Event Date : Sunday, June 10, 1962
Event Type : Death

Description : At Toronto, on Sunday, June 10, 1962, Etta Waldruff, of Bradford, beloved wife of the late Benjamin B. Collings and dear mother of Bernice (Mrs. Gordon Crutcher), of Thornhill; Kathleen (Mrs. Kenneth Blevins), of Toronto, and Norman, of Bradford. Resting at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Simcoe St., full service on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

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 : Monday, October 06, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : "Dodger" (former vice-president and general manager of Hardee Farms Bradford). Suddenly at Chedoke Hospital Hamilton on Monday October 6 1975. Dodger Collings of Bradford in his 66th year beloved husband of Jean Blizzard and dear father of Tom of Stratford and Mary Jane (Mrs. J. Buyers) of Melbourne Australia. Also survived by seven grandsons. Dear brother of Kathleen (Jed) (Mrs. K. Blevins) of Toronto and Bernice (Mrs. G. Crutcher) of Markham. Friends may call at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home 30 Simcoe St. Bradford Tues. 7-9:30 p.m. Wed. 2-4:30p.m. Service Thursday at 2:30p.m. at the Bradford United Church. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery Bradford.

Event Date : Saturday, October 12, 1996
Event Type : Death

Description : At Toronto General Hospital with his family by his side, in his 64th year. Owner-Operator of Bradford I.G.A. for over 50 years. Husband and best friend of Marilyn (Ritchie). Father and mentor of Dianne and her husband Tim Haddock, Dave Compton and his wife Karen. Papa of Sam and Lexi Haddock, Danna and Andrea Compton. Brother of Joan Pond of Jordan Station and Norma Duffy of Palgrave, and friend to many. Visitation and funeral service at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford, followed by cremation. Masonic service under the auspices of Simcoe Lodge A.F. & A.M., No. 79 Bradford. Donations to the Rotary Club of Bradford or to the Bradford Library would be appreciated.

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.

Event Date : Thursday, April 24, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Fred Cook, a man who for many years was a social and political influence in Bradford, died last Thursday in York County Hospital at 73. Mr. Cook was admitted to the hospital April 6 suffering from a heart attack. Funeral services were held in Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford, on Monday afternoon with the Rector, Rev. Jack House and Bishop Hunt, a lifelong friend of Mr. Cook, conducting the service. Hundreds of friends and associates gathered in the little church on Church St. that Fred Cook served so well. Mayor Joe Magani led a delegation of members of council and the town administrative staff. Many officials representing the various surrounding municipalities also attended the special funeral service.Reeve William Gibbins of Innisfil and Simcoe County Warden Edgar Currie and Reeve Orville Hughes of West Gwillimbury attended along with municipal, church and fraternal officials. Pallbearers included George Allison, Bradford Fire Chief Ted Gapp, Chief Constable John Dudgeon, Building Inspector Bert Magloughlen, Deputy Reeve Ken Wood and Ruston Folliott. Interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.During his 73 years, Fred Cook's life revolved around the town of his birth, Bradford.He was actively engaged in municipal politics and for more than 10 years served as the town's deputy reeve and representative on county council. In last year's election he decided to step down from the deputy reeve's chair. However, Mr. Cook did not leave the political scene and was successful in his bid to gain a council seat.Outside politics Fred Cook immersed himself in a number of community and social organizations. He was a lay reader in the Anglican Church from 1934 until his death and was involved in Christian education serving as Sunday School Superintendent for more than 45 years. In 1962 he received a citation from the Canadian Council of Churches' education department for his outstanding work. He was also a member of the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Mr. Cook was a member of the Simcoe Lodge #79 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. At the time of his death he had achieved the 32nd Degree of the brotherhood. In his service to that organization, Mr. Cook served as district deputy grand master of the A.F. and A.M.'s district C". Mr. Cook also served at a grand master of the Orange Lodge for Ontario West and was a faithful member of Centennial Lodge LOL 209. Until 1957 Mr. Cook operated an insurance business in Bradford. Fred Cook is survived by his wife Leone, one sister Reta (Mrs. T. Gardner) of Bradford and one brother John of Windsor. Bradford Mayor Joe Magani commented on Mr. Cook's death saying: "It would take me hours to talk about Fred Cook. He will be very much missed on council. To me he was a real man and always a real gentleman on council. I served with him on council for 18 years and he was a great worker for the public and for the town. He did everything he could to satisfy the ratepayers at all times. He did a good job in finance. If ever I got stuck for words I could always turn to him for help."The mayor added: "He was a very beautiful man. It will take a long time to find another one like him."

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.

Event Date : Tuesday, June 27, 1972
Event Type : Death

Description : Bessie E. Copeland at Simcoe Manor, Beeton. On Tuesday, June 27, 1972, Bessie E. MacPherson, formerly of RR#1, Bradford, in her 84th year, beloved wife of the late George Copeland, dear sister of Grace (Mrs. Ed Copeland of Waubaushene), Freddie, Mrs. Charles Copeland of RR#4 Cookstown and late Jenny, Mrs. George Neilly, Agnes, John, Donald and Jessie MacPherson. Rested at Hughes Funeral Home, cookstown. Service at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 29th. Interment in Bond Head cemetery.

Event Date : Monday, June 06, 1960
Event Type : Death

Description : Suddenly, at his home, R.R. 2, Bradford, on Monday, June 6, 1960, Charles Copeland, beloved husband of Fredda MacPherson and loving father of Betty (Mrs. Leonard Jeffery) and dear brother of William. Resting at the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Simcoe St., Bradford, for service on Thursday, June 9 at 3:00 p.m. Interment St. John's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.