Event Date : Saturday, May 14, 1955
Event Type : Death

Description : Until within less than a week of his death Mr. T. W. W. Evans, senior member of the law firm of Evans & Evans, Bradford, was at his desk conducting the business of his profession as he had done for nearly 61 years. Last week he did not feel well, and, as had happened upon occasions during recent years, he was forced to remain at home in bed. But the rally to fairly good health which brought him back from previous sicknesses did not occur and he passed away early Saturday morning, May 14. The history of the Evans family dates back some 137 years, to around 1818, when George Evans with his wife and family came from Ireland and settled on Concession 10. Their son, James, later married Ann Mitchell and lived on the same farm, and when their son, George M. Evans, married he brought his bride, the former Elizabeth Cooper, to this same farm, and to them, on May 10, 1868, was born a son whom they named Thomas Wesley Whitfield Evans. And so began a life which was to serve a vital role in this community over a very long period of years.After attending the Bradford schools, including the old Bradford Model school, Mr. Evans taught school for a time at Coulson's Hill before entering law school in Toronto. After graduation he returned to Bradford and set up his law practice in October, 1894. Two years later he married Edith Graham, daughter of T. S. Graham and his wife Annie Drifill Graham, and Mr. and Mrs. Evans established their home in the house on Holland Street which had been built by the grandfather of Mrs. Evans, Thos. Drifill, the first reeve of Bradford. That house is still the Evans home. Mr. and Mrs. Evans had a family of six sons and one daughter. Three of the sons are lawyers, namely, Graham, Charles and Brock, and they with their father formed a family foursome of K.C.'s, now Q.C.'s, in the legal profession. Graham Evans, Q.C., is in Toronto. Fred Evans resides in Clarkson. Max Evans is in Toronto. Charles Evans, Q.C., is a member of the Evans & Evans firm here. Joseph Evans is in Toronto. Betty (Mrs. Jackson) and her family have made their home with her father for a number of years., while Brock Evans, Q.C., is a member of the Evans & Evans firm here. Most the grandchildren are now young men and women and friends of the family will be interested in them. The Graham Evans' family includes a son and daughter, Dr. John and Miss Elizabeth, R.N. The Fred Evans' family includes two daughters, two sons, and a grandson, namely Jean (Mrs. Bruce), and her son David, Douglas, William and Barbara. Max Evans has two sons, Thomas and David. Charles Evans' have four sons, Thomas, James, Robert and Richard. Joseph Evans has a son and two daughters, Donald, Sally Jo and Frances. Betty (Mrs. Jackson) is the mother of George and Elizabeth Jackson, while Brock's family is daughter Ann and son Christopher. Mrs. Evans passed away in October, 1945. Mr. Evans is also survived by four sisters and two brothers, namely, Mrs. Strong (Annie), Mrs. Hughes (Florence),Miss Eva Evans and Miss Libbie Evans, all of Toronto; and two brothers, Charles in Southey and Milton in White Fox, Saskatchewan. He was predeceased by three brothers, Dr. James Evans, Matthew and Fred.The history of West Gwillimbury and Bradford and the Evans family have been analogous for a period of around 135 years. Mr. T. W. W. Evans' father was Reeve of West Gwillimbury for a long term of years and was Warden of Simcoe County in 1873. His uncle, Zackariah Evans, was clerk of the township for a very long period of years. Mr. Evans has been solicitor for both the town and the township for, it is believed, over half a century, thus guiding the businesses of these municipalities. He also served on the schoolboard of Bradford for many years and acted as its chairman. In church affairs he always was a valued leader. In his younger days his church was the Methodist church at Mount Pleasant. Later it was the Methodist church in Bradford and since church union his church was the United Church here. He was an elder of the church and a member of several church boards. His presence at the church services always lent dignity to that service. He was also a lay representative on the Council of the United Church of Canada for a long term of years. Mr. Evans was a member of Simcoe Masonic Lodge and served as Master of the Lodge in 1907. A number of years ago he was presented with his 50 year membership medal by the lodge. He was also a member of L.O.L., Bradford. In 1926 Mr. Evans was joined in his law practice by his son, Charles T. S. Evans, and the firm became Evans & Evans. With expanding business, Brock M. Evans joined the firm in 1950. It was his sons' association in the firm, and their deference to him as senior member of the firm, which made possible Mr. Evans' active role in his profession to the last. Always keenly interested in athletics, he was a member of the executive of the famed lacrosse clubs in Bradford in years gone by and even during recent years he was usually an interested spectator at all sporting activities. As a father, as a churchman, as a citizen, and as a gentleman, Mr. Evans was at all times an example for good living to the people of the community. In his profession his integrity was regarded with the highest respect, while his advice was also sought and respected. The people of this district have suffered a loss in his passing. The funeral was held on Monday afternoon. A service for the family was held at the home followed by a public service in Bradford United Church. A long time friend of Mr. Evans, Rev. Dr. Manson Doyle, and a younger friend, and former minister, Rev. Dr. Harold W. Vaughan, joined the minister of the church, Rev. F. G. MacTavish, in conducting the services. Interment was in the family plot in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.The pallbearers were six grandsons, the eldest sons of the six older members of his family, namely, Dr. John Evans, Douglas Evans, Thomas M. Evans, Thomas E. Evans, George Jackson, and Donald Evans.

