Event Date : Monday, July 15, 1968
Event Type : Death

Description : Suddenly at his home on Monday, July 15, 1968, Alonzo Williams of R.R. 1, Bradford, beloved husband of Dorothy Jackson, father of Ralph of Bradford, Zelpha (Mrs. C. Batt) of Oak Ridges, and Mary (Mrs. R. Lisk) of R.R. 1, Beeton, brother of Alexandra (Mrs. Earl Anderson) of Sundridge, Lettie (Mrs. Robert Wood) of Newton Robinson, Anna (Mrs. W.R. Smeltzer), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Walter, Harry and Cilas, all deceased, and survived by eight grandchildren. Friends may call at the Lewis Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service in the cahpel Wednesday at 3 p.m. Interment Bond Head Cemetery.

Event Date : Tuesday, October 16, 1984
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Mississauga, Ont.

Description : Ernest Peterman, 91, of Bradford, died Tuesday Oct. 16 at the Mississauga Nursing Home. Born Oct. 8, 1893, he was married in Bradford in 1964 to his wife, the late Lola Miller. Surviving are two sisters, Vera Williams, Mississauga and Norma Robb, Newmarket. He was also predeceased by four brothers, Gernald, Monty, Melville and Bert and two sisters, Doris Danas and Ila Gibb. Funeral services were held Thursday Oct. 18 at the chapel of Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford with Rev. H. Dahlin officiating. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Event Date : Sunday, February 26, 1984
Event Type : Death

Description : A well-known Bradford resident died this past Sunday after suffering a heart attack following a lengthy illness.Eighty-one-year-old Thomas Gardner had been a resident of Bradford since 1918 and was chosen as the town's Citizen of the Year in 1976. Mr. Gardner was born in Newmarket and moved to Bradford with his family at the age of 16. He and his father, Herbert, opened Gardner's Hardware Store on Holland St. and supplied the needs of local residents. When his father died in 1950, Thomas continued the family business. He soon married longtime Bradford resident Rita Cook and had two sons of his own, Donald and John. Don worked with his father at the hardware store until 1962. The store was sold in 1973. Mr. Gardner sat on the Bradford Board of Education for 40 years and was chairman of the board at the time Bradford Public School was built. Other accomplishments included being a member of Bradford town council, elder and active member of the Bradford United Church and superintendent of the Church's Sunday School program for 25 years. He was also president of the Red Cross at the time of Hurricane Hazel. For 30 years, Mr. Gardner was a dedicated member of the Bradford Lions. He leaves behind his wife Rita, sons Don of Simcoe and John of Willowdale, and grandchildren Jim, Dave, Jane and Peter. Funeral service will be held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m., at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the Newmarket Cemetery.

