PRESCOTT -- Sam Judd Covey, a former school board chairman and an accountant who shared his business acumen with high school students, died December 7, 2002 at Brockville General Hospital. He was 82.
He was born April 20, 1920, at Athens to Frank Brillus Covey and Iva Judd.
Mr. Covey moved to Kingston in childhood and completed his education there, graduating from Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute in 1939.
Mr. Covey enlisted in the army in 1940 and served at CFB Kingston Military Headquarters for the duration of the Second World War, reaching the rank of Sergeant Major.
He married Laura Talbot, whom he met at his church young people's society, in 1941.
After the war, Mr. Covey entered the accounting program at Queen's University and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1947.
He worked as accounting supervisor at DuPont, Kingston, until 1956 and then as accounting superintendent at DuPont, Maitland, until 1968.
Mr. Covey then pursued a lifelong passion: teaching. He taught business subjects at North Grenville and then South Grenville District High School until 1981.
Mr. Covey made many contributions to his community. He was chairman of the former Leeds-Grenville School Board, founded the Air Cadets Prescott Squadron, served on the library board, and volunteered with organizations including St. Paul's United Church and Walker House, Wellington House Nursing Home, the Victorian Order of Nurses and Boundary Street Public School.
His family was the focus of his life. Mr. Covey enjoyed visiting with his extended family, particularly on two recent Caribbean cruises and a Christmas trip to Hawaii.
He had many interests, including bridge, making fine furniture with his lathe, fishing, traveling, cottage life, and learning and communicating on the Internet.
Mr. Covey is survived by his daughters Linda Locke (Stan) of Mississauga, Susan Williams (David) of Prescott and April Cox (Clayton) of Vancouver, and grandchildren Timothy Locke (Melissa), David Locke (Joy), Tracy Williams, Cory Williams, Devin Cox and Graham Cox.
He was predeceased by his wife, Laura, parents and two brothers.
Friends visited at the Chris Slater Funeral Home. The funeral was at St. Paul's United Church December 10 with Rev. Blair Paterson officiating. Interment followed at Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston.
Memorial donations were directed to St. Paul's United Church and Walker House.
Reg Pankhurst, 77
Reginald Edgar Pankhurst, who fought in Europe and Korea, died December 11, 2002 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital after a year-long illness. He was 77.
He was born June 20, 1925, in Ottawa to Percy Pankhurst and Mae Sargent.
Mr. Pankhurst, who was known as Reg, served in Normandy, France, Italy, Germany and Holland during the Second World War, and in the Korean War.
After the war, he went to the United States, working as a painter and decorator in the Baltimore, Maryland area.
Mr. Pankhurst came to Brockville in 1985. The Clarissa Street resident enjoyed playing cards.
He is survived by his wife, Bernice, daughter Violet Gibson of Mallorytown, grandchildren Monique Johnson (Jeff) and Ben Reynolds of Watertown, N.Y, and great-grandchild Sarah. Also surviving are brothers Garnet (Geraldine) of North Augusta, Percy of Victoria, B.C., Clarence (Patricia) of Brockville, sisters Vera Kline (Lloyd) of North Augusta and Lillian Root (Clark) of Mallorytown and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Pankhurst was predeceased by his parents, brothers Norman and Ronald and sister Violet Hare.
The funeral was December 13 in the Irvine Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Lawrence Croswell of Standard Church officiating.
Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
George Armstrong, 88
SPENCERVILLE -- George Edward Armstrong of Spencerville, who spent his life farming in the Shanly area, died December 12, 2002 age 88.
He was born April 29, 1914, to Alex Armstrong and Jaramina Foot in Matilda Township.
Mr. Armstrong's family say that he spent his life doing what he enjoyed most - working his farm in the Shanly area. He was also a milk transport driver, taking milk from farmers to the dairy.
He enjoyed fishing, bingo, playing cards, watching wrestling and visiting the casino. He had a keen interest in all kinds of machinery and enjoyed repairing farm equipment.
