Reginald Anderson Hitsman, 78, veteran of the Second World War and formerly employed at several Brockville manufacturing plants, died January 4, 2004 at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre in Ottawa.
He was born April 30, 1925, in Winchester to Bernard Hitsman and the former Martha Anderson. He came to Brockville with his family when he was a child and attended Prince of Wales School here.
He volunteered for the army when he was 16 and served on active duty overseas during the Second World War until his discharge in 1945. During his service he was wounded by shrapnel in his head and leg.
Over the years he worked at Smart's foundry, on the railroad, for Phillips Cables and for Gilbarco, where he was working when he retired in 1990.
He married Eileen Lake on October 5, 1951, in Brockville. They built a house on MacDougall Road, RR 4, Brockville, where they remained. His wife died on November 11, 2001.
Mr. Hitsman belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion, Brockville, Branch 96. As a young man he played first base on a Brockville baseball team. In his retirement he liked to walk daily, enjoyed his dogs, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
He is survived by two sons, Colin Hitsman and Steven Hitsman and his wife Cynthia, all of Ottawa, as well as two grandchildren, Amanda and Eric.
Also surviving are two sisters, Melba Lewis of Mobile, Alabama, and Connie Chittenden of Brockville, several nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-law, Marion Forbes of Perth and Florence Frizell of Brockville.
Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his parents.
The Brockville Legion held a memorial service on January 6 at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville. The funeral was in the Barclay Chapel on January 7, with Rev. Stan Riley officiating. Daughter-in-law Cynthia Hitsman gave the eulogy. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery, just west of the city.
The pallbearers were Steven, Colin and Eric Hitsman, Ken O'Grady, Geoff Chittenden and Tom Schweig.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre.
Winifred Gordon, 96
Winifred Ella Gordon, 96, of Sherwood Park Manor, died October 15, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital after a brief illness with pneumonia.
She was born June 18, 1907 in Caterham, England, to Walter Thomas Inkpen and the former Sophia Pocock. She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1912 and was raised and educated in Toronto.
She worked as a stenographer and typist for DeHaviland Aircraft and then for the Department of Transportation and Communications until her retirement in June 1972.
She was married to Peter Gordon on September 2, 1939 in Toronto. He died in November 1955. They had one daughter.
Mrs. Gordon identified with the Christian Science organization and later Centennial Road Standard Church. She volunteered to take minutes for many charities and committees over the years. She was an active volunteer for the Carefree Seniors Lodge, in Toronto.
She moved from Toronto to the Legion Village in Brockville in 1989. In December 2001 she moved to the Rosedale Retirement Centre, and this September she moved to Sherwood Park Manor.
She cherished her family, was an avid card player and loved to knit. She provided knitted dishcloths and covered hangers for many friends and organizations. She was a very cheerful woman who had a positive outlook on life.
Mrs. Gordon is survived by her daughter Janice Penney and husband Lindsay of Brockville and two grandchildren, Lorna Penney of Brockville and Gordon Bruce Penney of Toronto, as well as many nieces/nephews.
She was predeceased by five sisters, Elsie Argue, Doris Cattermul, Marjorie Davidson, Irene Inkpen and Phillis Scaife, and one brother, Jack Inkpen.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where on October 22 the funeral was held, with Pastor Wayne Briggs, of Centennial Road Standard Church, officiating.
Burial was at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, on October 23, with Rev. Brian Brown, United Church, officiating.
Memorial donations were directed to the Leeds-Grenville Humane Society and Project Reach Out at Centennial Church.
Sandra French, 62
Sandra Iona French (nee Pyke), 62, died November 27, 2003 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital after a two-year illness.
She was born November 2, 1941 in Brockville to Connor Pyke and the former Esmé Andress. She attended St. Francis Xavier Separate School and Brockville Collegiate Institute.
She joined the Canadian Armed Forces, serving as a fighter control operator from July 1960 to July 1963.
