Event Date : Friday, February 12, 1954
Event Type : Death

Description : One of the district's most elderly, well known, and highly respected residents, Mr. John Henry Lee, passed away on Friday, February 12. About a year ago his health began to fail. He spent six weeks in Southampton hospital where expert medical opinion was sought. In September he returned to Bradford where, at the home of his son, Mr. Seward Lee, he was cared for through a long illness by his granddaughter, Miss Charlotte Lee, while his family and his old friends came and went. The week before his death he was removed to Newmarket hospital where he passed away in his sleep early Friday morning. Born almost 93 years ago on Lot 3, Concession 11, West Gwillimbury, a son of Samuel Lee, who was also born on the same farm, and of Alice Burns of Mount Pleasant corner, who was of Scotch descent from Nova Scotia, John Lee was the third generation of Lee on that farm, his Irish grandfather having come from County Derry to settle there. In 1887 he married the late Charlotte Hodgson and they took up residence on the 12th concession of West Gwillimbury. With their family of nine they resided there until 1916 when they moved to the farm north of Bradford where their son, Seward Lee, now resides. In 1928, when their son married, Mr. and Mrs. Lee moved to Bradford. In 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Lee celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a complete family circle. Three years later, in 1940, after Mrs. Lee's death, he returned to make his home on the farm where he was a favourite with old and young alike, remaining mentally keen to the last. For 74 years the late Mr. Lee was a member of L.O.L. No. 209, Newton Robinson, and during that long period of years he never missed an Orangemen's walk. He was also a member of the Black Preceptory. He had been at times District Master and County Master of the Orange Lodge. Several decades ago he was associated with the public life of the township and county. He and his family were also a vital part of the little Anglican Church at Pinkerton for many years. Orangeman Conservative and Anglican to these three convictions he remained staunch. Mr. Lee is survived by one son Seward of Bradford; eight daughters Mrs. Thos. Brown (Flossie) of Bradford; Mrs. R. Watt (Minnie) of Raymore Sask.; Mrs. J. Fraser (Luella) of Port Elgin Ont.; Mrs. E. Fennell (Isabelle) of Bradford; Mrs. J. Hamilton (Christine) of Ormond Florida; Mrs. P. Haller (Mina) of Ann Arbor Mich.; Mrs. Morrow (Clara) of Murillo Ont.; Mrs. K. Jack (Henrietta) of Clarkson Ont.; 28 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; and one brother Christopher Lee of Bradford. A brother Sam and sisters Misses Jennie and Agnes predeceased him during recent years. All members of his family were here for his funeral with the exception of Mrs. Watt who visited her father last fall. The funeral service was taken by his rector Rev. W. Johnson on Monday afternoon and interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery. The pallbearers were members of L.O.L. No 209 namely John Robinson, Robt. Webber, John Parks, Ben Steers, and D. K. Harvey.

Event Date : Thursday, April 24, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Fred Cook, a man who for many years was a social and political influence in Bradford, died last Thursday in York County Hospital at 73. Mr. Cook was admitted to the hospital April 6 suffering from a heart attack. Funeral services were held in Trinity Anglican Church, Bradford, on Monday afternoon with the Rector, Rev. Jack House and Bishop Hunt, a lifelong friend of Mr. Cook, conducting the service. Hundreds of friends and associates gathered in the little church on Church St. that Fred Cook served so well. Mayor Joe Magani led a delegation of members of council and the town administrative staff. Many officials representing the various surrounding municipalities also attended the special funeral service.Reeve William Gibbins of Innisfil and Simcoe County Warden Edgar Currie and Reeve Orville Hughes of West Gwillimbury attended along with municipal, church and fraternal officials. Pallbearers included George Allison, Bradford Fire Chief Ted Gapp, Chief Constable John Dudgeon, Building Inspector Bert Magloughlen, Deputy Reeve Ken Wood and Ruston Folliott. Interment was in St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill.During his 73 years, Fred Cook's life revolved around the town of his birth, Bradford.He was actively engaged in municipal politics and for more than 10 years served as the town's deputy reeve and representative on county council. In last year's election he decided to step down from the deputy reeve's chair. However, Mr. Cook did not leave the political scene and was successful in his bid to gain a council seat.Outside politics Fred Cook immersed himself in a number of community and social organizations. He was a lay reader in the Anglican Church from 1934 until his death and was involved in Christian education serving as Sunday School Superintendent for more than 45 years. In 1962 he received a citation from the Canadian Council of Churches' education department for his outstanding work. He was also a member of the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Mr. Cook was a member of the Simcoe Lodge #79 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. At the time of his death he had achieved the 32nd Degree of the brotherhood. In his service to that organization, Mr. Cook served as district deputy grand master of the A.F. and A.M.'s district C". Mr. Cook also served at a grand master of the Orange Lodge for Ontario West and was a faithful member of Centennial Lodge LOL 209. Until 1957 Mr. Cook operated an insurance business in Bradford. Fred Cook is survived by his wife Leone, one sister Reta (Mrs. T. Gardner) of Bradford and one brother John of Windsor. Bradford Mayor Joe Magani commented on Mr. Cook's death saying: "It would take me hours to talk about Fred Cook. He will be very much missed on council. To me he was a real man and always a real gentleman on council. I served with him on council for 18 years and he was a great worker for the public and for the town. He did everything he could to satisfy the ratepayers at all times. He did a good job in finance. If ever I got stuck for words I could always turn to him for help."The mayor added: "He was a very beautiful man. It will take a long time to find another one like him."