Obituaries

A life time resident of the Brinston area, Jean Wickwire passed away suddenly on Sunday Sept. 18, 2011.

Jean was born in Dixon’s Corners on December 18, 1945, to her parents Pringle and Greta Murphy (nee Burton).

As a young girl she spent some time in the family cheese factory wrapping butter, sliding from the snow piled near the roof against the rink shack at Johnston’s, swimming in a nearby creek and later at Fetterly’s quarry in Iroquois.

She attended public school in Dixon Corner’s and high school in Iroquois. Following high school, Jean worked for RCA in Prescott.

On December 18, 1965, Jean married Urcyl Wickwire of Brinston. They had two children.

Jean continued to work for RCA for a few years after her second child was born, but due to health reasons left the company.  Jean baby sat other children for a short while until she gained employment with the Caldwell Linen Mill. She remained with the company until it closed its doors in 2006.

Jean enjoyed a life long love for reading anything that was printed, and she also enjoyed snowmobile runs on Saturday nights to Chesterville or Sunday afternoon runs on the Nation River with Urcyl.

In the spring it was time to fish for mud pout with her children.  Later on she would watch her grandkids fish from the same bridge that she herself had caught an eel from.

She enjoyed skating “around the block” with her niece and nephews on the creek once it was frozen, and then a heated game of Aggravation with Ken and Ida.

As her children grew older, the pastimes changed from snowmobiling, go-carts and motorcycles, which she had purchased with her son, then it was on the river with the wave runners.

Jean enjoyed gardening and each season preserved pickles, tomatoes, and chili sauce.  At one time she tried her hand at making wine and discovered it wasn’t a good idea to store her new product in a certain type of bottle.  

She grew her own summer savory and laughed the first time it was placed on the clothes line to dry.  She always said “the stuff you buy in the store isn’t the same.”

Jean looked forward to the Murphy family gatherings, where brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews could be visited and it was always a good spot to try out a new recipe whether it was one of her own or someone else’s.

When her children visited they would have to try the latest recipe she had made from either her favorite cooking magazines or her collection of cook books.

Jean also enjoyed having the neighbors Robbie and Ricky over for holidays so they could rave about her dressing made from her own summer savory, and her pie making skills. Robbie would always ask; “do your kids have the same passion for cooking as you do.”

The answer is “yes we do” and we thank you for that Mom.

Jean is survived by her husband Urcyl and her children Wendy (Tim) Murphy RR#1 Iroquois and Tom (Rose) Wickwire of Brinston.

She will be lovingly remembered by her siblings Garry (Della) Murphy of RR#1 Iroquois, Gale (Doug) Reynolds of Iroquois, Allan (Phyllis) Murphy of Dixon’s Corners, Wilda (Adriaan) Vandeemheen of Dixon’s Corners, Aden (Linda) Murphy of Williamsburg, Nancy (Guy) Croteau of Iroquois, and Edward Murphy of Winchester.

Jean will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Michelle and Jarret Murphy and Amelia, Daniel, Camille and Benjamin Wickwire.  

She was predeceased by her parents Pringle and Greta Murphy (nee Burton) and an infant sister Ruth Ann.

She also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois on Tuesday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Funeral service was held at the home on Wednesday, September 21st at 11 am, with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.

Interment followed at the Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston.

Pallbearers were Daniel Wickwire, Jarret Murphy, Todd Croteau, Nick Croteau, Dennis Wylie and Jim Murphy.

Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

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A resident of Fairview Lodge in Whitby, for the past eight years, Eileen Gibson passed away there on Friday, September 9, 2011. She was 95.

Eileen was born in Mountain, on September 14, 1915, to her parents Sandy and Margaret Workman (nee Christie).

She grew up on the family farm in Heckston. At the age of 13, Eileen’s mother passed away, and she stayed home to care for her brothers and sisters.

In 1935, she married Thomas Gibson and started her family–Lillian, Sandy, Floyd, Rita and Dennis. Eileen was a stay at home mother.

The family moved to Oshawa in the 1950’s, and later she moved to Niagara Falls. Eileen loved to visit her neighbours and often baked treats for everyone.