She then worked in Toronto and Ottawa for a number of years as a security officer and security manager. She became vice-president of Pinkerton's Ottawa region.
Ms. French was a member of the Ottawa Women's Network and was named its woman of the year in 1997.
Her interests were her family and her pet cats, Pooh and Tigger.
She is survived by her sisters, Shirley Buote of Brockville and Joan Pakeman of Maitland, 11 nieces/nephews and 11 great-nieces/nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Patricia Lumsden and Sue Anne Eady, and nephew Bryan Lumsden.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville. The funeral was held November 28 at St. Francis Xavier Church, with Father Brian J. Price officiating. Burial followed at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, just west of Brockville.
The pallbearers were Chris Pakeman, Jeff Pakeman, Christopher Warren, Shelli Warren, David Buote and Earl May.
Memorial donations were directed to Hospice of Providence Palliative Care at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital.
Bob McMachen, 78
LYNDHURST -- Robert "Bob" James McMachen, 78, of RR 2, Lyndhurst, died of pneumonia on December 18, 2003 at the Brockville General Hospital. He had been ill for a few months.
He was born on October 8, 1925, in Lyndhurst to Cyril McMachen and the former Loiva Pope, both of Lyndhurst, and was raised and educated north of Lyndhurst on old Briar Hill Road. There he spent his life working on the homestead farm, running a dairy operation and later raising and selling beef.
Mr. McMachen was a member of Lyndhurst United Church. He also canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society for several years.
His interests included attending auction sales, fiddle music, dancing and spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. He also enjoyed playing the guitar in his younger days. He could quote without error many items of memory work from public school readers.
He is survived by his wife, the former Viola Sargeant, whom he married on August 5, 1953, in the Perth United Church manse.
Also surviving are two sons, Milton and wife Kelly and Glenn and wife Kerry, all of Lyndhurst, and two daughters, Darlene Curtis and husband Ernest of Delta and Karen Pitura and husband Dave of Merrickville, as well as 10 grandchildren.
He is survived as well by sisters Olive Mustard of Lyn, Laura Berry and husband Ken of Gananoque and Vera Niblock of Delta, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Clarence, Burton and Bernard, and sisters Gertrude Snider, Peryl Mustard, Ruby Yateman, Marion Gray and Bernice Berry.
Friends called at the Scotland Funeral Home in Elgin on December 21. The funeral was held December 22 at the funeral home, with Rev. Connie McNamara officiating. Burial was at the Morton Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Neil Banks, Delos Gipson, Russell Moorhead, Bob Smith, Sid Vanderwerf and Doug Warren.
Donations were made to the Lyndhurst United Church, Morton Cemetery and other charities.
Marge Plunkett, 72
Marge Plunkett, 72, of RR 3, Mallorytown, died October 17, 2003 at Providence Continuing Care Centre-St. Vincent de Paul Hospital.
She was born Margaret Mae Whiteland on May 16, 1931, in Brockville General Hospital, to James Edward Whiteland and the former Geraldine Nina Andress. She was raised and educated at Prince of Wales and Victoria public schools and Brockville Collegiate Institute.
On July 21, 1951, she married Harold Charles Plunkett.
Mrs. Plunkett worked as a stockbroker's assistant for 27 years, retiring 13 years ago, when she became disabled.
She identified with First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed bowling, knitting, cottaging, boating and skating.
She is survived by her husband Harold, son Thomas James Plunkett of Mallorytown and daughter Tracy Elaine Plunkett of Elgin, as well as four grandchildren. Also surviving is her son-in-law, Paul Schliesmann.
She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers Frederick and Gerald Whiteland.
The funeral was held October 22 at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, with Rev. James Peter Jones of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial followed at Oakland Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Bob Licht, Ron Ball, Roger Metcalfe, Ed Alberry, Steve Lloyd and Bob Greenwood. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Noonan, Buster Burns, Jim Fraser, Clarence Blanchard, Matthew Schliesmann, Adam Schliesmann and Rachel Schliesmann.
