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WATTS o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2008-05-13 published
TAILOR/TAYLOR,
Thelma
Norene (née
COOK)
Thelma passed away at Grey Bruce Health Services in Meaford at
the age of 84, on Saturday May 3, 2008, after a brief illness.
Born in Euphrasia Township on April 9, 1924, she was the daughter
of the late Harman and Clara (née
HINDMAN)
COOK.
Thelma married
Arthur Herbert
TAILOR/TAYLOR on October 26, 1946. The couple enjoyed
working together in the family orchards in Clarksburg for many
years. Bird watching, quilting, gardening and baking apple pies
were some of Thelma's many interests. Thelma will be remembered
for her ever present smile and quiet manner. She was committed
not only to her family but also to her church and community.
She will be forever remembered as a loving mother by her daughter
Bonnie and her husband Brian
McCOLGAN of Meaford, son Ted
TAILOR/TAYLOR
and his wife
Sonia of Chatham, and daughter Joyce
GAUCI of Meaford.
Thelma was predeceased by her beloved husband Art in February 1994 and
by her daughter Linda
THOMS of Craigleith in August 2004. Thelma
was the cherished mother-in-law of Brenda
TAILOR/TAYLOR of Clarksburg
and Stewart
THOMS of Craigleith. Thelma will be fondly remembered
by her grandchildren: Taylor and Kelly; Michelle (Kevin), Michael
(Anna), Meghan (Mike), Joey and Jessie; Erin (Blue); Dustin and
Josh and by her great-granddaughters; Caitlin, Keira and Kendra.
She was predeceased by her brother, Beverley
COOK of Rocklyn,
in September 2000 and is warmly remembered by her sister-in-law
Eileen COOK of Owen Sound. Thelma will be sadly missed by her
sisters-in-law Edna (late Fred)
TAILOR/TAYLOR of Victoria British Columbia
and formerly of Clarksburg, Edna (late Willard)
JULIAN of Meaford,
Elsie (late Don)
WATTS of Clarksburg, and Audrey (late Howard)
EAGLES, of Meaford. Her several nieces and nephews and their
families will also recall their Aunt Thelma with great affection.
Thelma's funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Ferguson
Funeral Home in Meaford and funeral services, officiated by Reverend
Dr. Robert
BUCHANAN, were conducted at Saint Paul's Presbyterian
Church in Thornbury on Tuesday May 6, 2008. Son-in-law Brian
McCOLGAN and son Ted
TAILOR/TAYLOR offered remembrances of Thelma in
tribute to her life during the service. A service of committal
and interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford where
Thelma was interred beside her late husband Art with pallbearers
being grand_sons Kelly
McCOLGAN,
Michael and Joseph
TAILOR/TAYLOR, Blue
MELNICK, and Dustin and Josh
GAUCI.
May
God hold you in the palm
of his hand until we meet again.
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WATTS o@ca.on.grey_county.owen_sound.the_sun_times 2008-06-27 published
FENWICK,
John
Matthew
Peacefully at Summit Place Nursing Home in Owen Sound (formerly
of Tara) on Thursday June 26, 2008. In his 96th year, John Matthew
FENWICK, the beloved husband of the late Marie (née
TRASK.)
Loved
father of Ruby (Mrs. Wallace
WATTS) and Harvey and his wife
Penny.
Father-in-law of Erla (Mrs. Ken
FENWICK.)
Proud grandfather of
Stephen, Lisa, Jennifer, Stacy and Crystal. Dear brother of Ivan
and brother-in-law of Olive
FENWICK.
John will be fondly remembered
by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son Ken, son-in-law
Wally, granddaughter Marci, sisters Hazel, Lena and by his brother
Howard. Friends may call at the Breckenridge-Ashcroft Funeral
Home on Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. A funeral service will be
held at the funeral home on Monday at 11 a.m. Interment in Hillcrest
Cemetery.
Rev.
