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MATTSON o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-02 published
FOSTER, Jean (MATTSON)
Suddenly at Caressant Care Nursing Home, Woodstock, on Wednesday April 30, 2008. Jean (MATTSON) formerly of Thamesford in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Gordon FOSTER (1969) and dear God-mother of Gloria Jean McKAY of Thamesford and Rory McKAY of London. Loved by a great niece Hannah-Mae and one sister-in-law Pauline MATTSON of Woodstock. Also survived by several nephews, nieces and cousins throughout Oxford county. Predeceased by 3 brothers Fred, Bill and Don and 3 sisters Irene, Margaret and Florence, and one nephew George. Friends may call at the Harland B. Betzner Funeral Home, 177 Dundas Street, Thamesford on Friday from 7-9 p.m. where Funeral Service will be held on Saturday May 3, at 1: 30 p.m. Interment Oxford Memorial Park Cemetery.

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MATTSON o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-07-12 published
FRASER, George A.
At the Woodstock General Hospital on Friday, July 11, 2008. George A. FRASER of Woodstock in his 95th year. Beloved husband of Joyce O. (née DOUGLAS/DOUGLASS) FRASER for over 59 years. Dear father of Susan CAMPBELL and her husband Del of St. George, Gary FRASER (Debbie,) Janice MATTSON and her husband Terry all of Woodstock, Donna ZALITACK and her husband David of Burlington and Alex FRASER of Woodstock. Loved grandfather of Stephanie, Graheme, Donny (Jodi,) Lana TAIT/TAITE/TATE (Tyler,) Heather GUNTER (Gordon,) Christopher MATTSON (Brittany,) Sarah and Niel ZALITACK, Leah, Christina, Laura, Kayle FRASER and great-grandfather of Noah, Danielle and Caitlin. Dear brother of Ellen VAN HORNE of Saint Thomas and Harry FRASER and his wife Win of Woodstock and is survived by his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister June MacDONALD. George was a veteran of World War 2 serving with the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corp., a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #55, Woodstock, a member of the South Gate Senior Centre, a past employee of Standard Tube and was owner/operator of Fraser Washer Sales. Friends may call at the Longworth Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock. 519-539-0004 on Sunday, July 13, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm., where the funeral service will be held in the chapel on Monday at 11: 00 a.m. Interment in the Oxford Memorial Park Cemetery. Contributions to the Woodstock General Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.longworthfuneralhome.com

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MATTUCCI o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-03-24 published
READ, Annie Edythe (formerly PARKINSON, née GROSE)
Peacefully at Saint Marys Memorial Hospital on Saturday, March 22, 2008 Annie Edythe (GROSE) READ. Beloved wife of Spence READ for 42 years and was predeceased by her first husband Raymond PARKINSON in 1963. Loving mother of Donna and husband Bill HEATHER of Exeter, Garry and wife Jane PARKINSON of Saint Marys and Wayne and wife Lynda PARKINSON of Exeter. Proud grandma of Kim HEATHER and Ronald WILLEMS, Kevin and Lori HEATHER, Karl HEATHER, Karen and Rick MATTUCCI, Randy and Bev PARKINSON, Brian and Jan PARKINSON, Lisa and Tony McEWAN, Paula and Paul GORMAN, Michelle PARKINSON and Dan KSENYCH. Proud great-grandma of Hannah, Kelsey, Jenna, Scott, Cody, Erika, Taylor, Rachael, Keri and Brian, Scott, Sam, Tori, Abbey, Brett, Travis, Allison, Jessica and Spencer. Sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Thomas and Annie GROSE a brother Lorne GROSE and his wife Ethel, a sister Wilma HARDIE and her husband Arthur. Resting at the L.A. Ball Funeral Chapel, 7 Water St. N., Saint Marys on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Saint Marys United Church (85 Church St. S.) on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Pirie MITCHELL officiating. Spring interment will be in Zion Cemetery. In Edythe's memory donations to the Kidney Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be sent to www.ballfc.ca.