Event Date : Thursday, May 21, 1953
Event Type : Death

Description : The knowledge that Mrs. Gordon S. Faris was so seriously ill that hope was not extended for her recovery was only exceeded in sorrow and sympathy among the members of her family and her friends, by her passing at Deep River Hospital on Thursday, May 21. Mrs. Faris had been moved to the nearby hospital a few weeks before her death. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Moore of Queensville, as Kathleen Moore she taught in the High Schools of Penetanguishene and Aurora, and later, when teaching on Barrie Collegiate staff, she met and married Gordon S. Faris about sixteen years ago, while the latter was employed at the Eugenia Power Plant of the Ontario Hydro Commission. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Barrie and from there to Brampton where Mr. Faris was superintendent and where they resided for a number of years. From Brampton they were transferred to Toronto and later to Des Joachims, when Mr. Faris was made the first superintendent of that plant. Mrs. Faris made a full share of contribution to Mr. Faris' successful career, a success which resulted from his ability and conscientious fulfilment of duty. Equally conscientious, and amply qualified by virtue of her ability and educational training, Mrs. Faris was a willing, energetic and capable leader in all deserving projects in the communities in which they resided. Her most devoted energy was given in the interests of her church and especially in its missionary work. While residing in Brampton she was much in demand as a speaker at W.M.S., W.A. and farm group meetings. To the new settlement of Rolphton, at the Des Joachims plant, she took this enthusiasm and unselfish willingness to serve. She loved the life in that new village and an indication of her interests there was recorded in these columns two weeks ago in the story of the opening of the Rolphton Community Church.Mrs. Faris is survived by her husband, Gordon S. Faris of Rolphton (formerly of Maple Farm, Scotch Settlement), and their two children, Mary Lou, 13, and Paul, 11; one sister, Mrs. Sydney Thompson (Irene) of Queensville; and one brother, J. Dan Moore, of Georgetown. In their great loss the bereaved family have the sincerest sympathy of a wide circle of friends.The funeral was held on Monday afternoon from the Strasler Funeral Home, Queensville, and interment was in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bradford. The services were conducted by Rev. E. Warren of Queensville, assisted by Rev. Hugh Shannon of Hawkstone and formerly of Queensville who is a personal friend of Mr. and Mrs. Faris, and by Rev. E. C. McLarnon of Bradford. The pallbearers were four friends, Ronald Sennett, William Burkholder and Terry Doane of Queensville, and William Hillaby of Newmarket; and two cousins, Morley Bedford and Sydney Gourlay of Toronto.

Event Date : Sunday, December 29, 1946
Event Type : Death

Description : Wife of Major Albert S. Gray and mother of A. Edgar Gray died in her Toronto home. She was born in West Gwillimbury to Ruben and Mrs Tindall of Bradford and taught at Bradford High School. Interment in Park Lawn cemetery.Additional information in The Bradford Witness, January 8, 1947 page 5.