MORRISBURG -- Bill Sheldrick, a longtime Ontario Hydro construction supervisor and the founder of Camp Sheldrick, died December 7, 2002 at the Winchester Hospital after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 72.
He was born February 9, 1930, in Gananoque to Irvine Sheldrick and Dorothy Larmour.
Mr. Sheldrick married Joan Smith July 1, 1954. The couple lived on Sheldrick Road for 43 years.
He was a construction supervisor with Ontario Hydro for 42 years. He supervised the construction and upgrading of electrical distribution and transformer stations across Ontario and was involved in the operation of nuclear power generation stations. He helped many fellow community members find work with Ontario Hydro and continued to work for the company as a consultant after his retirement in 1991.
Mr. Sheldrick became involved in scouting 30 years ago as a community troop leader. He served as assistant district commissioner for many years and president of the St. Lawrence District. With the help of people in the community and organizations including local Lions Clubs and Royal Canadian Legion branches, Mr. Sheldrick founded a youth camp on Nesbitt Road south of Winchester. He also organized an international scouting movement with troops from Pennsylvania, which continues as an annual exchange.
His family describe him as "truly inspiring" and willing to tackle any task, however big or small.
Mr. Sheldrick was a member of Excelsior Masonic Lodge and identified with Knox Presbyterian Church, where he was caretaker for more than 30 years and a church elder.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, and children Judy of Russell, Bill Jr. of Cornwall and Cindy Froats (Rick) and Paul, both of Morrisburg, and grandchildren Katrina, Kimberly, William, Bryan and Clayton. Also surviving are siblings Hilda Meek of Battersea, Russell (Theresa) of St. Catharines and David (Nancy) of Ottawa.
Mr. Sheldrick was predeceased by his parents and sister Jean Sheldrick.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg. A Masonic service was held December 10. The funeral was at Knox Presbyterian Church December 11 with Rev. Darren May officiating. Interment was at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Morrisburg.
Pallbearers were Rick Froats, Hartley Hodgson, Steve Coligan, Frank Albert, Donnie Lewis and Graham Houze. Honourary pallbearers were Sid Drenna, Lee Ouderkirk, Gerry Robinson and Stan Mabo.
Memorial donations to Scouts Canada would be appreciated by the family.
Charles Banford, 83
IROQUOIS -- Charles Weldon "Charlie" Banford, 83, died April 5, 2003 at the Ottawa Heart Institute Civic Campus.
He was born August 30, 1919 in Matilda Township to John Banford and the former Esther Smith. He was educated in a small public school, SS No. 10, in Matilda and Iroquois High School.
After graduating he worked a short time on local farms, during which time he met his future wife, Beatrice Rae. They were married February 7, 1940 in Iroquois, and then moved to Toronto, where he worked for Canadian Tire. At that time, employees wore roller skates while waiting on customers.
In the early 1940s he joined the armed forces and served in England during the Second World War.
Upon his return, he found work with the Toronto Transit Commission, first washing street cars, then driving buses. Then he transferred to Gray Coach and worked his way up the ranks to supervisor. He worked for the company for 34 years and often said it was the best company in the world to work for.
He joined the Masonic Lodge while living in Toronto and remained a member in good standing.
He lived in Perferlaw for 20 years after retiring from Gray Coach. Ten years ago he moved to Iroquois. He identified with the United Church.
Mr. Banford is survived by his wife, Beatrice Banford of Iroquois; brothers Alex and wife Marie and Ed and wife Marion, all of Smiths Falls, and Rae of RR 2, Brinston; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Clair and sister Marion Locke.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, where on April 7 the funeral was held, with Rev. Doug Carnegie officiating. Burial followed at Iroquois Point Cemetery.
The pallbearers were nephews Garry, Aaron, Lynden, Keith, Richard and John Banford.
Memorial donations to the Winchester Hospital and the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Oscar Gifford, 90
Oscar Samuel Gifford, 90, veteran of the Second World War, died March 21, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital, where he had been a patient for the past month. He was most recently a resident of Bridlewood Manor.
He was born October 4, 1912 in Greenbush, the son of William Noah Gifford and the former Maude Edith Brown. He lived most of his life in Brockville, attending local public schools.
On October 12, 1934, he married Marguerite Hobbs in Brockville and they were married for almost 60 years. She predeceased him on September 1, 1994.
In his youth he was a delivery boy for Fullerton's drug store, a bell hop at the Revere Hotel and a groundskeeper at the Brockville Country Club.
He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Army in 1940 and served in Germany, France, England and Holland until 1945. He was awarded the British Empire Medal by the Governor General and was also mentioned in dispatches. He was recently awarded the "Thank You Canada" medal for his participation in the liberation of Holland.
Mr. Gifford was employed by Canadian National Railways as a locomotive engineer and had been retired for 30 years. For many years he and his wife spent their winters in the southern United States.