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MATUK o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-07-19 published
YOUNG, Lois (née SUGGITT)
At the Hospice at May Court in Ottawa on Friday, July 11, 2008 at the age of 80. Beloved wife of 55 years to William. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Anne (Vaughn ANDREWS) and Judith (Donald LEEK,) and by her grandchildren Katherine, David and Samuel, all of Ottawa. Predeceased by her brother Ewart and her sister Audrey SUGGITT. Special thanks to Doctor MATUK, the medical staff of the General Hospital, the medical staff and volunteers at the Hospice at May Court and to the Rev. Linda POSTHUMA of Epiphany Anglican Church. A memorial service for Lois and Bill will take place at a later date in Meaford, Ontario where their ashes will be buried. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hospice at May Court 613-260-2906 or to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation 613-761-4295. Flowers/Donations/Tributes: www.mcgarryfamily.ca 613-748-1200

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-01-06 published
MONAHAN livened college publications
By Joe MATYAS, Sun▼ Media,▼ Sun.,▼ January 6, 2008
An "energetic microdot of a woman," Karen MONAHAN is remembered as a woman who excelled at her college job.
It was her responsibility to keep Fanshawe College's 100,000 graduates in touch with their alma mater, a job that a longtime friend and colleague said she did extremely well.
She also encouraged others to follow their dreams and give something back, said Emily MARCOCCIA, lamenting the death of Fanshawe's alumni officer at 52.
"Karen was all about relationships and encouragement," said MARCOCCIA, Fanshawe's marketing and communications manager.
"She invested herself in others and made them feel as if their contributions were important. She made a difference and she made you feel as if you could make a difference, too."
MONAHAN died December 22 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.
"She thought she had beaten it, but it came back very aggressively," said MARCOCCIA.
MONAHAN was "an energetic microdot of a woman who was absolutely the loveliest, classiest woman I've ever met," she said.
"Karen had small feet, but she's left very big shoes to fill."
A citizen of Grenada, MONAHAN came to Fanshawe in London as one of its first international students, graduating in television broadcasting in 1976.
She began her career at the college a year later, hired as a media library technician.
MONAHAN joined the marketing and communications department in the late 1980s, working for MARCOCCIA as publications officer.
"She became one of the best at her job in the entire (Ontario) community college system," said MARCOCCIA. " She was an innovator, she anticipated developments and was often ahead of her time."
MONAHAN shifted Fanshawe's publications focus from dry, fact-based calendars and program guides to brochures that brought life to the college's programs, opportunities and people, she said. "She won awards for it and became someone who others copied."
MONAHAN pushed the development of the college's electronic publications, including its website, said MARCOCCIA.
"She was an exemplary employee and a great friend. As her boss, I was sad to lose her when she became Fanshawe's third alumni officer. But I knew she was perfect for the job."
MARCOCCIA said she tried to persuade MONAHAN to apply for the post 18 years earlier after Mary Ann DARLING, Fanshawe's first alumni officer, died in a car crash just before Christmas.
"She couldn't do it then because Mary Ann was her best friend and it didn't seem right."
As alumni officer for the last five years, MONAHAN won awards for Fanshawe's alumni magazine and oversaw development of mentoring and student and alumni purchase-discount programs, said MARCOCCIA.
"Karen was a producer and she punctuated her world with a wonderful wit," said MARCOCCIA. " Nobody was faster with words."

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-03-05 published
Man's crime spree recalled
Donald Wayne CLINE died last month at age 55, but he's remembered for his deeds at age 21.
By Joe MATYAS, Sun▲▼ Media,▲ Wed., March 5, 2008
Donald Wayne CLINE, the key figure in a dramatic Southwestern Ontario crime story more than 30 years ago, has died.
CLINE, 55, died late last month in hospital in Saint Thomas, his hometown.
A generation earlier, in 1975, the then-21-year-old was thrust under the spotlight in a 37-hour news saga.
The story began with a stolen car in London and the robbery of a Thamesford IGA store by four armed men. It turned into a 21-hour siege of a farmhouse on Highway 2 at Skee-Hi Road and ended a day later when London police tear-gassed a Boulee Street townhouse and arrested CLINE.
The evolving story included:
- A family with four children held captive.
- Two police officers disarmed of their service pistols.
- Shots fired at police and media.
- A $10,000 ransom paid for the release of three children.
- Police pursuit of a car containing an ex-convict driver, an armed man and a hostage on Highway 401 to and from Toronto.
- The car eluding police at night.
- A telephone tip to police where CLINE could be found.
CLINE was convicted a year later of attempted murder, three counts of armed robbery and one each of extortion and car theft.
He was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with eligibility for parole.
News of his death surprised those who covered the story.
"It was a big story at the time," said retired Free Press reporter Jim TAILOR/TAYLOR, one of the reporters who covered it. "I got a kick out of it."
The bizarre events were preceded by CLINE's escape from the Millhaven minimum security penitentiary on October 1, 1974, where he was serving a 4½ -year sentence on five charges related to a gas station robbery.
During his trial on the Thamesford events, CLINE testified he fired shots at police to frighten them, not to kill. No one was hurt.
Five police forces were involved in various phases of the events, with the Ontario Provincial Police leading the investigation.
The media took heavy criticism, when the incident was over, for having made direct phone calls to CLINE at the farmhouse during the seige.
Critics said the media made it harder for police to end the incident.
A newspaper reporter was chided for making himself the intermediary between CLINE and the police and a broadcaster was rebuked for asking CLINE during a live interview why he wasn't asking for a larger ransom.
CLINE was acquitted of kidnapping after testimony revealed he knew the family thought to be hostages.

