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 : 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 : 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.