Event Date : Wednesday, July 04, 1973
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at York County Hospital, Newmarket, in his 90th year. Of R.R. 2, Bradford, beloved husband of the late Mary Evans and dear father of Grace (Mrs. Herb Black), Stroud, Irene (Mrs. Victor Turner), Bradford, Clarence, R.R. 2, Bradford, Ernest, Ottawa and the late Ruth and Joseph. Loving brother of Harry, Bradford, Eli (Mrs. Wes Adair), Newmarket, Jessie (Mrs. Ivan Metcalfe), Bradford. Predeceased by 1 brother and 3 sisters. Also survived by 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Resting at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service in the chapel Saturday at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Friday, December 27, 1963
Event Type : Death

Description : Died suddenly, as the result of an accident. Of R.R. 2, Newmarket, beloved husband of the late Harmke vander Hede, dear father of Eise of Holland Marsh, Henry of California, Gertie, Katrina and Hilda, all of Ansnorveld, Holland Marsh. Services were held at the Christian Reformed Church, Holland Marsh, on Monday at 2:30 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. Arrangements were handled by the Lathangue-Kilkenny Funeral Home, Bradford.

Event Date : Wednesday, June 27, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Mr. Ralph Matthews' very sudden death, as the result of a heart attack, shortly after arriving for his day's business at Holland River Gardens Co. Limited on Wednesday morning, June 27, has left a vacancy in his home, in his church, among the Holland Marsh people, and among his many friends in Bradford. His cheerful disposition and friendly smile had made him a friend to all who knew him. Mr. Matthews was born in Holland, and emigrated to this country thirty-one years ago. Before leaving Holland he became engaged to Elsie Horlings and the following year she came to Chatham, Ontario, where they were married. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews established their home in Windsor and there their two daughters, Henrietta (Mrs. Sidney Van Dyke) of the Holland Marsh, and Jeanne (Mrs. Michael Havinga) of London, Ontario, were born. In August of 1946, when Bradford's first vegetable packing plant, Holland River Gardens Co. Limited, was opened, with his brother-in-law, George Horlings, then the vice-president and general manager, Ralph Matthews resigned his position as foreman in an industrial plant in Windsor to join the company here. His home was on the Holland Marsh. His church was the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church. His friendships were among the members of that congregation and few weddings from that church were complete without a reception following at which Ralph Matthews was master of ceremonies. But his friendships were not confined to his Canadian fellow countrymen. He was an enthusiastic bowler and was a member of the Bradford Men's Bowling Club, where at the annual closing social evenings he was always an asset as a leader. His friendships knew no barriers of race or creed. All good people who knew Ralph Matthews were pleased to call him friend. He is survived by his wife and his two daughters. Two sisters and two brothers reside in Holland and three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Matthews returned to their native land and visited their relatives there. Though his immediate family did not follow him to this country, his family relationships were numerous in this community by his marriage into one of the pioneer marshland families here. His funeral was from the Holland Marsh Christian Reformed Church with his minister, Rev. P. Lagerwey, conducting the services. Six nephews, namely, Wm. Winter, Gerald Verkaik, Harry Horlings, Richard Hyma, Louis Tamminga and George Hulsman were the pallbearers. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.

Event Date : Monday, March 22, 1999
Event Type : Death

Description : At home in her 45th year. Wife of the late William. Mother of Justin and Brandon. Daughter of Jane Bolton (Fyfe) and Robert of Aurora. Sister of Kenneth Fyfe and his wife Laura of Oakville, Murray Fyfe and his wife Elizabeth of Kettleby. Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Niece of Allan and Diane Ferguson. Visitation at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford. Funeral held at Dunkerron United Church on March 29, followed by cremation. Donations to the Justin and Brandon Burton Educational Trust Fund or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Event Date : Monday, March 22, 1999
Event Type : Death

Description : Suddenly at home at R.R. 1 Bradford, in his 46th year. Husband of the late Heather (Fyfe). Father of Justin and Brandon. Son of Irma and the late William Burton. Brother of Bob of Bradford, Janice and her husband Ernie Dobney of Bradford, Elaine and her husband Don Wismer of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Nancy and her husband Bob Till of Kitchener. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Visitation at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, Bradford. Funeral held at the Dunkerron United Church, followed by cremation. Donations to the Justin and Brandon Burton Educational Trust Fund or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Event Date : Monday, November 06, 1939
Event Type : Death

Description : Passed away in Bradford at the age of 81. The husband of Sarah Elizabeth Fildey. Is interred in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.

