Janet Eldridge

A resident of Morrisburg for the past 24 years, Kenneth Gordon Strader passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Monday, October 15, 2012. He was 82.     

Ken was born April 26, 1930, to Grace and Dwight Strader, on the original Strader farm in Dundela. He was the eldest of nine children; five girls and four boys. Everyone knew him as Ken. He was a long-standing resident of Matilda Township, having lived briefly in Florida, before returning to South Dundas. 

Ken met his share of challenges in life. He suffered complications at birth; however, it did not prevent him from accomplishing what he set out to do in life.

Being the risk taker that he was and never afraid of taking on a challenge Ken undertook many projects. The first being to own and operate his first school bus in 1954, which he later expanded to include several school buses and highway coaches. 

He was forever envisioning ways to get ahead in life. The bus lines didn’t seem to capture his energy level enough, so he added a new venture being the “Stra-Dish” Restaurant, which he opened in April, 1958, at the young age of 28. 

During this time, he met the love of his life, Linda Marie Payne. They were married at Elma in 1959, and in 1960, their daughter Penny was born. 

While carrying out his role as a husband and father, Ken still found time to own/operate several businesses, including a snowmobile franchise, Admiral appliance dealership, a used car dealership, and he even dabbled in real estate. 

Ken always had a passion to live life in the sunny south so in the late 70’s he made that dream come true when he sold his businesses in Canada and moved the family to Dade City, Florida where he purchased an orange grove and later opened a coffee shop. He expanded the coffee shop to become a full menu diner which was family owned and operated until 1987, at which it was dissolved and the family returned to Canada.

Ken enjoyed carpentry and sitting and drinking coffee with family and friends, until the wee hours of the morning. 

Friday night was family night at the Daffodil Restaurant in Iroquois, after which he would settle in at Cephus Sypes’ kitchen table for many hours of attempting to solve the world’s problems over several pots of coffee. Ken was known to pull in a driveway for a visit where ever he could find the kitchen light on.

Ken often spoke of things from the past; old buildings, antique cars or furniture, or attending auction sales with his grandmother Nettie Bell Strader. 

His most prized possession was an RCA Victrola from the 1920’s that he purchased at the age of 15, with money borrowed from his grandmother. Ken’s daughter is still the proud owner of that Victrola.

Ken was always willing to share his knowledge of history, politics, and life in general. He was never afraid to share his opinion on any matter, regardless of whom he offended.

He will be remembered most for his natural spirit of giving. To his family and friends, he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple. He never asked anyone for help, but he was a very generous man…never wanting to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped out of the kindness of his heart; ensuring that everyone had a means to get ahead in life.

Ken made sure that his daughter never lacked for anything, however, he ruled with an iron fist. He encouraged Penny to try different things in life including piano lessons, singing in the church choir, and most of all becoming a “lady”. As a father, he didn’t always agree with all his daughter’s choices in life, but he was always there to support her.

Growing up on a farm, Ken was very fond of animals. After Linda passed away in 1988, Ken’s best friend was his cat “Buster”. Buster held a special place in his heart and Ken truly enjoyed his companionship.

Ken is survived by his daughter Penny Strader-McMillan (Jim) of Iroquois, his siblings Edna Disheau (Arthur Jackson) of Brechin, Lorna (Ernie) Lascelle of Inkerman and Willie (Audrey) of Cardinal.  

He was predeceased by his wife Linda, his brothers Glen and John and sisters Jean Jensen, Margaret Barkley and Anna Casselman-Nicolier.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. 

Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Thursday, October 18th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.  Cremation  followed.

Pallbearers were Shawn McMillan, Steven McMillan, Cephus Sypes, Guy Hart, Gary Hart and Keith  Beckstead.  

Interment of cremated remains was at Dundela Cemetery.  Donations to the O.S.P.C.A. would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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It is with much sadness that his family announces the death of Charles Toupin of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg, who passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at the age of 65 years.  

Charlie will be sadly missed by his wife Christine Munro Toupin, his children Tracey Myers (Bill) of Cardinal, Leslie Terry (Paul) of Belleville, Julie Peck of Nova Scotia and Christian Heaton of Kanata.

Charles was loving Grandpa of Brittney Myers, Billy Myers, Auston Wickware, Sedona Terry, James Peck and Patrick Peck.

Raised in Cardinal, Charlie is the beloved son of Lorna Toupin of Cardinal and the late Charles Toupin Sr.  

He was dear brother of Rick Toupin (Brenda) of Nova Scotia and Ivan Toupin (Nancy) of Cardinal. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Charlie was predeceased by his daughter Tammy Toupin Wickware, his son Andrew Heaton, his sister Mary Lafontaine and his brother Peter Arthur Toupin.

 Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Cardinal, on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.. The service was conducted by Rev. Bruce Thompson.  

Interment of cremated remains followed at St. John’s Riverside Cemetery in Cardinal.  

Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. 

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George Holder passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5 2014.

George was born in Montreal, and moved to Ontario, when he was 10 years old. He lived in Aultsville, until he married Patricia in 1956, and together they lived at Farran’s Point.  They were married 57 years. 

As a young man, George operated the snack bar at the Farran’s Point Pavilion above the Farran’s Point Locks. He later worked on the Great Lake ship, “The Mondoc”.  Following that, George worked for the Department of Highways He was also employed by the Department of Transport as a Lockman on the Farran’s Point Lock.

During the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway, George and Patricia’s home was moved from Farran’s Point to Ingleside, where they lived for a few years. In 1958, they moved to Bowmanville where they were in the chicken/egg business.  

Their son, Shawn was born in Bowmanville and baptized in the Anglican Church where George was a member. Their daughter Coleen and son Kent were born in Winchester.

After a few years in Bowmanville, George and Patricia moved to Iroquois, where they continued their poultry business. Eventually George found employment at Caldwell Linen Mills. While working at Caldwell’s, George was President of the United Mine Workers and then President of the United Textile Workers.

In his youth, George played minor hockey for Morrisburg.  He was affiliated with the Aultsville Jets softball team. He later coached the Iroquois Women’s and Men’s softball teams. 

George was an excellent swimmer, and he enjoyed swimming at the Aultsville Dock.

After George had his leg amputated, Patricia encouraged him to lace up the skates, and he was still able to go skating and do forward crosscuts.  The entire family went public skating at the Morrisburg arena.  Patricia also taught George to jitter bug with an artificial leg.

George was an avid sports fan, and he loved the Montreal Canadiens, the Expos and the Alouettes. The entire Holder family went to a few Grey Cup games, one in Montreal and one in Ottawa and had a great time.  Attending baseball games at the Olympic stadium and watching the Canadiens play at the Montreal forum while we were on the catwalk, were memorable times that we all think about to this day.

George was a wonderful family man, and he travelled with the family on numerous trips to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to the car shows.  He also went down south with the family looking for classic cars.  

George loved to sing, and he sang in the Aultsville Anglican church choir for a number of years with his mother, aunt and cousin. He also loved animals, especially dogs, and enjoyed watching, through the window, the birds at the bird feeder.

We will all miss George and his easy-going personality. He was a genuine person and a friend to many.

George is survived by his wife Patricia, his children, Shawn (Heather) of Ingleside, Coleen and Kent of Iroquois.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Wednesday, January 8th from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday, January 9th, from 1 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. The service was conducted by Reverend Janet Evans. Robert Thompson sang eloquently. Spring interment will be at the Iroquois Point cemetery.

Donations to Iroquois United Church or the South Dundas Animal Shelter would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

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