Elsie Helen Gauthier

A resident of the Park Drive Villa in Williamsburg, for the past year, Bill Tait passed away at the Carefor Hospice in Cornwall, on Thursday, October 9, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 82.

Bill was born in Scott Township, Ontario, on September 11, 1932, to his parents Morris and Evelyn Tait (nee Carnegie).

On November 25, 1950, he married his longtime sweetheart Dorothy Cummings at her parents’ home in Uxbridge, Ontario.  Together they had three daughters, Lynne, Cathy and Clara.

Bill and Dorothy raised their family in Toronto, where Bill worked as a labourer and maintained equipment at Canada Packers.

In 1967, they moved their family back to their home town of Zephyr, where Dorothy retired from her job and started raising veal calves while Bill continued to commute to Toronto.

In 1973, Bill and Dorothy decided to make farming a full-time career so they packed up their family once more and moved all of their animals and equipment to the farm on Barkley Road in Williamsburg Township. 

There they ran a successful dairy operation for 16 years even through the hardship of losing their home in a devastating house fire in 1991.

Bill and Dorothy belonged to the Old Time Fiddlers, and they attended weekly dances without fail regardless of how tired they were or the weather conditions. They made numerous life-long friends.

Upon retirement, Bill and Dorothy took up their passion for travel. They hitched up their 5th wheel trailer and toured all through Canada going in all four directions, and to parts of the U.S.

Bill loved to play cards with his family, and he taught all of his girls how to count by showing them how to play cribbage. Many hours were passed playing Canasta and Rummy with his family. 

In his leisure time, Bill loved being in his workshop where he built and constructed furniture, toys and lawn ornaments.  His lawn was always adorned with seasonal decorations much to the delight of his grandchildren. 

Bill is survived by his daughters Lynne Casselman (Graham) of R.R.# 1 Williamsburg, Cathy Tupper (Philip) of Boucks Hill and Clara Erdman (Blair Cooper) of Orleans, and by his sister Lorna Mills (Henry) of Cannington. 

Bill will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Adele, James, Wendy, Adam, Chad, Leslie, Courtney, Ryan, Christian and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.  

He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, his brother Austin and his sisters Wilda Sinclair and Aldeen Esau.     

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11 a.m.. The service was conducted by Rev. Janet Evans.  Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville. 

Pallbearers were James Garlough, Chad Garlough, Ryan Casselman, Adam Erdman, Christian Cooper and Dan Ramer.  

Honorary pallbearers were Courtney Garlough, Leslie Erdman, Wendy Casselman and Adele Cowan.  

Donations to the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. 

[…]

Discover more from Morrisburg Leader Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe

A lifetime resident of the area, Sterling Kelly passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 16, 2013. He was 77.

Sterling was born in Farran’s Point, on April 23, 1935, the eldest of eight children born to his parents William and Carrie Kelly (nee Sheets).  He was an obedient and helpful son and dearly loved by all his siblings.  

At age 19, he met Edna Beaupre and in June of 1959, they were married. Edna remained his companion and devoted wife for the next 53 years.

The next chapter of Sterling’s life was his greatest joy, the arrival of his cherished baby girl Carol-Ann. He adored her, and he embraced his role as a father with pride with his little girl often by his side.

Carol-Ann brought so much joy to his life and through her  he gained his designated driver and sidekick Rambo (Carol-Ann’s husband Steve).  

Steve and Carol-Ann then provided Sterling with two grandchildren and these kids completed his life. They were the two most precious jewels in his crown. He was so proud of them both. His legacy will surely live on through his devotion to them and their memory of him.  

Sterling began working with the Village of Morrisburg crew in 1966, on the garbage truck, and he eventually learned to operate a backhoe.  He was usually way ahead of what others were thinking, already planning a solution to problems or situations in need of an intervention.   

He worked for the township for the 40 years, and he was well liked and respected by his fellow employees.   

Sterling was also very good to his nieces and nephews who all knew if they were hanging out with Uncle Sterling, they were going to have fun whether it involved going to the movies, getting their bike fixed,  going fishing or just getting an ice cream. 

To the younger great-nieces and nephews who lived nearby he was affectionately known as “Grandpa Candy” because he always provided the children with candy.  

Sterling will be remembered as a man who had a bright and radiant spirit, a great sense of humour and a sincere ability to light up a room.

He enjoyed having a Labatt’s 50, and he was always full of enthusiasm–ready and willing to lend a hand.  He was clever, yet humble. 

Able to fix almost anything, from lawn mowers to plumbing disasters, Sterling would go to the rescue of anyone in crisis. He would offer wise counsel or just sit and listen–he seemed to know just what to do or say.  

Regardless of his attire; coat and hat or slippers and suspenders, Sterling could converse in any social circle, and he offered his input with charm and ease.

Sterling is survived by his wife Edna, his daughter Carol (Steve) Skerry of Morrisburg, his grandchildren Justin and Katie and his siblings Earl (Rose) of Simcoe, Ed (Roseann) of Morrisburg, Dale (Pat) of Morrisburg, Betty (Lloyd) McMillan of Iroquois and Wayne (Marie) of Iroquois.

He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Carrie Kelly (nee Sheets) and his brothers Ronnie and Lee.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews.  

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

Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 20th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Sue McCullough officiating.  

Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery in Mariatown.  Pallbearers were Jeff Kelly, Travis Kelly, Tom McMillan, Troy McMillan, Colleen Merkley and Scott Carswell.

Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital or the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

[…]