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-02 published
Suspect arrested
Police won't say if they've established a motive
By Joe BELANGER and Joe MATYAS, Fri., May 2, 2008
Police search the area around an apartment building at 24 Gammage St. where the city's first homicide of the year took place early yesterday. (Susan BRADNAM, Sun Media)
Police arrested a suspect and seized a vehicle yesterday as they probed the killing of a Halifax man visiting the city.
The body of Wayne Fulton DAHR, 54, was found late Wednesday night in a walkup apartment at 24 Gammage Street, north of Oxford Street.
The Nova Scotia man had been visiting London for the past month, police said.
Yesterday afternoon, about 17 hours after police were first alerted to concerns about DAHR, an unidentified suspect was arrested.
Tight-lipped police weren't talking about the suspect, or who rents the apartment where the body was found.
But the building registry shows an occupant at unit 306, where the body was found, with the surname DAHR, suggesting the dead man had been visiting a relative.
Police had already found the victim's vehicle, a PT Cruiser, blocks away from the apartment building where his body was found, near a four-storey walkup at 1284 Gramercy Park Place, off Brydges Street.
The vehicle was seized for forensic examination, said Const. Amy Phillipo.
DAHR was found dead with "obvious trauma," police said, declining to be more specific.
Police wouldn't say if they've established a motive for the killing.
An autopsy is expected within two days, they said.
Residents of the Gammage Street apartment complex said they saw police knocking on doors early yesterday and asking questions.
Residents in the clutch of six, three-storey walkups were clearly taken by surprise.
"A homicide? Really? Here? Who?" asked one.
None of nearly 24 residents interviewed said they heard anything unusual before police arrived about 11 p.m. Wednesday to "check the welfare" of someone in the apartment.
"The police knocked on my door around 1 a.m. or 1: 30 a.m. and asked if I'd heard anything, but I'm in the basement with a floor between us, so I wouldn't have heard anything," said Darren EEDEN, EEDEN and other residents in the well-kept complex said the area is generally quiet, but for the occasional loud party.
"You'll see some sketchy characters around sometimes, but I haven't seen any violence," EEDEN said.
EEDEN and other residents said they suspect a few drug dealers live in the area.
Curious residents came and went, watching from windows and balconies as police and reporters worked the scene.
Officers searched on rooftops and through dumpsters and the grass around the apartment buildings for clues.
A lock to the building. smashed and broken, lay on the sidewalk. Police also removed an object from a clothing bin they searched.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 519-661-5670.

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-18 published
Westman had passion for putting customers first
By Joe MATYAS, Sun.,▲ May 18, 2008
Before value-added became a buzzword, Ken WESTMAN was known to go to his store after-hours to satisfy the purchase needs of a regular customer.
"He had a good relationship with his customers and he liked to keep them happy," his son, Barry WESTMAN, recalled.
"He'd work six or seven days a week if it was necessary," he said.
WESTMAN died recently at 81.
In 1954, he opened an independent after-market auto parts and accessories dealership on Oxford Street East and for more than 40 years competed against retail giants such as Canadian Tire.
Ken Westman Automotive Ltd. operated at three Oxford Street locations over the years, using lower mark-up and personal service to offset the advantages of the big stores.
"Custom cars are a passion and my father understood that. He loved to talk cars with customers," said his son.
Regulars often drove in from Exeter, Saint Thomas, Stratford, Strathroy and Woodstock.
Stock car drivers from the United States, who raced at Delaware and Nilestown, often visited WESTMAN's, too.
"Dad had a great sense of humour and he was very opinionated that was part of his appeal," said his son.
"He loved London and he was always advocating for ways to make the city better," said Helen, his wife for the past four years.
Free Press readers also knew WESTMAN as a prolific letter writer, whose wide-ranging topics included dog droppings on streets, hockey brawls and hospitals gouging visitors for parking. The newspaper published about 70 of his letters between 1995 and In his last letter last November, he urged city council to put more emphasis on public-works spending in the wake of a watermain break that caused a sinkhole at Dundas and Wellington streets.
WESTMAN was married to Audrey Jean HARITON for 44 years. For many of those years, he made an annual trek to the Indianapolis 500 car race, sometimes with family, sometimes with Friends.
"He loved the Indy," said Barry WESTMAN. "He got hooked on it the first time he went."
Everywhere the son went, even to this day, he's asked: "Are you related to Ken WESTMAN?"
"For me, it's the inevitable question and I'm good with it. He was a great, loving dad and a very good provider for the family," he said.
WESTMAN was a charitable man who annually volunteered at a Christmas collection kettle for the Salvation Army, said Helen.

