CARDINAL -- John Henry Rylands, a retired CASCO employee who enjoyed walking through Cardinal greeting his neighbours every day, died at Brockville General Hospital December 1, 2002 after a five-month illness. He was 64.
Known as Jack, he was born November 1, 1938, in Shanly to Orville Rylands and Audrey Ogilvie and spent his life in and around Cardinal.
He married Virginia (Ginny) Milligan August 6, 1966, at St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church, Cardinal.
Mr. Rylands worked as a train engineer for three years and as a millwright at Canada Starch Company for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105, Cardinal.
After his retirement in 1998, he enjoyed walking through the village visiting, playing cards at the legion, golfing with friends and spending time with his grandchildren.
Mr. Rylands is survived by his mother, wife, children Mike (Heidi) and Mark (Debbie), all of Cardinal, brother George (Sharon) of Blue Church, sisters Isobel (Don McInnis) of Rumsley, Alta., Karon (Gordon Warren) of Mallorytown, Carol (Rob Bromfield) of Kingston and Kathy (Barry Reid) of Brockville, and five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his father, brothers Doug and Roland, sister Betty Faye and stepfather Ernie Harper.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Cardinal. The funeral was December 4 at St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church, Cardinal with Rev. Geoff Howard and Rev. Jack Urquart officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Rob Bromfield, Barry Reid, Gordon Warren, John Vanshie, Marty Hamilton and Andy DeJong. Honourary pallbearers were Charles Leizert, Jack Bennett, Merv Smith and Steve Barkley.
Memorial donations were directed to Hospice of Providence Palliative Care or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Scott Van't Foort, 17
MORRISBURG -- Scott Van't Foort, 17, of RR 1, Brinston, died in a motor vehicle accident on January 19, 2003.
He was born February 5, 1985 in Winchester to Harry Van't Foort and the former Iena Hoftyzer. He moved with his family from the Chesterville area to RR 1, Brinston in 1989.
He was a student at Seaway District High School, Iroquois, where he was involved in many school activities, including student council. He had planned to study history and languages at university. He loved to read and share his thoughts and feelings with those around him, both verbally and on paper.
He was an active member of the youth group at St. James Anglican Church, Morrisburg.
He is survived by his parents, brother Gregory and sister Julie at home, paternal grandparents Gerrit and Maatje Van't Foort of RR 1, Chesterville, maternal grandparents Mae and Hank Vanderhoning of Nova Scotia, a very special friend Samantha Boone, several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Friends called at the Community Christian Church on January 21. The funeral was held January 22 at St. James Anglican Church, Morrisburg, with Rev. Bill Byers, Rev. Pat Martin and Rev. Clarence Witten officiating. Burial followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston.
The pallbearers were Julian Pietersma, J.J. Hollister, Jeremy Schnurr, Justin Van't Foort, Chris Marshall, Sean Marshall, David Hamilton, Warren Schneckenburger and Frankie Buwalda.
Memorial donations were directed to the Timothy Christian School or the Scott Van't Foort Bursary Fund.
Joe Preston, 81
ATHENS -- Jerrold Leo "Joe" Preston, 81, of RR 4, Athens, died January 13, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital following a major stroke. He had been ill for four years.
Born December 8, 1921, in Edwardsburg Township, he was the son of William Preston and the former Josephine Robichaud. He grew up at RR 3, Prescott, and moved to Brockville in 1946.
On February 12, 1946, he married Vi Green in Mallorytown United Church. He lived in Brockville for two years, then moved to the Athens area, where he lived the next 55 years.
In 1953 he served for six months with the 48th Highlanders of Canada at Aldershot, Nova Scotia.
Mr. Preston worked for the W.B. Reynolds Coal Co. as a propane gas fitter for 25 years, at Phillips Cables for six years and on the cleaning staff at St. Lawrence Lodge for eight years. He retired 16 years ago.
He raised geese, turkeys, ducks and chickens to sell at Christmas and also raised beef cattle. He enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling.
He identified with Christ Church, Athens.
He is survived by his wife Vi Preston, brother Clifford Preston and wife Marion of RR 2, Prescott, and sister Josephine Collett and husband Austin of Maynard, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are three brothers-in-law, Wilfred Halladay, Donald Mercier and Harvey Green, and five sisters-in-law, May White, Jessie Green, Trixie Mercier, Wilma Halladay and Mary Green, several great-nieces and great-nephews..
He was pre-deceased by four sisters, Korleen Ewart (who lived at RR 2, Prescott), Ruth Fortier (Prescott), Madeline Gentile (Toronto) and Hilda Seeley (Ogdensburg).