Ted
CREEN officiating. As an expression of sympathy,
memorial donations to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church or to
the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-03-04 published
PLANK,
James
Wilfred
Heard his name on February 29, 2008. His release from earthly
pain was welcome and well prepared as his loved ones were gifted
with time to acknowledge and share their love and admiration
for this first-class man - a gentleman and a scholar, Jim modeled
a life of strong Christian values, solid family ideals, and a
deep work ethic. His joy was found in his love of the Lord, his
lifelong sweetheart, his family, great literature, and fine works
of music. Jim had the ability to inspire those around him to
rise to greater heights morally, intellectually and spiritually,
challenging us all to follow our own paths. His impact was felt
by many after 34 years of teaching - many of these at Herman
Collegiate Institute in Windsor. And, he lent comfort to many
through his years of Pastoral Care in jails and hospitals, and
his Elder work in his churches. His careers included selling
subscriptions to Liberty magazine as a young boy, reining in
run-away horses on his 2nd job as milkman, teaching and volunteering
with the Alzheimer Society. Born on October 29, 1930 in London,
Ontario, Jim spent most of his school years there before moving
with his parents to a farm in Merlin, Ontario. Jim enjoyed a
blessed and rich childhood. He will be dearly missed by his sisters
Audrey LUMLEY
(John,) and Marion
WINDELL. He is predeceased by
his parents Laura and Fred
PLANK, his sister Helen
ZANIER and
his brother Fredrick
PLANK.
Jim takes temporary leave from his
wife of 53 years, Mildred
PLANK and his four children - Cynthia
MORRIS, Grant
PLANK (Linda
PLANK), Amy
ROBINSON (Claude
ROBINSON)
and Jennifer
PLANK
(Michael
WATTS.) He is well loved by his grandchildren:
Nicole PLANK, Jennilee
PINO (Brad), Benjamin
ROBINSON, Andrew
MORRIS, Kimberly
PLANK (Eduardo), Patrick
ROBINSON, Nicholas
ROBINSON, Helen
WATTS, Dakota
ROBINSON, Emma
WATTS, Nakita
ROBINSON,
and his Great-Grandchildren: Lucca
CONTE,
Amilia
PINO, Ella
PLANK.
We invite you to share our tears and joys in celebrating the
life of Jim
PLANK through your prayers of thanksgiving for a
life well lived. At the request of James, there will be no funeral
or public memorial service - his spirit lives on when you gather
for prayer, raise your voice in song, or are moved by fine prose.
Donations to the Foundation of Chatham Kent Health Alliance-Magnetic
Resonance Imager Campaign (http://www.foundationckha.com/mri/mri.html)
or charity of your choice, would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements
entrusted to McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham.
(519) 351-2040. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfunralhome.com
"Lift up your hearts and share with me, God wanted me now He
set me free"
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-03-28 published
HALES,
Margaret
Elizabeth (née
RITCHIE)
At Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
Margaret Elizabeth
HALES of Aylmer. Beloved wife of the late
William
S. "
Clair"
HALES (1979.) Predeceased by her son Herbert R.
HALES (2008,) daughter-in-law Sandra M.
HALES (1996) and brothers
James R. RITCHIE (1996,) and
Donald
M.
RITCHIE (2000.) Dear aunt
of Judith BEAUDRY of North Bay, Jean
REID of North Bay and Donald T.
RITCHIE and wife
Sue of Parry Sound. Born in St. Chrysostome,
Quebec, daughter of the late David and Margaret
(McCAIG)
RITCHIE.
Margaret moved to Aylmer from Winnipeg in 1963. Friends may call
at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Sunday 2-4 p.m. where
the funeral service will be held on Monday March 31, 2008 at
1: 00 p.m. Rev. Cam
WATTS, officiating. Interment, Aylmer Cemetery.
Donations to the Diabetes Assoc. or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Condolences at kebbelfuneralhome. com
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-04-16 published
BEHIE,
Clarence
At Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Monday April 14, 2008.
Clarence BEHIE of Aylmer in his 90th year. Beloved husband of
Mildred (HARRIS)
BEHIE. Dear father of Aleta
BEHIE of Saint Thomas,
Fran WHALEY and husband Tony of Aylmer, Kevan
HAYMAN of Sarnia,
Duane BEHIE and wife
Sandra of Saint Thomas. Loved by a number
of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Born in Hudson Bay
Junction, Saskatchewan on January 1, 1919. Clarence had been
a foreman at Jaeger Machine in Saint Thomas. In his retirement
he enjoyed woodworking. Friends may call at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral
Home, Aylmer on Monday April 21, 2008 from 6-7 p.m. A celebration
of Clarence's life will follow at 7: 00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Cam
WATTS, officiating. Burial of Ashes Aylmer Cemetery. Donations
to the Canadian Cancer Society (Brain Tumor Research) appreciated.