She worked well into her 70’s doing housework and cooking meals for her clients. At 70, still very strong and energetic, she obtained her passport and travelled to England for a three-week visit with friends she had written to for many years.

Eileen was a very active member of her church. Her faith and God were a very important part of her life, and she enjoyed reading her bible daily.

Eileen’s life has been 95 years, well lived…her family, friends and her love of God, her treasures.

Eileen is survived by her children Thomas “Sandy” Gibson (Verna) of RR#2 Iroquois, Rita Jordan (Earl) of Oshawa and Dennis Gibson (Roly) of Oshawa, by her son-in-law James Kaczmarek (Lillian) of St. Catharines and her daughter-in-law Shirley Gibson (Floyd) of Iroquois. She was dear sister-in-law of Doreen Workman (Donald) of Prescott, Martha Workman (Lloyd) of Kemptville and Lorraine Workman (Lyall) of Kemptville.

Eileen will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren Karl Kaczmarek, Cathy Gibson (Neil Huffman), Shelley Byers (James), Carl Gibson (Bonnie), Glen Easter,  Graydon, Logan and by her great-grandchildrenWilliam and Maddie Huffman, Stacey (Jon) Pergunas, Melissa Gibson and by her great-great-grandchildren Maleigh and Gavin Pergunas.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas, her daughter Lillian Kaczmarek, her son Floyd Gibson, her sisters Yvonne Baldwin and Lois Dolan and by her brothers Donald, Lloyd, Howard, and Lyall Workman.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

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Alan Bedggood Chanter, of Crysler Ontario, passed away peacefully, at Brockville General Hospital, Ontario on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011. He was born in 1924.  He will be sorely missed.  

Alan was the loved father of David (wife Patricia) St. Aurelie, Quebec, Barbara (husband Joe) Niagara Falls, Ontario and Christine of Toronto, Ontario

He was dear brother of Dawne Franklyn of Morrisburg and cherished grandfather to five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

Alan was dear uncle to Susan, Doug and Melanie Peters, Iroquois; Mark, (Krista and Tyson) Peters, Brockville; and Richard, Tricia and Ashley Parvin, Texas.  

He was predeceased by parents, Phylis and Charles and brother, Derek of England.  

Alan was born in Cardiff, Wales, and raised in Horsham, Sussex, England. After serving in the RAF during WWII, he moved to Canada in 1951.  

Alan wore many hats, in his professional career, from draftsman to inventor.  He was an avid fisherman, camper, reader and lover of gadgets.

He served his community in many ways, including volunteering with Naomi House.  He was also known for keeping politicians on their toes, with his letter writing.  Most of all, he will be remembered for his compassionate nature, generosity of spirit and love of family.  

A memorial service for Alan will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 25th at the Brownlee Funeral Home,  at 18 Front St. in Finch, Ontario. The service will be followed by refreshments at the Legion, 91 on Highway 43, Finch, Ontario.

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A lifetime resident of Toyes Hill, John “Jake” Hunter passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.  He was 68.
John was born in Toyes Hill on April 2, 1943, to his parents Joseph and Marguerite Hunter (nee Marcellus). He was raised on the family farm along with his 10 brothers and sisters.  

Jake, as he was called by many of his family and friends, was a gentle man and a man of few words, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
John never married.  He was content with his life.  The reason he gave for not getting married was simple, “the women he wanted wouldn’t have him, and the women that wanted him, the devil wouldn’t have”.

John worked as a labourer all of his life.  He loved sports, fishing and gardening.  

The last few years he enjoyed four-wheeling either at home in the bush or at the cottage with his friend “Vic”.  John was never alone.  His friend “Gangster”, the dog, followed him where ever he went.  

John was a good cook and could make a mean pot of home made soup.  He opened the cupboard, threw in a handful of this and a bit of that, and it always turned out well.

The last few years, with his partners Lawrence, Joe, Wayne and Terry, they made home made relishes, pickles and tomato juice which they shared with the rest of the family.

John looked forward to going to the race track and the casino along with his brothers. He also enjoyed gathering at Wayne’s for the family and friend barbecues and at Joe’s every spring for a fish fry.