Friends called at the Judson Funeral Home, Athens, where on January 15 the funeral was held, with Rev. Peggy Hudson officiating. Burial will be at Glen Elbe Cemetery in the spring.
The pallbearers were Donald, Greg and Geoff Mercier, Rod Greene, Tony Reuvers and Dave Leizert. Honorary pallbearers were Dave Green, Burton White, Arnold Tedford, Hubert Cowle and Larry Halladay.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Kidney Foundation.
Marion Connell, 77
Marion Irene Connell, 77, formerly of Lyn and a retired Black and Decker employee, died December 31, 2002 at the Huronia District Hospital in Midland, Ont.
She was born May 19, 1925, in Lyn to Harold Joseph Pettem and the former Edna Marie Shipman. She was raised in the Lyn area and helped on the family farm.
When she was 17, she started working at the J.B. Stetson Hat Company in Brockville for a short time, then moved to the Phillips Cables plant in 1943. Later she went to work at Automatic Electric. She spent a total of 12 and a half years at those two plants.
On September 21, 1956, she married William "Bill" Norton Connell in St. John's United Church, Brockville.
She worked part time in numerous restaurants in Brockville, a good amount of that time at the New York Cafe on King Street.
After her children were grown, she started working at Black and Decker and retired from that company as an inspector.
Mrs. Connell lived in Brockville for 25 years, but in 1981 she moved to Lyn.
She identified with St. John's United Church and enjoyed camping and motor trips to Florida. She had also taken a vacation to the Bahamas. She enjoyed woodworking, her home and her family.
Mrs. Connell was predeceased by her husband Bill on October 9, 1986, by her son Larry Connell and her sister Jean Avery.
She is survived by three sons, Stephen Connell and wife Nicole of Port McNicoll, Ont., Tim Connell and wife Susan of RR 4, Mallorytown, and Robert Connell and wife Phoebe of Brockville, as well as grandchildren Ted, Pamela, Patricia, William, Samantha, Robin, Cody and Lee and great-grandchildren Trevor and Devin.
Also surviving are her brother Alvin Pettem and wife Bernice of Napanee and sister Grace Rowsome and husband Horton of Brockville, as well as several nieces and nephews and good friends, Evelyn "Lyn" and Garnet Connors of Brockville.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, where on January 3 the funeral was held, with Rev. David Davidson officiating. The scriptures were read by Rev. Myra Garvin, of St. John's United Church. During the service Tom Wilson, for whose Western All-Stars group Mrs. Connell's husband had played, led in the singing of a congregational hymn and also sang a solo.
Burial was at the Lyn Cemetery. The pallbearers were Ted, William and Robin Connell, Harvey Sauve, Garnet Connors, Alvin Delorme and Cory Pettem.
Memorial donations were directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Doris McCuen, 82
ATHENS -- Doris Mae McCuen, 82, formerly of McIntosh Mills and Crosby, died December 20, 2002 at Brockville General Hospital with family members at her side.
She was born April 17, 1920 in Flamborough, Ont., the daughter of Cramer Zimmerman and the former Edyth Gregston. She was raised and educated in Carlisle.
On November 25, 1939, in Freelton, Ont., she married Bill McCuen, an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. Over the years, she lived in Newboro, Gananoque, Brockville, McIntosh Mills (1972-1992) and Crosby. A year ago she became a resident of the Maple View Lodge at Athens, although she returned to her home in Crosby from time to time.
She was employed as a cook in various restaurants and resorts in this area throughout her career. During the past 10 years she had enjoyed her involvement with seniors groups in the Crosby area, especially the many card parties that were offered weekly.
She is survived by her five children, Nancy LaSalle and husband Mac of Kingston, Gary McCuen and wife Levina of Crosby, Paul and wife Cris of Kingston, Wayne McCuen and wife Deborah of Crosby, and Patti Carter and husband Brian of Mallorytown.
Also surviving are grandchildren LuAnn, Michael, Chris, Robin, Kacey, Nicole, Elisabeth, Hannah, Paul, Sean and Daniel, and great-grandchildren Zane, Quinn, Coral, Connor, Mia, Benjamin and Kaylee.
She is also survived by two sisters, Edith "Edie" Pace of Hamilton, Ont., and Evelyn Stewart of Dubois, Penn., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. McCuen was predeceased by her parents, husband Bill, six brothers and three sisters.
A graveside service was held at the New Glen Elbe Cemetery, near Athens, on December 24, and a memorial service in celebration of her life was held at the Newboro Community Hall on January 5.
Memorial donations were directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Some arrangements were entrusted to the Scotland Funeral Home, Elgin.
