Dennis R. Brown

A resident of Williamsburg for the past 63 years, Gerry Byvelds passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, April 27, 2015.  He was 86.

Gerry was born in Keldonk, The Netherlands, on April 10, 1929, one of 10 children born to his parents Johannus and Anna Byvelds (nee Vandommelen).  

He worked from an early age on the family farm, other farms, and in the bush cutting lumber.  At the age of 22 he came with brothers Bill and John to Canada, settling in New Brunswick for a while, earning money here and there and getting things started in the new country.  

They eventually followed their hearts to Ontario and found a nice farm in Boucks Hill where the rest of the family could join them. 

Gerry worked for many years as a bricklayer with his little brother Tony and brother in law Jack Van Hoof.  When he retired from bricklaying he worked as a groundskeeper at the Morrisburg Golf Course for several years.  During his time at the golf course, Gerry fine-tuned his lawn care skills for the house in Williamsburg. 

Gerry married Nolda on September 30, 1983, 32 years ago.  They soon became Opa and Oma, but for the rest of the family they were known as Uncle Gerry and Tante Nolda, and they were in charge of everything having to do with a Van Moorsel or a Byvelds.   

Gerry worked hard. His hands belong in the Smithsonian as a testament to hard work… rugged, weathered, and absent of fingerprints from the years of bricklaying.  Cuts on his hands and bruised fingernails were the norm. Vise grips were used to remove supersized slivers. There were never enough bandages in the house.   

Ever busy, Gerry was constantly working on the house and the yard.  If something was found in disrepair, it instantly called for a trip to the farm at Boucks Hill to see if there was some piece of used milking equipment that could fix it instead of the proper solution available at the store.   

Gerry genuinely enjoyed the challenge of finding creative solutions to building and fixing things.

He had an extensive collection of power tools, and not one had the cord intact, severed by its own doing. Gerry would run to the breaker panel to see why the saw stopped, and later realize that he cut through the cord.  This did not happen once.  Looking now at his tool collection, it was routine. 

In the moments between work and sleep, it was pretty much a guarantee that Gerry was in front of the TV watching sports.  

Probably 100 baseball games in the summer and 80 hockey games in winter, but also soccer, curling and football.  He would wear out his lazy boy chairs leaning over to help the home team score.  His legs would almost reach the ceiling when there was a great play developing.  

He cheered hardest for Canada in the Olympics, with The Netherlands running a distant second.

Gerry loved animals, keeping the local cats and bunnies fed and comfortable in re-purposed calf hutches and feeders.  Family pets could count on him for treats from the table, a ball to throw and a lap to lay on.    

For many of his later years, he loved to bike around the county, typically to his brothers’ farms in Boucks Hill, Chesterville and Brinston. 

As enjoyable as this was in the moment, it likely also made him feel like a young boy back in the Old Country. 

He adored his family and took great pride in his grandchildren and more recently his four great -grandchildren.  Nothing got him out of his lazy boy faster than the arrival of a young family member. 

All along, Gerry held Nolda high on a pedestal, doing everything he could to make sure she was comfortable and happy. Furniture, flower beds, whatever. 

Gerry and Nolda also enjoyed playing cards together and bowling with their friends at the Chesterville Lanes.  He was also blessed to have great neighbours always looking out for him. 

Gerry always had cool cars and was everyone’s cool uncle. He will be sadly missed. 

Gerry is survived by his wife Nolda; his stepchildren Pat (Christie) of Williamsburg, Margie Byvelds (Pete Wilson) of Listowel, Reta Byvelds of Stratford and Ed (Catherine) of San Francisco; his siblings his twin brother Martin (Johanna) of Boucks Hill, John A. (Toni) of Williamsburg, Anthony (Corrie) of Williamsburg, Toni Van Hoof of  Morrisburg, and Catherine Van Moorsel of Williamsburg.

Opa will be fondly remembered by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

He was predeceased by his brothers Arnold, Albert, Bill and Johannus.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.   

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Morrisburg, on Friday, May 1st at 11:30 a.m., with Father Chisholm officiating.   Interment followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Morrisburg.  

Pallbearers were his nephews Peter Byvelds, Steven Byvelds, John Byvelds, Robert Byvelds, Mike Byvelds, David Van Moorsel, Jeff Van Moorsel and Donald Van Hoof.  

Donations to Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  

Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.  

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic passing on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, of Peter John Rémillard. 

Peter was the loved husband of Patricia of Morrisburg and the devoted father of Liam of Kingston.  He was the dear brother of Richard (Alexandra) of Ottawa and Kathleen (Gary) Broadhurst of Knowlton, QC., and  the cherished brother-in-law of Nancy Boucher (Raymond Conley) of Toronto and George (late Kathleen) Gamble of Guelph. 

He will be sadly missed by nieces Melissa, Kelly, Meghan, Kristen, Caroline and nephews James, Evan, Nicolas and Patrick.  He is survived by his father Romeo of Montreal and was predeceased by his mother Margaret (nee Paisley).  

Peter Rémillard graduated from McGill University in 1977, with a Bachelor of Civil and Common Law.  Peter was fluent in English, French and German, with the latter language honed overseas on student work exchanges.  

After articling with the Toronto Law Firm of Holden Murdock in 1978, he was first called to the Ontario Bar in 1979, and then later called to the Barreau du Quebec / Quebec Bar in 1983.

