Event Date : Saturday, September 06, 1958
Event Type : Death

Description : About eight weeks before his death, Mr. Isaac Cairns became ill and was taken to York County Hospital where he underwent an operation. He failed to make a good recovery, and for the several weeks following it was realized that he was failing. He passed away on Saturday, September 6. Although in his 85th year, Mr. Cairns enjoyed remarkably good health until his last illness. He was a familiar figure about town, and a regular spectator at athletic meets, rarely missing games of hockey, lacrosse or ball, and always being an enthusiastic fan for the home team. Born in Nottawasaga Township, near Creemore, he spent his younger years in that area. In 1920 he gave up farming for about a year to operate a grocery store in Collingwood, and when he decided to return to farming he purchased the West Gwillimbury farm where his son, Stanley, now resides and moved to that farm in 1921. Twenty-two years ago last June, with his late wife, he retired to Bradford when Stanley was married.On February 10, 1901, he married Mary Grace Fisher of Stayner. Mrs. Cairns predeceased her husband seventeen years ago last June. Their eldest son, Elmer, died twelve years ago. Surviving are one son, Stanley, on the West Gwillimbury farm; one daughter, Mrs. Eben Sawyer (Myrtle) of Churchill, and several grandchildren. A Presbyterian in religion, Mr. Cairns had been an elder of that church for thirty years. He was a member of the L.O.L. and for 67 years had never missed an Orange walk, this year being his first time absent from the annual celebration since his joining the lodge. In Nottawasaga Township he served as a school trustee for a long period of years. The funeral was held from Bradford Presbyterian Church on Tuesday afternoon, September 9, where the services were in charge of his minister, Mr. Williams, assisted by Rev. F. G. MacTavish of Bradford United Church. Interment was in St. John's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. The pallbearers were former neighbours and church friends, namely, Milton Ritchie, Wm. Langford, Seward Lee, Harold Scarrow, F. C. Cook and Kenneth Wood.

Event Date : Wednesday, February 03, 1954
Event Type : Death

Description : Returning last Wednesday afternoon from Newmarket Hospital, where he had been hospitalized for over a week, Mr. James A. Webb passed away within a few hours of his arrival home early that evening, February 3. He was in his 80th year. Born in West Gwillimbury at what was then Scanlon P.O., but which today is only marked by a creek bearing the name, the late Mr. Webb spent his entire life here, where since early manhood he had been engaged in the butchering business. Married in Bradford to the late Mary Emma Collings, who predeceased him in July, 1948, the late Mr. Webb is survived by a family of three sons and three daughters. George resides in Mimico; James R. carries on the business formerly operated by his father in Bradford; Ben is in Toronto; Miss Birdie is at home; Mrs. Louis Walker (Agatha) lives in Lindsay, and Mrs. Hillary (Mary) at Vandorf. Two sisters also survive, Mrs. Sarah Kitchen of Wyebridge, Ont., and Mrs. Alice Coombs of Bradford. A very active and physically fit man, Mr. Webb remained with his business until 1948, when he left the responsibilities with his son, James. An athlete in his younger days, the late Mr. Webb excelled in lacrosse. When Arthur had a championship lacrosse team in 1899, James Webb was a member of that team and when Bradford were the lacrosse champions in 1909 he was a member of his home team. He never lost interest in lacrosse and was one of the ardent promoters and fans of the more recent Bradford Box Lacrosse teams. Formerly president of the club, last year he was honourary president. He was always at the games, enthusiastically cheering or calling advice to the players. In the passing of Mr. Webb, Bradford lacrosse has lost a loyal supporter. For fifty years Mr. Webb was a member of Simcoe Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Trinity Anglican Church, and for a number of years served on Bradford Public Utilities Commission.The funeral was held from his late residence on Friday afternoon. His rector, Rev. W. S. Johnson, conducted the services and interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The funeral was under Masonic auspices and honourary pallbearers were members of that Order, namely, Mel. Waldruff, Frank Smelser, Percy Stevenson, Archie Hammell, Donald Gray and Russell Worfolk.The active pallbearers were his three sons, two sons-in-law, and a nephew, namely, George, James and Ben Webb, Louis Walker, Horace Hillary and Walter Coombs. Business places closed in respect during the funeral hours.

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