Personal Condolences can be made at kebbelfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-14 published
WATTS,
F.
John
In loving memory of Dad, F. John
WATTS, who left us May 14, 2004.
God looked around His garden, And found an empty space, He then
looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face, He put his
arms around you, And lifted you to rest, God's garden must be
beautiful, For he only takes the best, God knew that you were
suffering, He knew you were in pain, He knew that you would never
get well, In this world again and wanted out, So he closed your
weary eyelids, And whispered "Peace be thine", It broke our hearts
to lose you, But you did not go alone, For part of us went with
you, The day God called you home, You bade no one a last farewell,
But thought of us till the end, You were gone before we knew
it, And only God knew why. Forever cherished, never forgotten,
and deeply missed, Dorie, Alf and family.
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-16 published
CLAUS,
Lorna
Annabelle (née
HOPKINS)
At Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Wednesday May 14, 2008.
Lorna Annabelle
CLAUS of Aylmer in her 74th year. Beloved wife
of the late Arthur Jay
CLAUS (1988.) Dear mother of Deborah
FACEY
and husband Robert of Aylmer, Douglas
CLAUS and wife
Brenda
JOHNSON
of R.R.#2 Aylmer, Dianne
CLAUS of Aylmer, Randy
CLAUS of R.R.#2,
Saint Thomas. Loved by 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Sister of Carl
HOPKINS and wife
Marjorie, J.D.
HOPKINS and wife
Audrey, Betty
McARTHUR,
Mary
WILSON and husband David, Isabelle
McMASTER and Linda
McBEATH.
Predeceased by a brother James
HOPKINS
and a sister Shirley
DOUGLAS/DOUGLASS.
Born in Durham, Ontario on May 7,
1935 daughter of the late Frank and Murnn
(IRWIN)
HOPKINS.
Lorna
worked at the Ontario Police College for 31 years as the kitchen
staff manager. Friends may call at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home,
Aylmer on Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will
be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 1: 30 p.m. Interment, St. Luke's
Cemetery,
Vienna.
Rev. Dr. Cam
WATTS, officiating. Donations
to the Canadian Cancer Society or Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation
would be appreciated. Condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-21 published
CLARKE,
Wilma
Elizabeth (née
TOLL)
At Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
Wilma Elizabeth
CLARKE of Chateau Gardens, Aylmer and formerly
of R.R.#2, Springfield in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the
late Charles
CLARKE (1995.) Dear mother of Kenneth and his wife
Evelyn of R.R.#2 Springfield, Marjorie
PAYNE and her husband
Dr.
William of London and Carolyn
CLARKE of Saint Thomas. Grandmother
of Kristen
PAYNE of Chatham, Doctor Michael
PAYNE and Sarah
MILES
of Australia and Andrew
PAYNE of London. Also survived by a number
of nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brothers Rev. Ellsworth
and LeRoy TOLL.
Born in Walkerville, Ontario on May 2, 1911 daughter
of the late Rev. Sylvester and Maude
(ROBERTS)
TOLL.
She was
a member of the Aylmer Baptist Church and the Evertrue Mission
Circle. Wilma graduated from Victoria College at the University
of Toronto in 1933, the Ontario College of Education and taught
at the Ontario Ladies College in Whitby for seven years. She
also taught at Springfield Public School. Friends may call at
the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
where the funeral service will be held on Friday, May 23, 2008
at 11: 00 a.m. Interment, Aylmer Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Cam
WATTS,
officiating. Donations to the Aylmer Baptist Church would be
appreciated. Condolences can be made at kebbelfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-28 published
HOLDSWORTH,
Bryan
Bravely, after a brief illness, with his family by his side,
at Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Monday, May 26, 2008.
Bryan HOLDSWORTH of Pt. Burwell in his 59th year. Beloved best
friend and companion of Barbara
LONG and her family Greg and
Cindy LONG and Derrick
LONG. Dear brother of Nancilee Clausius
and Archie Gilbert of Port Burwell. Nephew of Helen
SMITH of
London. Loved by a number of cousins. Predeceased by a number
of aunts and uncles. Born in Woodstock, Ontario on February 13,
1950 son of the late Bruce and Doris
(SMITH)
HOLDSWORTH.
Bryan
was a long time employee of Big Otter Marina and Campground and
a 30 year member of the Port Burwell Legion. Friends may call
at the H.A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Wednesday 7-9 p.m.
A private family funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 29,
2008. Interment, Aylmer Cemetery. Rev. Dr. Cam
WATTS, officiating.
Bryan's family wish to express their sincere appreciation to
Dr. Larry LEATHERDALE and staff for their excellent care over
the past thirty years. Thanks also to Mike
GARRY at the Marina
for his Friendship and trust; to Bryan's many Friends and neighbours
for their acts of kindness during his illness. Donations to the
Humane Society or Cancer Society would be appreciated. Condolences
at kebbelfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-07-22 published
ABELL,
Evelyn
Anne (née
WATTS)
At Saint Thomas Elgin General Hospital on July 20, 2008. Evelyn
Anne ABELL of Metcalfe Gardens, Saint Thomas and formerly, R.R.#1,
Aylmer in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Russell
ABELL
(1988.) Survived by step-daughters, Doreen
WARD of Emsdale, and
Dorothy MEYER and husband Warren of R.R.#7 Aylmer. Step-grandmother
of Megan ABELL of R.R.#1, Aylmer and sister-in-law of Heather
WATTS of Edmonton, Alberta. Also survived by a number of nieces
and nephews. Precedeceased by a stepson Leonard
ABELL and wife
Pamela and a brother Ensley
WATTS.
Born in Malahide Township
Ontario on April 23, 1920 daughter of the late Hubert and Myrtle
(LAUR-
ENSLEY)
WATTS.
Evelyn had lived most of her life in Aylmer
and Malahide Township. She was member of the Verdun Chapter #36,
of the Order of the Eastern Star. Friends may call at the H.A. Kebbel
Funeral Home, Aylmer on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral
service will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2008 at 11: 00 a.m.
Interment,
Dunboyne
Cemetery. Rev. Donald
GRAHAM, officiating.
Donations to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind would
be appreciated. Condolences at kebbelfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.simcoe_county.nottawasaga.collingwood.the_connection 2008-04-18 published
COLLINS,
Walter
Edward
The family of Walter
COLLINS would like to thank all those Friends
and relatives who brought so much love, Friendship and joy into
the life of our husband, father and grandfather.
On the sad occasion of his sudden passing, we would like to send
sincere thanks to the attending Wasaga Beach Paramedics, Ontario
Provincial Police and the Fire Department. Thank you for the
professionalism shown and the respect for Walter's dignity that
he was so deserving of Thank you to all those who telephoned,
emailed, sent flowers and donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Thank you to Doctor James
LANE and all the staff at Stayner Medical
Centre for 20 years of care, compassion and patience. Also, to
Irma and all the staff at the Wasaga Beach IDA.
Special thank you to Watts Funeral Home in Wasaga Beach for the
care and respect given to Walter's service. A very special thanks
to Darrin WATTS for going above and beyond the call of duty in
preparation for Walter's final journey home.
Thanks to Noreen, her daughter Suzanne, Wilma, Luanne, Eddie
and Arlene. The Dyconia (Pat and John), and the many more Friends
who helped with the food. To The Beacon (Guy) for the get together
after the service.
To Walter's sister Eileen
BURNELL and Chad
WALLACE who spoke
at the service. Chad, Patsy and Doug
WALLACE who sang so beautifully.
To the Toronto Emergency Medical Services Honour Guard and all
former co-workers, especially to Paul
HESS, his partner for 30 years.
To Reverend Keith
LOCKHART, who oversaw the service. To Julie
SHAND and Kirk
WHITLOCK who prepared the wonderful slide show,
thank you all so very much.
To Robert FRIEND, our rock and anchor, Thank You.
To his brothers of the Wasaga Wobblers, we know it was all about
the love. Foward… he got his hat.
May his memory always bring a smile to everyone he knew. He touched
us all with his special gift of true Friendship. We love you
all.
The COLLINS
Family
Page 44
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WATTS o@ca.on.simcoe_county.nottawasaga.stayner.stayner_sun 2008-05-28 published
HAMILTON,
Eva
(GREER/GRIER)
Dan HAMILTON and Family would like to Thank Family and Relatives
for the many cards and flowers since Eva's passing.
Thank you to the Staff and Nurses of Sunset Manor Georgian 2,
where Eva and Dan have lived for the past 5 years, and for the
continuing care and support of Dan. Also to the Nursing Staff
of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital for Eva's last
days of care. A special Thank You to Darrin, Barbara and Max
WATTS of Watts Funeral Home for their Service, Support and Care
during our time of sorrow.
Eva will be forever remembered in our hearts. She was a Very
Special Lady who touched our Hearts.
Lovingly Remembered by; Dan, Mary, Laura, Nick, Amy, Joe, Angie,
Danny and Nickolas
HAMILTON
Page 17
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WATTS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-02-01 published
PERRY,
Doctor
Victor
Roland, M.B.E.
F/L Royal Canadian Air Force 421 Squadron O/S
On January 19th, 2008 The Great Circle closed. Once again, he
sits on the Hill in Western Bay, Newfoundland. where it all began
in 1911. Surrounded by nature's wonders, rugged beauty, and history,
he looks out to sea, now knowing Life's Mystery. With an excellent
mind framed by outstanding memory, he saw through 'fog' to find
essence. He married UofT Meds '39 classmate Barbara
WATTS (1996)
and together they raised four children: Vicki (2002), Donna,
Ron, and Bob. As they grew, as Friends came, and as the family
expanded to include spouses and grandchildren, he instilled meaning
through discovery, honouring learning. He encouraged everyone
to make the most of their lives to the best of their individual
abilities. In art, gardening (especially roses), writing, music,
and all he did, he pursued knowledge and expression. Patients,
contemporaries, and Friends respected him. His strong spirit
carried him through a torpedoing on D-Day and the horrors of
war. He was appalled by but recognized the roots of mankind's
inhumanity. He cherished Nature and was abhorred by its destruction.
Humble beginnings with seven siblings and deep family bonds taught
him to focus on what mattered; he lived unfettered by our materialistic
culture, and he knew how to improvise and be independent. People
and living were understood through basic principles. In his last
chapter, he felt fortunate to have shared a special companionship
with Margaret
YOUNG. He was very proud of everyone in his extended
family and all of their accomplishments. When skies were darkest,
he would say to watch for the breaking sunshine. So, with what
he stood for, he touches all he knew. Cremation has taken place.
A future family gathering will celebrate his life.
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WATTS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-06-10 published
WATTS,
Barbara
June
(EMSON)
Peacefully at her home at R.R.#3, Mount Forest on Monday June 9,
2008. Barbara June
(EMSON)
WATTS in her 79th year. Beloved wife
of the late Maurice
WATTS.
Loved mother of Ian
WATTS and wife
Ann
of Port Perry and Julie
BENNS and husband John of R.R.#3, Mount
Forest.
Loving grandmother of Brendon and Michael
WATTS and Mersadi
BENNS. Dear sister-in-law of Dick
MEAD of England. Predeceased
by sisters Audrey
SMALL and husband Joe and Jacqueline
MEAD.
Cremation
has taken place. Visitation at the Hendrick Funeral Home, Mount
Forest on Thursday June 12th from 2: 00 to 4:00 p.m. A private
family service will be held. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer's
Society would be appreciated by the family.
On line condolences may be made at www.hendrickfuneralhome.com
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WATTS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-06-18 published
GABY,
Phyllis▼
Van▼
Norman▼ (née
TURNER)
At Toronto, on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Daughter of the late
James Wilson
TURNER and the late Florence Turner
MAIZE.
Niece▼
of the late Walter and Mabelle
WATTS of Chatham, Ontario. Wife
of the late Robert MacBeth
GABY (1995.) Mother of Robert Turner,
Peter Benjamin and his wife Suzanne. Grandmother of Spencer Robert
and Jacqueline Elle. The family funeral was held on Tuesday,
June 17, 2008, at Rosedale United Church. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the Canadian National Institute for
the Blind Library - Talking Books, Attention: Donor Services,
1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4G 3E8 (Tel. 1-800-563-2642).