He was a very special uncle to his many nieces and nephews and he enjoyed playing jokes on people.

John had his little home away from home which was a little shack that all the brothers built out in the bush.  They would gather there to play a few games of cards and eat the occasional turkey supper.  

Jake is survived by his siblings June Picard of Toyes Hill, Barbara (Terry) Duff of Newington, Lawrence “Catfish” Hunter of Brinston, Linda (Mike) Brannen of Chesterville, Joe Hunter of Winchester Springs, Wayne (Liz) of Toyes Hill and Judy Hunter (Andy Tibben) of Brinston.  He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Marguerite Hunter (nee Marcellus), his sister Betty Watson and his brothers William and Robert. 

Jake will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends throughout the area.     

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday from 5-9 p.m.  A Graveside inurnment service was held at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville, on Saturday, September 10th at 11 a.m.  Pallbearers were June Picard, Barbara Duff, Linda Brannen and Judy Hunter.  Honorary pallbearers were Liz Hunter and Victor Brooks.

Donations to Winchester Hospital would be appreciated by the family.

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A resident of Woodland Villa Nursing Home, Long Sault, for the past 7.5 years, Ross Collison passed away there on Sunday, September 4, 2011. He was 91.

Ross was born in Iroquois, on May 22, 1920, to his parents Samuel and Isophene Collison (nee Barkley). He lived his entire life on the broken second.

Ross will be fondly remembered for his love of bicycling and the fact that he loved to buy and sell watches.

Ross is survived by his sister-in-law Myrtle Collison of R.R.# 2 Iroquois and by nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  He was predeceased by a sister Susan Moore and brothers Brock and Dwight.    

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m.  Funeral service was held at the funeral hHome on Thursday, September 8th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Janet Evans officiating.  Interment followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston.
Pallbearers were Billy Collison, Gary Collison, Dustin Martin, Calvin Collison, Melissa Kennedy and Amy Collison. 

Donations to Winchester Hospital would be appreciated by the family.

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A resident of the Heartwood Retirement Centre in Cornwall for the past 4.5 years, Evelyn Whitteker passed away there on Sunday, August 21, 2011.  She was 87.

Evelyn was born in Cornwall on December 27, 1923, to her parents Colin and Agnes MacMillan (nee Dennison). She was the oldest of a family of eight.  On March 30, 1945, this city girl married Ross Emerson Whitteker and settled into country life where she became the “rock”of her family.

Evelyn was an amazing women, who had many talents that she did to perfection.  
She was an accomplished seamstress, who also knitted and crocheted, and kept her family dressed in style. There was nothing she could not fix, alter, or make.  

Her artistic side led her to painting, and ceramics, and her culinary talents were unsurpassable. No one will forget her apple pie, dill pickles, and donuts. Tim Horton’s had nothing over Evelyn’s donuts!

Evelyn was involved in all aspects of farming with Ross, from baling hay and driving machinery to feeding, and milking cows. She loved animals, especially dogs and there were many but Topsy and Brandi were closest to her heart.

There was nothing that Evelyn could not do, and through all of this rural life she never lost her “city girl” touch, as she was always dressed for town, from her lipstick and earrings to her matching purse and shoes. She loved to shop, especially for jewelry and shoes. 

In the community, Evelyn was involved in everything from Women’s Institute, and ladies aid, to quilt making at the church. People from the community describe Evelyn as “beautiful”, both inside and out.

She and Ross loved to love life, this included everything from fishing, boating, dancing, playing music, snowmobiling, bowling,  card playing, reading, puzzles,  to just enjoying family fun around the campfire at the cottage on a warm summers night.

Evelyn will be remembered as a very strong woman. She had such amazing strength, and that strength came through in who she was and all she did.   Intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and physically…. she was a strong woman. That strength carried her through the long, graceful journey of her life with dignity and pride.

Evelyn is survived by her children Donnie (Susan) of Williamsburg, Gail (Bob) Godbout of Keswick, Karen Wells (Terry Henderson) of Brinston and Robbin (David) Kerr of Mountain and by her siblings Muriel Potvin of Ottawa, Mary Kerr of Ottawa, Donald (June) MacMillan of Clarence Creek and Kenny (Norma) MacMillan of Ottawa.