Event Date : Wednesday, November 28, 1956
Event Type : Death

Description : Though in failing health for the past several years, Mr. George C. Verkaik was only seriously ill for about ten days before his death, which occurred on Wednesday, November 28. Mr. Verkaik can surely be called the father of today's thriving village of Springdale. Twenty-two years ago, Mr. Verkaik purchased some ninety acres of land, almost all of which was on the Holland Marsh, from the late Mr. Matthew Brandon and proceeded to clear land and build a neat home on the West Gwillimbury side of the river. He brought his wife and family here from the Chatham district and as the sons of the family married and built homes of their own their little group of homes became known as the Verkaik settlement. Roads were a problem in those days and the Verkaik settlement, in relation to the rest of the then partially-settled marsh, was isolated. In those years of the 30's the only access to the Verkaik property was over the hills of the Brandon farm and across a too-long bridge suspended over the canal. But unlike most of the bigger land owners of that period Mr. Verkaik made a success of his venture, and under his guidance his family also succeeded, and together they laid the foundation for today's pretty and promising village. Mr. Verkaik was born in Haarlemmermeer, Holland, in 1883, coming to Canada and the Chatham area in 1926, where he farmed before coming to the Holland Marsh in 1934. When the sons of the family accepted responsibility for the big land acreage, Mr. Verkaik moved to Bradford where he built the pretty home now owned by Mr. N. Porter on Barrie Street, and where he and Mrs. Verkaik lived for several years. During this period he purchased the site and built the building known as the Verkaik block on Holland Street north. But Mr. and Mrs. Verkaik loved the marsh, they missed the convenient companionship of their family and friends there, and in 1950 they built a home in Springdale and returned to reside there close to seven of the nine members of their family. Surviving are his wife; five sons, namely, Jacob, George, Harry, Peter and Anthony, all of Springdale; and four daughters, Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Horlings) of Holland Marsh, Lena (Mrs. Harry Israels), Anne (Mrs. Stanley Mol), and Agnes (Mrs. Arthur Van Dyke), also of Springdale. A devout member of Springdale Christian Reformed Church, his funeral services were held from that church on Saturday afternoon, and were conducted by his minister, Rev. R. Wildschut, with a former minister, Rev. Vandermeer, now of Barrie, leading the graveside prayer. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The pallbearers were Messrs. Anthony Van Dyke, Jack Israels, Frank Janse, Anthony De Winter, Jacob Mann, and Harry Horlings.

Event Date : Friday, July 20, 1951
Event Type : Death
Community : Schomberg

Description : Suddenly, as the result of an accident, in his 31st year. Husband of Mary Flatt. Father of Marlya and Gweneth. Rested at the home of his father-in-law H. Flatt, Schomberg, where the funeral was held. Interment in King City Cemetery.

Event Date : Saturday, October 17, 1953
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Toronto, Ont.

Description : One of the oldest practicing dentists in Ontario, being a 1900 graduate from the College of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Dr. Charles W. Ellis was instantly killed as he crossed the street to his son-in-law's car on the Queen Elizabeth Way at Haig Blvd. early Saturday evening. Larry Rutherford, his son-in-law of Applewood Rd., was waiting for him on the shoulder of the west-bound lane to take him home in his car. Dr. Ellis alighted from a bus and was crossing the west-bound lane when he was hit by a car driven by Edward Dinsmore of Toronto. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a Port Credit coroner.
Born in Bradford, Dr. Ellis received his High School education in Barrie. Graduated from the University of Toronto in 1900 he practiced in Beeton for a short time before he married the former Adelia Maude Rose, Syracuse, New York, who predeceased him 29 years ago, and began practice here where he has been for over 50 years. He was a life member of Bradford Lodge, A.F. & A.M., where he was Past Master. He was feted by the lodge recently on the occasion of his 50th year of membership. He was also a life member of the Ontario Dental Association. He was a member of Bradford United Church where he had taught Sunday School and was a former steward in the church and served for many years as church treasurer. He has also been a member of Bradford Lions Club for some years. During his younger days, Dr. Ellis was an athlete and won many medals as a bicycle racer and tennis player.He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Rutherford, Lakeview, and Mrs. R. G. Freyermuth, Iowa, and two grandchildren, Janet and Charles Freyermuth. He was predeceased by two brothers, Aubrey and Bert, and his only sister, Mrs. W. A. Pringle (Mabel). Dr. Ellis had given valued service to this municipality having served on the Board of Education and the Board of Health for a number of years. Through his long years of practice Dr. Ellis was one of the best known residents of the area. Possessing very definite opinions and the strictest code of honour and honesty of purpose himself, he expected the same high standards from those with whom he did business. His friends, especially in later years, were largely those who had been his patients over a long term of years, and a few of the older residents, and his tragic death was learned with sorrow by them all. A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon from his home, under Masonic auspices, with services being conducted by Rev. F. G. MacTavish. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.