Peter joined the law firm of Gorrell and Grenkie in Morrisburg, Cardinal, and Ingleside, Ontario, in 1980, and became partner in the firm in 1983.  Although he grew up in a big city (Montréal), Peter really embraced small town life, which is what attracted him to Morrisburg in the first place.

His practice focused on corporate, commercial (farm), tax, real estate, and estate planning.  The firm expanded into the Chesterville area with the acquisition of Cass Grenkie Rémillard in 1990.  To enhance the service offerings for his clients, Peter completed the Certified Financial Planning Program and was awarded the CFP designation in 1999. 

Peter had significant community involvement, which included the Canadian Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, local Business Improvement Area Association, Municipal Council, St. Mary’s Parent Council, Upper Canada Playhouse, and the Winchester Hospital Foundation. 

However, there was one specific community organization that became a passion and a way of life. Peter, a devoted family man, started with Therien Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing in 2001 with his son Liam, because of his interest in the Martial Arts.  Although his sports interests began with  marathon running, Peter started training jiu-jitsu with Liam. He was then joined by his wife Pat, making martial arts, kickboxing, a family activity. 

Martial Arts became integral to Peter’s work-life balance, providing relaxation, socialization, and the mental and physical challenge he sought. 

After receiving his Brown Belt, Liam put his training on pause to attend university: however Peter continued on with Jiu-Jitsu and Kick boxing.  In spite of physical challenges associated with recent ankle and knee surgeries, resulting from earlier marathon running injuries, Peter established a goal to work towards earning his Black Belt. 

In 2011, at the age of 59, Peter endured a five-hour test and successfully earned his Black Belt. The Black Belt achievement, a significant one, is associated with achieving excellence, something Peter strived for in everything he did.

Peter then went on to successfully complete the Can Ryu Jiu-Jitsu Teaching Program and became a Sensei. 

Sensei Peter was a respected teacher and positive motivator taking great pride in other people’s accomplishments. He referred to the club as a second family, and he was much loved by all members of the dojo. 

Sensei Peter was instrumental in initiating a new Executive Program enabling a more mature crowd to learn the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu and of self-defence. On and off the mat, Sensei Peter was the most selfless, enthusiastic and genuine person you could ever hope to meet.  He will always remain a part of the Therien Jiu-Jitsu Chesterville Family. 

Fundamentally, Peter was a world class people person. He relished being with family and friends, and working with business partners and clients in helping them solve problems. He was always there for everyone.

Of course, if you know him, you knew that he was usually 15 to 30 minutes late, because he would talk to people, and people confided in him. No one minded, because everyone knew what was holding him up, and that he would take all the time in the world needed to help everyone through the rough spots.

In one way or another, Peter was always looking after others. It is now Peter’s turn to be looked after. Forever rest in sweet and blissful peace. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Parker Funeral Home in Morrisburg. Condolences may be left at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com.

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A resident of the Garden Villa in Chesterville for the past two years, Pat Dillabough passed away there peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, with her daughters by her side. She was 90.

Pat was born in Finch Township, on January 8, 1924, to Hugh and  Jennie McMillan. She was the baby sister of Mildred and Edith and grew up in the Goldfield area. 

After graduating from high school in Finch, she worked at the BMO in Montreal staying with her older sister Mildred and her husband Ossie. Later she stayed with Ada Rupert and worked at the BMO in Finch. 

It was during this time that she met Ada’s brother Harold Winters, and they were married in 1943.  A busy life followed on the farm in Sandtown with chores to do and the raising of three children, Billy, Carol and Marjorie.

Pat’s sisters were important to her and they had many fun times together, including a few trips.  Pat loved to laugh and welcomed a good story or joke which she would retell for the enjoyment of others . 

She was active in her church and community, and helped out where she could.  As a member of the United Church in Finch, she led the CGIT Group and was active in the UCW. Later when living in Morewood, she was president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Winchester Hospital and was a member of the Eastern Star Lodge in Morrisburg. 

Family was Pat’s number one priority. Many delicious and enjoyable meals were shared with family and friends. Her patience candy at Christmas will definitely be a memory because no else can seem to get it right.

Being born in 1924, Pat had the opportunity to live through many world events. She saw many new innovations, and she managed to keep up with technology pretty well.  

However, living to be 90 years old does not come without some challenges and Pat was no exception. The passing of her husband Harold early in their marriage and Ron a few years ago as well as losing her son at an early age were difficult times. She demonstrated great strength of character which she gathered from her faith and loving family and friends. 

Pat is survived by her daughters Carol McElheran (Stirling) of Morewood and Marjorie Walsh (Jeff Allen) of Scarborough and her daughter-in-law Joanne Knol (John) of Ore-Medonte.

Pat will be fondly remembered by seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  

She was predeceased by her husbands Harold Winters and Ron Dillabough, her son Bill Winters and her sisters Mildred Higgs and Edith Fulton.  

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Chesterville, on Monday, August 18th from 11 a.m. until time of the Memorial Service at 1 p.m. The service was conducted by Rev. Lois Gaudet. Following the service a reception was held at the Garden Villa from 2-4 p.m.  Interment of cremated remains was at Sandtown Cemetery. 

Pallbearers were Michael Winters, Kevin Winters, Brent McElheran and Derek McElheran. 

Donations to Winchester Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. Pat’s family is grateful to the Garden Villa staff, St. Elizabeth and Bayshore Nursing and the CCAC for their kindness and wonderful care.

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