Mr. Armstrong is survived by his wife, Ruth, daughter Edith Sipes of Morrisburg, George Armstrong Jr. of Cardinal, Stephen and Brenda Armstrong of Winchester, Barbara Armstrong of Spencerville, Audrey Typhair of Oxford Mills, and Linda Mawhinney and Anne Winters, both of Brockville.
He had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral was in the chapel of the Grant Brown Funeral Home December 14 with Rev. Donald Wachenshwanz officiating and organ music by Miriam Woodland.
CARDINAL -- Clayton Seeley, a longtime CASCO employee, died December 23, 2002 at St. Lawrence Lodge, age 88, after a short illness.
He was born April 19, 1914, to David Seeley and Sarah Hess at Rowena, Ontario. He spent his lifetime in the Cardinal area.
He married Pearl Simpson February 20, 1936, at Iroquois.
Mr. Seeley worked as a pipefitter at the Canada Starch Company for 37 years. In retirement, he enjoyed hobby farming, playing cards, gardening, fishing, feeding stray animals and smoking his pipe as he sat on his veranda, watching the world go by and waving at people he knew.
He identified with the United Church and was a member of the village senior citizens group.
Mr. Seeley is survived by his daughter Agnes Boyd (Ken) of RR3 Prescott and sons Bill (Barb), Frank (Nina), Gerald (Lynne) and Dale (Marianne), all of Cardinal. He had 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, son Nelson Aden, grandson Alan Boyd, and brothers Mahlon, Coleman and Douglas.
The funeral was at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home December 27 with Rev. Arlyce Schiebout officiating. Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Martin Stobo, Alex Seeley, Greg Seeley, Norm Plume, Peter Boyd and Don MacLeod.
Bill Bath, 90
FORTHTON -- William Turner Bath, who worked at Universal Grinding Wheel for more than four decades, died December 6, 2002 at his daughter's home after a two-year illness. He was 90.
He was born July 7, 1912, to Josephus Bath and Georgina Turner in Brockville and spent his first six years there. He lived with his grandparents in Franktown from age six to 12 before returning to Brockville, where he completed his education.
Mr. Bath married Elma Hazel Perrin June 10, 1935, in Brockville.
He worked at Universal Grinding Wheel, formerly Lion Grinding Wheels, for 42 years, retiring in 1977. Mr. Bath was the St. John Ambulance first aid volunteer at the plant, dubbed "Doc" by his co-workers. He was president of the recreation club for many years, organizing picnics, dances and parties and coaching a broomball team.
Mr. Bath was one of the founding members of the Leeds and District Western Horse Association and had 13 horses over the years, some raised from newborn foals. He was proud of the trophies and ribbons he won at local fairs and horse shows.
He played hockey in his younger years and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, tinkering with small electrical appliances and traveling, including many trips to Florida with friends and family. He was also an avid gardener who supplied vegetables to local restaurants after his retirement.
In retirement, Mr. Bath was a Big Brother, spending many hours with his Little Brother Jeff McCrae bowling and going to baseball and hockey games. In his later years, he enjoyed conversations with the "coffee boys" on Wednesday afternoons, when, he would laugh, they solved all the world's problems.
Mr. Bath was predeceased by his wife, Elma, daughter Donna Dochstader, twin boys in infancy and sisters Adalene Gibson and Hazel Shotter.
He is survived by his daughters Joan Moffatt and Olene Pettem (Carl), grandchildren Greg Moffatt, Will Pettem (Cathy), Carolyn Smith (Kevin), six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was in the Irvine Funeral Home chapel December 9 with Pastor Roger White of Highway Pentecostal Church, Pastor David Downing and Rev. Jean Baker of Lyn United Church officiating. Interment followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Jeff McCrae, William Foan, Nick Seredine, Greg Moffatt, Will Pettem and Kevin Smith.
Memorial donations were directed to Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