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-07-15 published
Investigators identify body pulled from lake as Mount Brydges man, By Joe MATYAS, Tues., July▼ 15, 2008
The body of a man pulled from Lake Erie on the weekend has been identified as a 32-year-old Mount Brydges resident.
The body of Jamie HARRIS was recovered early Sunday in Port Glasgow, where the man had last been seen in the lake -- near the village pier -- the day before about 4: 45 a.m.
Yesterday, Ontario Provincial Police said they were still waiting for results of an autopsy to determine how the man died.
Police had said foul play wasn't suspected.
HARRIS was the eighth person found dead in the water near Port Glasgow in recent years.
Two years ago, two boaters set off from the port, never to return, and seven years before that five men died in a boating mishap.
It took more than three months before the bodies of all five men were recovered.
HARRIS is the son of Len and Pat HARRIS of Mount Brydges.

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MATYAS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-07-24 published
JOSELYN always felt compelled to give back to her community
By Joe MATYAS, Thurs., July▲ 24, 2008
Marilyn JOSELYN was the kind of woman who had to be involved when she saw needs she thought she could address, her spouse of 47 years said yesterday.
"She believed very strongly that you had to give something back to the community in areas of your competence," said Roland JOSELYN, a retired history teacher.
His wife died in hospital on Monday at age 68 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer.
"Marilyn lived life to the fullest," her husband said. "She wasn't one to let any moss grow on her."
A nurse and psychotherapist by profession, JOSELYN was also a London board of education trustee for 12 years and an active volunteer with such organizations as Childreach, Youth Opportunities Unlimited and the London Abused Women's Centre.
She was honoured by the Ontario Liberal party this year as its provincial volunteer of the year.
In her case, it was an award for contributions to the party spanning more than 40 years, said Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley, Liberal member of provincial parliament for London West.
"Marilyn was active in politics for all the right reasons," said Bentley, who's set to speak at JOSELYN's memorial service tomorrow.
She was a person who was a voice for people who didn't have a voice, she advocated for services for the vulnerable and she was a champion for a fair, just society, Bentley said.
"She never hesitated to praise governments of any stripe for improvements they made, but she also reminded everyone of what still needed to be done. She was never satisfied with the status quo. She always wanted us to do better."
JOSELYN had such a profound, positive influence on so many people in so many areas "that it's hard to go anywhere in London without meeting someone who knew Marilyn," Bentley said.
As a school board trustee, JOSELYN was a strong voice for students "who were challenged in some way and needed programs and supports that helped them," said Joyce BENNETT, a current trustee who served on the board with JOSELYN.
She showed concern for special needs children, dropouts and students who were newcomers to Canada, BENNETT added.
"She felt it was very important that everyone felt welcome and included in our schools. She was a good trustee and a good friend."
As a psychiatric nurse at Victoria and University hospitals from 1976 to 1985, and later as a private psychotherapist, JOSELYN developed a great deal of sympathy for women and children traumatized by domestic violence and dysfunctional families, said her husband.
That motivated her to become active in volunteer work on behalf of women and children, he said.
"She was a feminist who supported the equality of women and she worked tirelessly on behalf of abused women," said Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women's Centre.
"She was someone who was always there when you needed her and she worked for the cause with little fanfare."
Said Bentley: "For Marilyn, it was always about the work, never about her. She was a very special person. She will truly be missed."
Visitations are scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today and a memorial service at 4 p.m. tomorrow, all at Westview Funeral Chapel on Wonderland Road.
"It will be a celebration of her life," said her husband.

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MATYCIO o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-07-22 published
CONNOR, Jim " Jamie"
On July 17, 2008, Mr. Jim "Jamie" CONNOR of Edmonton passed away at the age of 53 years.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Bonny (née MATYCIO) his loving cat, Mik; mother, Alice; brothers, Dean (Maris) and Mike; and one sister, Jane (Peter); as well as numerous relatives and Friends. Predeceased by his father, Jim and his Aunt Val.
Jim was born in Hamilton, Ontario, attended high school at Burlington Central and Lorne Park Secondary School, and graduated from the University of Guelph.
A Celebration of Jim's Life will be on Thursday, July 24 at 3: 30 p.m. at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 - 111 Avenue. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
To send condolences, visit www.parkmemorial.com
Park Memorial, Edmonton 780-426-0050, Family Owned Funeral Home, Crematorium, Reception Centre

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