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, 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."

Contains files and information relating to the Hon. W. Earl Rowe, 20th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1963-1968 and reeve of the Township of West Gwillimbury 1919-1923.