Event Date : Thursday, February 09, 1984
Event Type : Death

They came to this small village, located just south of Cookstown, to pay their last respects to a political legend.Gathered in the Newton Robinson United Church, with the rain falling softly outside, they listened as Rev. Henry Dahlin performed the service. It was a final tribute to a man whose political career spanned almost 65 years. William Earl Rowe, former lieutenant governor of Ontario and political veteran died last Thursday at his Newton Robinson home after suffering a heart attack. He was 89.
Born in Iowa, Mr. Rowe grew up in Simcoe County, where his political career began in 1919 when he became reeve of West Gwillimbury Township. He spent 35 years as a Conservative legislator at both the provincial and federal levels before he was named lieutenant governor in 1963. A former leader of the Ontario Conservative Party, Mr. Rowe was also the youngest member in the R. B. Bennett cabinet, where he served as minister without portfolio.In 1958, his daughter Jean Casselman Wadds was elected to parliament, making the Rowes the first father-daughter team in Canada's history. She now serves on the MacDonald Commission on the economy.In addition to his long and distinguished political career, Mr. Rowe was also actively involved in harness racing throughout his life. Together with his son, Bill, he founded both the Barrie and Windsor Raceway.
Among those attending the funeral service held Monday afternoon at Newton Robinson United Church were Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird, Premier William Davis, New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, Solicitor General George Taylor, former lieutenant governor Roland Michener, and York-Peel MP Sinclair Stevens.Premier Davis described Mr. Rowe as a great Canadian who will be remembered as a man who excelled as parliamentarian Queen's representative in Ontario as a breeder and racer of standard-bred horses a farmer and most importantly in raising a fine family."
Mr. Rowe's wife Treva died five weeks ago after suffering a series of strokes. They are predeceased by a son Lennox. Mr. Rowe leaves a sister Mary Lennox and a daughter Jean Casselman Wadds. In addition he leaves to mourn grandchildren Mrs. Jane Hutchins, Nancy Casselman of Toronto, Earl Rowe of Shanty Bay, Clare Casselman of Toronto, Scott Rowe of Cookstown, Cindy Rowe of London, Patti Rowe of Cookstown, and great-grandchildren Jennifer Hutchins, Katherine and Crystal Rowe. Mr. Rowe was buried at Newton Robinson Cemetery. Honourary pallbearers were Roland Michener, William Davis, Art Evans, Bill Hodgson, Louis Levesque, and Ellen Fairclough. Pallbearers were Earl Rowe, Scott Rowe, Lorne Lennox, Jim MacDonald, Dave Hutchins, and Clare Casselman."

Event Date : Wednesday, January 04, 1984
Event Type : Death

After a love that spanned more than seven decades, the Honorable Earl and Treva Rowe parted for the final time this past Saturday, as Mrs. Rowe, who died last Wednesday (Jan. 4), was buried in the Newton Robinson Cemetery. More than 100 people attended the funeral to pay their last respects to Mrs. Rowe, who celebrated her 89th birthday on Dec. 10. It was a sad parting, but not one of despair, as Mrs. Rowe had suffered several strokes during the past 18 months, and had been confined to her bed, under the care of nurses, for much of that time.
Treva Lennox was born in 1894, less than a mile from the home where she and Earl Rowe would spend their lives together. In an interview yesterday (Tuesday), the Hon. Earl Rowe said that he and his wife had lived on almost adjoining farms and had been "childhood friends." "We played together as children" he said. As they grew older their friendship grew into love and on June 27 1917 they were married at the Newton Robinson United Church. Treva Rowe was "very much a homebody" said her husband. "She'd rather be at home looking after her children and grandchildren that anywhere else." "She had a special passion for children - she was always very concerned about the welfare of young people and teenagers." The Rowes had three children: Bill Lennox and Jean, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. During her husband's long political career Treva Rowe made many friends throughout Ontario. Among those attending her funeral were: Ontario Solicitor-General George Taylor; Ron Stewart - MP Simcoe South; Tom Wells (representing Bill Davis) Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs; Harold Graham former OPP Commisioner; and Ontario Lt. Governor John Black Aird. Federal Conservative Party leader Brian Mulroney sent flowers. Treva Rowe's hobbies included needlework of which she did a "tremendous amount" said Mr. Rowe and painting - animals wildlife scenery - that sort of thing."I'll have some beautiful memories around here" said Mr. Rowe of his wife's handiwork. "

Event Date : Wednesday, August 26, 1998
Event Type : Death

Description : At Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Alliston on Wednesday, August 26, 1998. Gertrude Agar, of Alliston, and formerly of Bradford, in her 85th year. Beloved wife of the late William Melbourne. Loving mother of Anne (Mrs. Harry Sparling) of Stratford, Joan (Mrs. Vincent Lackimia) of California, mother-in-law of Ruth Melbourne and predeceased by sons Ross and Carl. Dear grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to fifteen. Friends may call at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Rd., Bradford for visitation on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by cremation.

Event Date : Sunday, September 06, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, in her 58th year. Of Bradford, beloved wife of Lewis, dear daughter of Julianna, dear mother of Victoria (Mrs. George Bos) and Daniel. Dear sister of Carolyn (Mrs. Ted Greenwood), Newmarket. Dear grandmother of Michael and Steven. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Funeral mass was held at Holy Martyrs of Japan Church Thursday at 10 a.m. Interment Holy Martyrs Cemetery.

