Lena Yvonne Bermingham (nee MacKinnon), 78, died of breast cancer at Brockville General Hospital on October 17, 2002 after a two-year illness.
She was born May 20, 1924, at East Lake Ainslie, Cape Breton, N.S., the daughter of David Archibald MacKinnon and the former Annie Butterworth. She grew up on the family farm, which she loved. Her childhood nickname was "Perpetual Motion."
She joined the army in 1942, together with her sisters, Mary and Agnes. She worked as a dental assistant and earned the rank of corporal. She was stationed in Halifax, where she met James Bermingham. They were married in 1944 in Halifax.
She lived in Montreal, where she raised seven children, one of whom, Colleen, died of cancer at the age of nine in 1966.
In 1992, she and her husband moved to Brockville to be near two of their daughters. She identified with St. Francis Xavier and St. John Bosco parishes in the city. She was an avid flower gardener, knitted slippers frequently for her invalid sister, enjoyed trips to Florida for seven years in a camper, celebrated her Nova Scotia roots and Scottish heritage, and above all enjoyed hosting family gatherings, particularly at Christmas when 33 family members would come together.
Mrs. Bermingham is survived by her husband, Jim; two sons, Jim Bermingham and wife Bonnie of Beaconsfield, Que., and Brian Bermingham and wife Cathy of Nepean; and four daughters, Mary Anne Bowman and husband Rick and Susan Irwin and husband Donald, all of Brockville, Teresa Bermingham and husband Ron Peterson of Navan, and Sharon Headey and husband Blake of Minnesota.
Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and five sisters, Mary Egan of Kanata, Agnes Meeley of St. Catharines, Irene MacKinnon of Sydney, N.S., Cinderella Munro of Whycocomagh, N.S., and Sheila MacPhail of Newton Highlands, Mass., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides her daughter, she was predeceased by her brother Lauchlin, and her brother Edgar died a few days after she did.
The funeral mass was celebrated October 21 at St. John Bosco Parish Centre, with Father B. Joachim officiating and Deacon Bill Heasley and seminarian Stephane Pouliot assisting. Her eulogy was delivered by brother-in-law Bill Egan and all her children and grandchildren participated in the service. Piper Karen Mahon played before the service and the pallbearers were Jason Bermingham, Jon Bowman, Justin Irwin and Brenden Headey.
Cremation was arranged and some of her ashes were buried at Cote des Neiges, Montreal, at her daughter's grave on November 16; the remainder will be buried at her maternal grandmother's grave at East Lake Ainslie Cemetery, Cape Breton, N.S. in the spring.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville. Memorial donations were directed to the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre.
Frank Algar, 79
Frank Ivor Algar, 79, died peacefully at his home September 29, 2002. He had been ill with cancer.
He was born in Montreal on December 16, 1922, the son of John Arthur Algar and the former Eleanor Tagg. While working at his first job, at the Montreal Gazette, he took night courses at George Williams College. Shortly after graduation, he joined the army in 1942 and served overseas until 1946, during the Second World War.
By 1949 he was working as a customs agent in Yukon, where he met Agnes Grant. They were married in Whitehorse in 1949 and started a family. In 1956 they moved to Ottawa, where he continued to be active in many organizations and community causes.
Brockville became home in 1985 and he pursued his love of sailing. His interest in traveling and people led him to take many trips all over the world.
Mr. Algar persistently and energetically advocated for others. He was known for his sense of humour and especially his mastery of puns.
He gave his support and experience to numerous organizations in Brockville and Ottawa, particularly the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, which provides an Award of Merit in his honour annually.
He is survived by Agnes Algar, his wife of 53 years, and six children: Stella Hawkins and husband Bruce of Guelph, Evelyn Algar and husband Fred of Ottawa, Mark Algar and wife Liz of Allen, Texas, Cynthia Algar of Vancouver, Mary Algar of Vernon, B.C., and Heather Green of Ottawa.
Also surviving are grandchildren Amanda, Melanie, Grant, Jonathan, Russell, Dylan, Tamara, Christine, Heather, David, Philip and Christopher, as well as his sisters Pat Couillard of Burlington and Bea Stephens of Coquitlam, B.C., and numerous family and friends.
He was predeceased by his sisters Stella Algar and Hazel Hadden and brother Peter Rugge.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, on October 4. A celebration of his life was held October 5 at Trinity Anglican Church, Brockville, with Rev. Faun Harriman officiating. Doug Mather, Peter Duchesne and Joy Morning joined with family members to speak of Mr. Algar's commitment to the hard of hearing, to people with disabilities and to community organizations, as well as his generosity of spirit and his zest for life.
Burial was at St. James Anglican Church cemetery, Maitland.
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 Seeleys 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.
James Duncan McInnes, 70
MAITLAND -- James Duncan McInnes, a retired stationary engineer and Korean War veteran, died of cancer October 16, 2002 at Brockville General Hospital. He was 70.
He was born August 25, 1932, at Dixon's Corners to William Mackenzie McInnes and Ellen Smith and was raised and educated in Hexton.
Mr. McInnes served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1955. He married Marion Dunster on his 24th birthday, August 25, 1956.
He worked as a class 4 stationary engineer at the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital until his retirement in 1992.
The Sarah Street resident identified with Maitland Community Reformed Church. Mr. McInnes enjoyed all sports but his main interest was spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. McInnes is survived by his wife, Marion, sons David (Constance) of South Mountain and Dennis of Maitland and daughters Denise Edwards (John) of Maitland, Wendy Desjardin (Graham) of RR1 Brockville, Shelley Roles (Brian) of Prescott, Diana Deschambault (Harold) of Richmond and Sandra Roode (Daniel) of Domville.
Also surviving are brother Donald of Alberta and sisters Anne Murphy of Maitland and Carolyn Young of Kingston. Mr. McInnes had 12 grandchildren and five nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents.
The funeral was October 21 at the Irvine Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Sam Vanderschaaf officiating, followed by cremation. Interment at Roselawn Memorial Gardens was to follow at a later date.
Pallbearers were Donald Murphy, James Desjardin, Bryan Roles, Reginald Simpson, Anthony Edwards and David McInnes Jr.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
Ted Rafuse, 64
PRESCOTT -- Ted Rafuse, 64, retired DuPont employee, died November 10, 2002 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born on September 20, 1938 at Springhill, N.S., to Stennett "Stan" Rafuse and the former Audrey McCready. He married Carol Ross on May 30, 1959 in Prescott.
He was employed at DuPont Canada Inc.-Maitland Site as a chemical operator for 32 years and retired in 1996.
An avid golfer, he recently bagged his second hole-in-one. He volunteered as a hockey coach and was a member of the local Masonic lodge and the Prescott branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He is survived by his wife Carol, son Stennett and wife Kerry Wiltse, daughter Laurie Millward and husband Dave, grandson Stennett Carter Rafuse, sister Cheryl Running, stepbrother Art Geikie and stepsister Joy Currie, as well as several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Friends called at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, where on November 13 the funeral was held, with Rev. Jack Urquhart officiating. Cremation was at the Cataraqui crematorium.
The pallbearers were Bill, John and Richard Ross, Paul Davies, Jim Collison and Dave Millward.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke Foundation.