She will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Greg, Kristine, Cory, Colin, Robert, Jeff, Ashley, Julie-Anne, Holly, and great-grandchildren Jake, Bo, Mack, Elle, Kristin, Rachel and Raine.

She was predeceased by her husband Ross and sisters Gladys Tippins, Betty Pinkham and Helen Allen.  She 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, August 25th at 11 a.m. with Rev. Norine Gullons officiating.  Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.  

Pallbearers were grandchildren Ashley Kerr, Julie-Anne Kerr, Holly Kerr, Robert Wells, Cory Godbout and Colin Godbout.  
Donations to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or Winchester Hospital would be appreciated by the family.

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A lifetime resident of the area, Gail Kelly passed away suddenly at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.  She was 65.

Gail was born in Williamsburg, on July 19, 1946, to her parents Stuart and Ethel Saddlemire (nee Newbury) and raised on the family farms.

The first farm was located west of  Aultsville. In 1955, when everyone was being relocated during “The Seaway Project”,  the family, which consisted of Judy, Gail, Art, Marg, and Chuck, bought a farm east of Williamsburg, which is now part of “Cedar Glen Golf Course”.  Chuck was a baby then, and Stan and Paul were born in the coming years.

Gail attended school at S.S #4 East Williamsburg in her early years, then Bouck’s Hill Public, and later Morrisburg High School.

Following high school, she married Lee Kelly on June 26th, 1965.   Gail and Lee lived in the Morrisburg area, and Gail worked at  Iroquois Linen Mill,  then  in the bakery at Mr. Grocer.  

After she retired from the bakery, she cleaned a few days a week for  people in the area, where she made many more lifelong friends.  She providing baby-sitting for some of her friends, loving the kids as if they were her own.

Later Gail volunteered at the Hartford (along with her devoted dogs, first Charlie, and later  Buddy), calling Bingo numbers, and visiting with the residents.  She volunteered at the Food Bank on Monday mornings for numerous years, which added to her growing list of friends.

Gail was an animal lover and enjoyed animal shows on television.

Some of her best times were when she could have a get-together with her family and friends. She enjoyed camping at Upper Canada Campsite every weekend with Lee and her faithful pal Buddy, her baby sister Marj and brother-in-law Jack and many others who became her friends too. 

When she was home you often saw her doing crafts, and she loved making homemade bread, and keeping a spotless home.
Gail was proud of all her nieces and nephews, and excited when a new baby was welcomed to her Kelly and Saddlemire families.  She was an easy going person, and always looked for the good in people, which was why she had so many friends from all walks of life.
Gail attended St. James Anglican Church in Morrisburg with her friend Myrna quite often, and also attended other churches in the area.  
Gail, Lee and Buddy had moved recently to a home on Farlinger Ave. in Morrisburg, where she had became great friends with her neighbor Patty Bilmer and her family. She visited them regularly, often discussing CSI episodes which had been televised the night before. As she had purchased  her first computer, Patty’s boys were a great help showing her how to run the “darned thing”.   Gail loved to stop and chat with all the other neighbours she met when she walked Buddy every afternoon or evening, rain or shine.

Gail’s passing leaves another big hole in her family and her big smile will be missed by all who knew her.  Gail’s was a good life, well lived, everyone should be so loved.

We love you Gail, see you in the sunshine.  
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God can tell us why.

Gail is survived by her husband Lee, her siblings Judy Barkley of Williamsburg, Marge (Jack) Vanderveen of Williamsburg, Chuck of Williamsburg, Stan of Winchester and Paul (Jen) of Cornwall.  She was predeceased by her parents and her brother Art.  Gail is also survived by her devoted dog Buddy, and by many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.  

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Funeral service was held at the funeral home on Monday, August 22nd at 11 a.m., with Rev. Sue McCullough officiating.  

A beautiful eulogy was given by her friend and neighbour Patty.  Cremation followed.  

Donations to the Ontario SPCA would be appreciated by the family.

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