He was a 58-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 in Brockville. He was also a lifetime member of Wall Street United Church and belonged to the Diamond Jubilee Seniors Club.
He enjoyed playing shuffleboard, darts and cards, and he loved to sing with the Bridlewood Manor Choir. Family get-togethers were special to him and he loved to spend time with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his sister Betty Shaw and husband Hubert, brother George Gifford and wife Donna and sisters-in-law Evelyn Gifford, Vivian Gifford, Peggy Gifford and Marion Hobbs Preston, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Marguerite, parents, sisters Dorothy Hobbs and Doris Blain and brothers Winston, Harold, Gerald, Jack, Burton, Robert and Ralph.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where on March 24 The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 held a remembrance service.
The funeral was held March 25 in the Barclay Chapel, with Rev. Alan Bennett officiating. Eulogies were given by Garry Gifford and Wendy Dunn and a poem was read by Michelle Miller. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
The pallbearers were Bill Gifford Sr., Jim, Garry, Carl and Geoff Gifford and Brent Herbison.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Canadian Cancer Society and Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
Sidney Spracklin, 81
Sidney Prescott Spracklin, 81, a retired tool and die maker, died February 28, 2003 at St. Lawrence Lodge after an illness lasting a year.
He was born in Charlottetown, Newfoundland on May 18, 1921, the son of Lockyer Spracklin and the former Blanche Bailey. His father died of tuberculosis and in 1922 his mother came to Toledo with her two sons and earned a living as a housekeeper.
When he was 16 years old, he was blinded in one eye after an accident with a rifle. Because of his partial blindness he did not serve in the Second World War.
He married Loretta Amelia Fabbri on May 18, 1945 in Trinity Anglican Church, Brockville.
For 47 years he worked as a tool and die maker, first at Phillips Cables and later at Automatic Electric (Microtel). He was never late, never sick and never missed a day of work. His work was excellent and precise, despite the lack of sight in one eye. He retired in 1986.
Mr. Spracklin was a partner with his brother Vince in a business that manufactured various types of plastic signs and accessories. He also had a home workshop with a wood and metal lathe and drill press, all of which he had made himself. He made his own boat, among other things.
He loved boating and fishing, both on the St. Lawrence and at Charleston Lake, where he was a member of the Olsena Fishing Club.
He identified with Trinity Anglican Church. A quiet man with a dry sense of humour, he most enjoyed being home with his family.
He is survived by his wife Loretta Spracklin and two children, Richard Sidney Spracklin and wife Darlene of Prince Rupert, B.C., and Sherrie-Lynn Spracklin and husband Bob Cowan of Brockville. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Savonna Spracklin at the University of Edmonton, Sidney Spracklin of Prince Rupert, B.C., and John Thomas Hook (son of Sherrie Spracklin) and wife Lynn of Vancouver, B.C.
He was predeceased by his father, Lockyer Spracklin, and his mother, Blanche Black, and his brother, Robert Vincent Spracklin.
A private service was held March 5 at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland, with Rev. Ron Horst, of Trinity Anglican Church officiating.
Memorial donations were directed to the Parkinson's Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, made arrangements.
Ernest Buote, 59
J. Ernest Buote, 59, of RR 1, Brockville, died January 21, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born March 12, 1943, in Tignish, P.E.I., the son of Walter Buote and the former Edna Gallant. He grew up in Tignish and fished with his father. At a young age he started hunting foxes with his two dogs Poncho and Cisco and sold the pelts to the Hudson's Bay Company.
He moved to Brockville in 1962. On February 20, 1965, he married Brenda Dye in Brockville and they lived in the Maitland area.
He obtained his electrical license with Maitland Electric. Later he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 115 and worked on various construction sites in the local area and throughout Ontario. He retired in 1997 due to failing health.
Mr. Buote enjoyed spending time with his family and his little dog Cooter, who gave him many hours of company and comfort. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing tricks on friends and co-workers and being tricked by them in return.
He is survived by his wife Brenda Buote; sons Daniel Buote and wife Nancy of RR 1, Prescott, and Joey Buote and wife Polly of Brockville; four grandchildren, Tracey, Tyler, Drew and Cody; brothers Melvin Buote and wife Bertha and Paul Buote and wife Olive of Tignish, and David Buote and wife Shirley of Brockville; sisters Edith Desroche and husband Alcide, Barbara Ann Perry and husband Ollen of Tignish and Kitty Leard and husband Robert of Alberton; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Peter and wife Diane.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville, on January 24. The funeral was held January 25 in St. Francis Xavier Church with Rev. Brian Price officiating. Burial was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.
The pallbearers were Daniel, Joey and David Buote, Harley Elliott, Rodney Langstaff and Roger Wing.
