : A life-long resident of Bradford, Alexander W. Spence of 155 Barrie St. died in Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, on February 28. Mr. Spence, 72, owned and operated Spence Lumber on Bridge St. He served on the former Bradford School Board and on the Bradford Council for several years. He was active in the conservation association, served as a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the United Church. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 3 in the Lewis Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Chapman officiating. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Surviving are Mr. Spence's wife, the former Mary Brady; one daughter, Mrs. Keith (Betty) Noble of Bradford; one sister, Mrs. Minnie Hammel of Bradford; one brother, Emerson of Delhi and three grandchildren, Douglas, Ronald and Barbara.Three brothers and one sister, William, Norman, Arthur and Emily are predeceased.

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 : Wednesday, August 27, 1952
Event Type : Death

Description : Over two years ago the many friends of Arthur James (Artie) Saint were saddened when they learned that he was forced to lead the life of an invalid because of a serious heart condition. in the intervening period his life had been repeatedly despaired for, then he would rally and hope for him was revived. Recently he had been a patient in Toronto General Hospital and since coming home he appeared to be greatly improved and had been around the house and even to the home of friends. However, the long period of poor health had taken a heavy toll on his strength and early Wednesday morning he suffered a stroke, followed a few hours later by two more, the latter resulting in his death. A.J. Saint was born in the Scotch Settlement at Ham's Corner's a son of Mr. Frank Saint, 91, now one of Bradford's oldest residents, and the late Mrs. Saint. He attended school at No. 4, Scotch Settlement, and Bradford High School. One of the most industrious and honest of workers, Art Saint early learned carpentering. In this trade he excelled and before long he became a contractor and one rated as second to none throughout a large area. Some of the largest and finest buildings of the district were built under the careful supervision of Art Saint, as were also some of the small but equally sturdy, ones. He was noted for the high quality and honesty of his workmanship, and his loss of health in the prime of his life can be at least partially attributed to energy expended in giving such faithful and exacting service. In 1929 he married Marguerite MacDonald, also of the Scotch Settlement, and they made their home in Bradford where they have since resided. Besides his wife, Mr. Saint is survived by one son, Keith, of Bradford; two daughters, Helen, now in Toronto, and Karen at home; one brother, Fred of Regina; two sisters, Mrs. Bateman (Wilma) of Toronto, and Miss Lena of Bradford, and his aged father in Bradford. Mr. Saint was a member of the Davey Hunt Club and of Simcoe Masonic Lodge No. 79, under which auspices his funeral was held on Saturday afternoon form his late residence. Rev. H.G. Blake conducted the services and interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Pallbearers were John Bowser, Aurora; W. Van Norman, Guelph; Major Thos. Ewing, Newmarket; Dr. G.L. Blackwell, Leonard Saint and Samuel McDonell.

Event Date : Wednesday, February 09, 1994
Event Type : Death
Community : Alliston

Description : At Stevenson Memorial Hosital, Alliston, in his 90th year. Resident of Bradford. Husband of Gertrude. Father of Anne (Mrs. Harry Sparling) of London, Joan (Mrs. Vincent Lackimia) of California, and predeceased by Ross and Carl. Grandfather of eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Visitation and service at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford, followed by cremation. Masonic Service under the auspices of Simcoe Lodge No. 79 A.F. & A.M., Bradford.

Event Date : Thursday, June 19, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Stewart Scott McKenzie, a man who was a strong and active force in Bradford for more than 35 years as a politician and publisher of the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News, died last week in York County Hospital in Newmarket, last Thursday following a short illness. Mr. McKenzie was born in the Village of Paisley in Bruce County where he grew up and was educated. The former publisher of the Witness had a long tradition in newspapering and was one of four sons born to a former publisher of the Paisley Advocate. Mr. McKenzie served in the Canadian Army during World War I. When he returned after the war he resumed his newspaper career and joined the production department of the old Detroit Times. In 1931, he and his wife Ina, also a native of Paisley, moved to Bradford and purchased the Bradford Witness and South Simcoe News from publisher O. M. Seim. That began a career in this town that stretched over 35 years until the couple retired in 1968 following the sale of the Witness to Gerry and Nona Barker. During that time Mr. McKenzie involved himself not only in the production and technical side of his business, while his wife handled the paper's editorial department, but also in his community. Mr. McKenzie became active in local politics and served as a school board trustee and member of Bradford's village council. In 1937, he was one of the charter members of the Bradford Lions Club and served as one of the organization's first presidents. He was also a member of Simcoe Lodge #73 of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. In addition, he served as an Elder in Bradford's United Church. Funeral services for the man who devoted so much of his life to his community were held on Saturday morning in the chapel of the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home on Simcoe Street, in Bradford.The service was conducted by Reverend Robert Chapman. Pallbearers were Norman Collings, Keith Langford, Bradford Mayor Joe Magani, Brock Evans, Charles Evans and Deputy Reeve Ken Wood. Brad Walker, George Jackson and Clarence Ritchie served as flower bearers. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. Mr. McKenzie is survived by his wife Ina, and three brothers.