Event Date : Wednesday, July 08, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Former owner and publisher of The Bradford Witness died after a lengthy illness. Beloved wife of the late Stewart S. McKenzie, beloved sister of Donalda Crosbie, Toronto, dear aunt of Robert W. Crosbie, loving great-aunt of Alexander, George and Cynthia. Dear friend of Mrs. Ella Langford. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel Friday at 1 p.m. Interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.

Event Date : Wednesday, July 08, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Former owner, publisher, and editor of The Bradford Witness, Ina McKenzie, died last Wednesday, July 8, after a lengthy illness. She was 89. Born Ina Galbraith in Paisley, Bruce County, Mrs. McKenzie learned to be independent at an early age after the death of her father at age 29. Her mother, a school teacher, struggled to raise her and younger sister Donalda. "I went into teaching as well because there was nothing else a girl at that time could do except become a nurse" Mrs. McKenzie remarked in an interview before her death. She taught for several years in the tough downtown Toronto core where her students included the famous Conacher brothers. "They were wonderful boys. Perhaps a bit mischievious though" she recalled laughing. After marrying her childhood sweetheart Stewart McKenzie (who died in 1975) she left teaching to move to Detroit with her husband."All that time - it was in the 1920s - Detroit was a boom town. Everyone was playing the stock market and making a great deal of money - on paper at any rate. Stewart got a job on a financial publication called Saturday Night."Mr. McKenzie had an extensive background in the newspaper business. His father had owned the Paisley Advocate.While in Detroit the stock market crashed and Mr. McKenzie because he was a Canadian citizen was in danger of losing his job."I told Stewart 'Let's look for a business now while you've still got a job' so we went on vacation and looked at what appeared to be a very prosperous newspaper in Trenton" Mrs. McKenzie remembered.However being a very astute business woman she noted that the paper printed a great deal of political material that would come to a halt if the government changed. They decided to look elsewhere.Bradford was their next stop."When we arrived in Bradford it was a beautiful day" she recalled. However the condition of The Bradford Witness was something else again."Stewart went in and told me 'The machinery is a disgrace'" she remembered but they loved the little town and decided to stay contributing greatly to its prosperity and growth over the years.In those first years of the Depression Bradford was little more than a main street the lower end shabby the western portion relatively prosperous she recalled. "Everything was booming when we arrived in Bradford." Mrs. McKenzie noted. "But shortly after many people were in dire poverty. If we would have collected what was on our books we could have retired however people gave what they could."During this time they relocated the paper's office from Holland St. to Barrie St. (where the European Bakery is currently located) remaining there until they retired in 1968 selling the paper to Gerry Barker.Before deteriorating eyesight hampered her activities Mrs. McKenzie was extremely active in various organizations in Bradford. During the Second World War she headed the Bradford chapter of the Canadian Red Cross. She was a charter member of the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE and a past president of the Bradford Women's Institute. She also taught Sunday School at the Bradford United Church. One of the driving forces behind fund-raising efforts for the Bradford Community Centre. Mrs. McKenzie also lent her considerable energies and intelligence to the Hurricane Hazel flood relief program and various other community projects. Ina McKenzie is survived by her sister Donalda Crosbie of Toronto nephew Robert W. Crosbie and good friend Ella Langford of Bradford. She was also great-aunt to Alexander George and Cynthia. Friends called at the Lathangue and Skwarchuk Funeral Home and a service conducted by Rev. G. McFarlane was held in the chapel on Friday July 10. She was buried next to her husband at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.Donations to the West Gwillimbury chapter of IODE would be appreciated.

Event Date : Tuesday, June 16, 1981
Event Type : Death

Description : Died at Riverdale Hospital. Of Toronto and formerly of Bradford, dear sister of Norma Robb, Vera Williams and Ernest Peterman. Also survived by nieces and nephews. Rested at Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St., Bradford. Service was held in the chapel Friday at 2 p.m. Interment Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford.