James Grant Ruston, 90, died October 7, 2002 at St. Lawrence Lodge, where he had lived for more than a year and a half.
Born in Hamilton August 2, 1912, he was the second son of Adeline and Robert Ruston. He attended school in Hamilton and Woodstock before moving to Brockville in the early 1930s. His father had been transferred to Brockville to take the position as head gardener at the psychiatric hospital.
He married the former Dorothy Hayes Fenton on March 21, 1941 and lived at the family home on James Street East for more than 60 years.
He worked at the James Smart Canada Foundries and Forgings for 26 years until it closed. Then he worked several years at Reynolds Fuels and finally at Brockville Psychiatric Hospital until his retirement.
A pleasant, kind and energetic individual, he took great pride in his family and home. He and his father were founding members of the Brockville Curling Club (on Garden Street opposite St. Vincent de Paul Hospital) where they spent many enjoyable afternoons and evenings.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and successfully competed in the Toronto Salmon Derby 15 years ago, netting an "almost record" 35-pound Chinook salmon.
He also enjoyed reading, gardening, cycling, euchre, boating on the river and outdoor activities. He participated in ice fishing, skidooing and enjoyed organizing barbecues for family and friends at home.
During his younger days, he attended St. Peter's Anglican Church, where he rang the bells and participated in the Anglican Young People's ssociation.
He was a Royal Arch Mason for nearly 60 years and a life member of the Sussex St. Lawrence Chapter No. 59 GRC and the Sussex Lodge No. 5 GRC in Brockville.
Mr. Ruston is survived by his children, Mary Eleanor Southcott and husband Marv of Brampton and Donald James Ruston and wife Andrea of Brockville, and grandchildren Jennifer Ruston DeBortli of Australia and Nancy Ruston Hoogenraad of Niagara Falls.
He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (August 25, 1998), parents, brothers Robert and George, and sister Eleanor.
A private family funeral service was held October 11, with Rev. Dr. Alan Bennett officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery. Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, was entrusted with the arrangements.
Betty Blackman, 79
ELGIN -- Betty Blackman, 79, died of cancer October 15, 2002 at Kingston General Hospital after an illness lasting one month.
She was born December 9, 1922, in Seeley's Bay, the daughter of Harry Blackman and the former Nellie Gray. She was raised in Philipsville and attended Delta public school and Athens High School.
She graduated as a registered nurse from Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. During her nursing career she lived with the Coates family of Kingston and nursed at Kingston General Hospital. She retired 23 years ago and moved to Elgin to live with her sister Marjorie Jackson.
A member of St. Paul's Anglican Church in Elgin and of the Kingston General Hospital Nurses Alumnae, she was the recipient in 1977 of the Queen's Jubilee Medal, in appreciation of her service and as a measure of the esteem in which she was held by her associates at KGH.
She was nicknamed Blackie and enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, bird watching and looking for deer and other animals in the wild.
She is survived by her brother Wallace Blackman of Perth, sisters Marjorie Jackson and Marilyn Bond, both of Elgin, sister-in-law Viola Blackman of Smiths Falls, several cousins and many devoted nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother Elmer Blackman and sisters Irene Stevens and Jean Stoness.
Friends called at the Scotland Funeral Home, Elgin, where on October 17 the funeral was held, with Rev. James Clark officiating and Donald Horning assisting. Eulogies were given by her sister, Marilyn Bond, Dr. J.W. Kerr and William Gravely. Burial followed at the Halladay Cemetery, Elgin.
The pallbearers were William Stevens, Bruce Blackman, Darrell Bond, Mark Bond, Jeff Bond and David Bond. The honorary pallbearers were Dr. J.W. Kerr, Beryl Kerr, Hilda Lake, June Coates, Wendy Delauriers and William Gravely Jr.
Memorial donations were directed to St. Paul's Anglican Church or charities of the donors' choice.
Mary Partington, 44
Mary Elizabeth Partington, 44, of Ottawa, died of cancer October 23, 2002 at the Elizabeth Bruyere Health Centre, Ottawa.
She was born February 10, 1958, in Brockville to Peter O'Shaughnessy and the former Vera Garvey (of Mayo, Que.). She attended St. Francis Xavier School, St. Mary School and Brockville Collegiate Institute. During her high school years she was one of the pioneer oarswomen of the Brockville Rowing Club. She and other members of her crew remained friends all of her life.
She then attended St. Lawrence College, Cornwall, where she graduated as a medical secretary in 1978. She worked for a short time in medical records at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, Brockville, then went to Calgary, Alberta, to work at the Foothills Hospital, where she remained for eight years.
Returning to Ottawa in 1985 she joined the Ottawa Civic Hospital Heart Institute, in the anesthesiology department, for many years, then transferred to gerontology for the past two years, until her illness in September 2001.
In 1995 she married Kenneth Partington in Ottawa and their child, Brodie Thomas, became the joy of her life.
She was greatly admired by her co-workers and developed many special friendships during her career. She had a gentle, kind nature and loved her family and friends.
Mrs. Partington is survived by her husband Ken, son Brodie, parents Peter and Vera O'Shaughnessy of Brockville, and siblings Michael O'Shaughnessy and wife Inez of Brockville, Patrick O'Shaughnessy and wife Ramona of Kingston, Peter John O'Shaughnessy and wife Nora of Ottawa, Martha O'Shaughnessy and husband Sandy Hunter of Luxembourg, Tom O'Shaughnessy and wife Mary Lynn of Oakville, Sheila O'Shaughnessy of Brockville, Sharon McCabe and husband Michael of Brockville and Anna Marie O'Shaughnessy and husband Dominicque Boivin of Toronto.
She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts, including her aunt Sister Anne O'Shaughnessy SSJ of Pembroke, and many cousins.
Other survivors are her in-laws, Brodie and Eva Partington, of North Battleford, Sask., and sister-in-law Susan Lewis and husband Andrew of Salt Spring Island, B.C.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where a ceremony in celebration of her life was officiated by Father Rob Arsenault, pastor of Spencerville and North Augusta parishes. A eulogy was given by Dr. J.E. Wynands of Ottawa, followed by a poem by her husband Ken. Burial followed in the family plot in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Donald Lever, 69
Donald Moffatt "Don" Lever, 69, died August 2, 2002 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital after a 15-month illness with brain cancer. His wife and two brothers-in-law were at his side.
He was born September 30, 1933, in Windsor, Ont., the son of Wally Lever and the former Muriel Sharpe. He was educated mainly in Windsor, then attended Queen's University for his bachelor of science in electrical engineering.
He worked at Automatic Electric in Brockville from 1955 to 1961. During that period he met Marilyn Empey and they were married October 15, 1960, in Wall Street United Church, Brockville.
Late in 1961, Mr. Lever joined IBM and worked in Toronto.
In 1965 he was transferred to Ottawa, where his children, Linda and David, attended school.
In 1980 the family moved to Markham where Mr. Lever worked as a programmer and systems analyst until he retired in 1992.
He and his wife built a home on Temperance Lake and settled into a happy retirement.
He had many interests - astronomy, music of all sorts, reading, theatre, woodworking, playing bridge, traveling, camping and bird watching.
He also cross-stitched many beautiful pieces.
Mr. Lever is survived by his wife Marilyn Lever, brother Robert of Windsor, daughter Linda Robertson and husband Matthew of Milton, son David Lever and wife Carol of Aurora, and four grandchildren, Morgan and Ainsley Robertson and Ellen and Michael Lever.
Also surviving are his brothers-in-law Ellis Empey and wife Marilyn, Keith Empey and wife Anne, and Lorne Empey and wife Heather.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where on August 7 the celebration of his life was held, with Cathy Paul, of Wall Street United Church, officiating.
Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
Memorial donations to the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care and Canadian Cancer Society were gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Jim Thompson, 71
KEMPTVILLE -- James "Jim" Lorne Thompson, 71, of RR 2, Kemptville (Heckston), owner of Thompson Bus Lines, died October 4, 2002 at Winchester District Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Ottawa on January 17, 1931, the son of Kenneth Thompson and the former Clara Bennett. He began his school years in a one-room schoolhouse in the village of Heckston, moving on to Kemptville for high school. After graduating, he worked on the family farm.
Eventually he entered the workforce outside the farm gate and over the years laid his hand to a variety of jobs. He went on a harvest excursion to western Canada, drove a milk truck for Nate Steward, worked for Ontario Hydro and did construction work with Stan Price and later on the St. Lawrence Seaway project.
Meanwhile, he married Lois Dillabaugh on September 1, 1956, and they had two children.
In 1961 he decided to try something new. He purchased a school bus from Angus McCrea and for the next five years, farming and school bus driving were his life. Then a farming accident in 1966 resulted in the loss of his right hand. With farming more difficult now, he chose to focus his energy on busing children to and from school.
It proved a fruitful decision: over the next 35 years, with the help of his wife, the business grew to include 50 school buses and two depots, one in Kemptville (Thompson Bus Lines) and one in Iroquois (Dundas Bus Service), and highway coaches. As an extension of the touring coaches, he also formed a travel agency, Dundas Tours, with the help of friend Freda Mellan.
In the 1970s, a few trips to Florida got him hooked on the warm alternative to Canadian winters. Always ready to take on a challenging business venture, he linked up with a few friends and business partners to develop a trailer park in an old orange grove. Citrus Hill RV Park was born.
Mr. Thompson enjoyed touring the park on his personal golf cart, visiting with all the interesting people who came to stay there from all parts of Ontario and the northern U.S.
As years passed, he shifted his interest from busing to helping his sons operate and expand the family farm. He also found time to attend antique steam and equipment shows and began to collect old farm tractors, equipment and tools. He referred to this pastime as "Jim's Junk for Joy."
Although diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999, he continued to play a major role in the family farm operation and remained active until shortly before his death, enjoying the company of friends and family at the home he shared with his wife in the village of Heckston.
Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife Lois, sons Barry and wife Joanne and Garry and wife Angie, and grandchildren Bryn and Dylan, all of Heckston. Also surviving are his brothers, Don and wife Clara and Ray and wife Ruth, and three sisters, Phyllis Theriault and husband Cliff, Linda Moore and husband Doug and Lois Simpson and husband Bob, as well as brother-in-law Trevor Dillabaugh. He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothea.
Friends called at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Rolston Chapel, in Kemptville, and a Masonic service was held there on October 7. The funeral was in the Rolston Chapel on October 8, with Rev. Sterling Irvine officiating. Burial followed at South Gower Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Russ Baker, Bill Albers, Bill Shaver, Gord Weedmark, John Palmer and Ralph Stacey.