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WATTS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-06-21 published
GABY,
Phyllis▲
Van▲
Norman▲ (née
TURNER)
At Toronto, on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Daughter of the late
James Wilson
TURNER and the late Florence Turner
MAIZE.
Niece▲
of the late Walter and Mabelle
WATTS of Chatham, Ontario. Wife
of the late Robert MacBeth
GABY (1995.) Mother of Robert Turner,
Peter Benjamin and his wife Suzanne. Grandmother of Spencer Robert
and Jacqueline Elle. The family funeral was held on Tuesday,
June 17, 2008, at Rosedale United Church. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to the Canadian National Institute for
the Blind Library - Talking Books, Attention: Donor Services,
1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4G 3E8 (Tel. 1-800-563-2642).
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WATTS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-07-16 published
Slain interior designer had been in 'downward spiral'
Toronto man had become addicted to sex, drugs and alcohol, acquaintance
says
By Josh WINGROVE,
Page A1
The demise of Ross
MAGILL began some three years ago.
Mr. MAGILL had fallen for a Vancouver man in 2005. Their relationship
blossomed quickly, and Mr.
MAGILL - always prone to move on a
whim - uprooted his life to be with his new partner out west.
Later that year, the couple split, and Mr.
MAGILL returned to
Toronto a changed man.
So began what Friends called a "downward spiral" of a gifted
interior designer. Mr.
MAGILL became addicted to drugs, sex and
alcohol, and could not keep a job or apartment.
He grew promiscuous, bringing many younger men home to his latest
midtown apartment, Friends said. Monday night, he let two others
in - and soon afterward he was dead, the victim of a stabbing
attack in a city where few recognized the man he'd become.
Born
William
Ross
MAGILL in Hamilton in January, 1944, he displayed
a flair for design early on. He never went to design school,
instead learning on the job wherever he worked - in Florida,
New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Bobcaygeon, Ontario, where his
mother lived.
"He was a very talented designer, really a top-flight designer,"
said Diane
WATTS, a home furnishings designer who'd worked with
Mr. MAGILL.
John MANUEL, another Toronto designer, first met Mr.
MAGILL at
age 17.
"He was very well-liked. He was chock full of personality and
devastatingly handsome," Mr.
MANUEL said. But Mr.
MAGILL had
a "very checkered career," he added, moving on a whim and starting
over each time. "He was successful in Florida, and he threw Florida
away," Mr.
MANUEL said.
Eventually, Mr.
MAGILL, who Friends say was Human Immunodeficiency
Virus-positive, returned to Toronto to get the benefit of the
Canadian health-care system. His mother, with whom he was very
close, died a few years ago. Soon after, he moved to Vancouver.
On December 17, 2005, he called Ms.
WATTS and asked if he could
move back and stay with her.
"[The boyfriend] threw him out, basically, and Ross was never
the same after that," Ms.
WATTS said. "It just totally messed
him up."
He stayed with Ms.
WATTS for two months, weeping often. She didn't
believe he was addicted to drugs at the time, but knew he'd battled
alcoholism. He moved out in early 2006, and after brief stays
at two other apartments (one on Alexander Street in Toronto,
where Ms. WATTS suspects he picked up a drug habit,) he moved
into the building on Delisle Avenue, near Yonge Street and St. Clair
Avenue.
Over the past five months, he rarely returned phone calls from
Friends. His only family, a sister, lives on the East Coast.
While falling out of contact with his design associates, it appears
Mr. MAGILL, at age 64, descended into a life of drugs, sex and
alcohol.
"It was just a downward spiral," Ms.
WATTS said. "He was really
on a descent into hell."
Friends say he continued to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings,
but that he wasn't looking for help.
"Everyone was upset about it for him, and tried in big ways to
help him," Mr.
MANUEL said. "It was getting to a point where
I couldn't cope with his problems."
Mr. MAGILL became insular, only saying a quick hello to neighbours
and choosing not to place his name in his building's front-door
tenant directory.
He often brought in young male guests - "junkies," one tenant
said - who neighbours believed to be lovers of his. "He got really
mixed up in the wrong crowd," Ms.
