Event Date : Tuesday, May 24, 1955
Event Type : Death
Municipality : Newmarket, Ont.

Description : The passing of Mrs. Isaac Coburn in Newmarket Hospital on Tuesday, May 24, came as a great shock to her family and friends. Nearly four weeks before her death she suffered a heart seizure but it was not regarded as very severe. A week later she was moved to the hospital where she appeared to be making satisfactory progress. On the morning of May 24 she had just been made ready to have her breakfast when she passed away. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Hosea Wilkinson of Bradford, Mrs. Coburn, whose maiden name was Grace Ethlyne Wilkinson, had resided here for all but a few years of her life. She attended Bradford schools and being exceptionally gifted in needlework she was a milliner and dressmaker before her marriage in Toronto on January 31, 1912, to Isaac Edgar Coburn. A few years later Mr. and Mrs. Coburn returned to Bradford where they established their home. Nearly eight years ago Mr. Coburn passed away and Mrs. Coburn remained in her home with her daughter, Miss Gwenyth. Mrs. Coburn was never idle, a quality to which her home and its surroundings gave evidence. In addition to being a homemaker she was an energetic worker in the Woman's Auxiliary of her church, Bradford Presbyterian, and in Bradford Women's Institute. Mrs. Coburn is survived by two daughters, Audrey (Mrs. Ken Keith) of Bracebridge and Miss Gwenyth at home, and one son Ross, of Dorset, Ontario. Three brothers also survive, namely Arthur, Earle and Chester Wilkinson of Toronto. A fourth brother, Fred Wilkinson, predeceased her. The funeral was held from her late residence on Thursday, May 26. The services were taken by the former minister of Bradford Presbyterian Church of which she was a member, Rev. Mr. McLarnon of Toronto. Interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The pallbearers were Messrs. Robt. McMaster, R. Magloughlen, Herb. Taylor, Harvey Curry, Lorne Fines and Percy Stephenson.

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.

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.