WATTS said.
But Mr. MAGILL, a proud man who spoke in such a way that neighbours
believed he had a British accent, was shy about the relationships
with young men. He would often send his partners up alone in
an elevator so as not to arouse suspicion, neighbours said.
On Monday night, two men knocked on the door of his second-floor
apartment. Mr.
MAGILL let them in while a 23-year-old man living
with him, identified by neighbours as his boyfriend of three
months, was in the shower.
Soon afterward, Toronto police said, Mr.
MAGILL had been stabbed
"multiple" times and lay dead in his home.
"I believe he knew his attackers - at least one of them anyway.
He opened the door," Detective Sergeant Dan
NIELSEN said.
His 23-year-old guest heard the commotion and called police at
10: 42 p.m. He has been interviewed by police - saying he saw
two men flee but was unable to give descriptions - and is not
considered a suspect, police said.
Officers are reviewing security tapes from nearby buildings and
found cocaine in Mr.
MAGILL's apartment. They have made no arrests.
His frequent guests didn't please the superintendents of the
104-unit building. Much like his Friends, his neighbours warned
him about the dangerous life he was leading, with young men coming
and going.
"How can I say it nicely? I mentioned it many times, his 'friends,'
said Agnes
FORIKA, 47, with a knowing wink. "I promised him:
'One of them will kill you, Ross.' "
Mr. MAGILL is Toronto's 30th homicide of the year. An autopsy
is scheduled for today.
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WATTY o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-04-17 published
JACOBSON,
Caroline (née
WATTY)
Omnivorous reader, traveller, social democrat, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt. Born November 13, 1900,
in Kirkwall, Scotland. Died December 25, 2007, of old age in
Thunder Bay, aged 107
By Ken MORRISON,
Jean
MORRISON and Clarence
JACOBSON and Maxine
LORENTSON,
Page L8
The first of 13 children, Caroline moved to Canada in 1903 with
parents Malcolm and Emily
WATTY and her baby sister.
Thanks to Ontario's Free Grants and Homestead Act, the family
took up land in Dorion, Ontario, a new settlement on the Canadian
Pacific Railway line northeast of Thunder Bay.
Caroline thrived in this milieu. With only one year of formal
education she taught herself to read. This she did avidly, later
acquiring a vast library of books on biography, history, politics
and geography.
At 18, she cut pulpwood for shipping to the mills. During a smallpox
scare she moved at age 21 to Schreiber, Ontario, a Canadian Pacific
Railway divisional and crew-change point, where she replaced
quarantined cooks and cleaners at the Canadian Pacific Railway's
Young Men's Christian Association.
Qualified for a railway pass after one year's employment, Caroline
took the train across Canada whenever possible.
She indulged her love of travel until age 95, with flights to
Europe and Cuba and automobile journeys to both coasts. She learned
to drive at 68 - and took a car maintenance course before getting
her licence.
After her marriage in 1938 to Alvin (Jake)
JACOBSON, a railway
conductor, Caroline continued working at the Y until her son
Clarence was born.
The family moved to Port Arthur in the early 1940s, and Caroline
gave birth to her second son, Douglas, who predeceased her in
1996. Jake died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 1962.
Caroline was in on the planning of Castlegreen, one of Canada's
earliest housing co-operatives, in Thunder Bay. Never missing
a meeting or a chance to volunteer, she lived there from its
opening in the 1970s with, later, daily attention from her son
Clarence, until going into a nursing home at age l03.
She insisted that her daily "porridge" of oatmeal, brewer's yeast,
wheat germ, blackstrap molasses and a whole bulb of garlic contributed
to her longevity and to her freedom from arthritis, allergies,
headaches and deafness.
But the main secret toher long life, she confessed, was that
she never worried about anything.
Caroline had a passion for politics. She voted when first eligible
and in every election thereafter. She was a life member of the
Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation/New Democratic Party, attended
conventions and worked in campaigns until she was 90.
Caroline once summed up her long life this way: "When I was young
I admired clever people. Now that I am old I admire kind people."
Always smiling in spite of adversity, Caroline was a kind, calm
person.
Ken and Jean
MORRISON are Caroline's Friends, Clarence
JACOBSON
is her son and Maxine
LORENTSON is her niece.
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