Local butcher Ron Bolton, 66, died December 16, 2003 at Kingston General Hospital.
He was born Ronald Vernon David Bolton on June 20, 1937, in Tincap to William Wayne Bolton and the former Eva Irene Hudson. He attended Prince of Wales public school and Brockville Collegiate Institute.
He worked a short time in the meat department at Loblaws on King Street before serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1955 to 1960. On September 2, 1957, he married Elizabeth "Bette" Eaid in Sept Isles, Que.
In 1960 he returned to Brockville where he learned the butcher trade working for Loblaws and Dominion, then opened the meat department at the OK Economy Store. He started his own enterprise in 1983, known as Ron's Olde Fashioned Butcher Shoppe, in the Brockville Shopping Centre.
In 1993 he became ill with kidney failure and cancer but remained instrumental in establishing The Cutting Edge meat shop and Bolton's Meat and Deli. He was known for his creative ability and concern for his customers' needs, as well as for introducing the Texas he-man steak to Brockville.
Mr. Bolton contributed significantly to the development of all levels of baseball in the Brockville area. He was a dedicated coach and nurturer of youth in sport, as well as a key player in introducing senior little league to the area. He helped develop what is now known as Gainford Park on Brockville's Oxford Avenue.
He also put precious time and effort into making the community aware of the great need for a dialysis unit in Brockville and was very pleased when his dream came to fruition.
Vintage cars were a passion of his. He was an avid Cheesehead and loved the Green Bay Packers. He also loved the river and had fond memories of diving off the cliffs in his youth.
Mr. Bolton is survived by his wife Bette Bolton; his mother Eva Bolton; daughter Jaye-Lynn Blancher and husband Tom; son Robin Scott Bolton; daughter Cynthia Dawn Robinson and husband Steven; sister Donna Keetch and husband Lloyd; grandchildren Timothy, Jessica and Alexandria Hope; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, William Bolton.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home, Brockville, where on December 19 the funeral was held, with Rev. Michael Read, of St. Peter's Anglican Church, officiating. The eulogy was given by Doug Billing. Cremation was followed by burial at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
The honorary pallbearers were Steven Robinson, Lloyd Keetch, Brent Keetch, Iver Israel, Wayne Jay and Doug Billing.
Memorial donations were directed to the Kidney Foundation.
Donald Ireland, 62
Donald Borden Ireland, 62, of Mallorytown Landing, died at his home on December 27, 2003.
He was born March 6, 1941 in Greenbush to Wilfred Ireland and the former Esther Armstrong. He grew up in Greenbush and then Frankville, attended public school in Greenbush and Lehighs Corners, and went to high school in Athens.
From 1960 to 1964 he worked as an attendant at Brockville Psychiatric Hospital.
The month after he married Winona Haffie on September 12, 1964 in Mallorytown, he began working as a chemical operator at DuPont Canada Inc.'s Maitland Site. He retired on March 31, 1999.
He attended St. Thomas Anglican Church in Frankville, was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a past volunteer firefighter with the Front of Yonge Fire Department. He was a volunteer driver for cancer patients until his own failing health prevented him from driving.
He enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling, fishing, hunting and traveling. He took great pride in keeping his vehicles, boat, four-wheeler and snowmobiles washed and polished.
He also was proud of his roses and kept his home and property neat and tidy. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.
Mr. Ireland is survived by his wife Winona, brothers Ray Ireland of Frankville and Glenn Ireland of Charleston Lake, sisters Beatrice Smith and Yvonne Lameront of Frankville and Doris Wilson of Brockville, a special aunt, Ruby Stratton, and 23 nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister Marlene Sands, and two sisters-in-law, Joyce Ireland and Margaret Haffie.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, where on December 31 the funeral was held, with Rev. Allister Rose, of Mallorytown, officiating. Burial followed at the Mallorytown Cemetery.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Humane Society and the Canadian Red Cross.
Elsie Coon, 90
ELGIN -- Elsie May Coon, 90, of Delta, died of cancer December 17, 2003 at St. Vincent de Paul site of Providence Continuing Care.
She was born May 6, 1913 in Chantry to Edmund Garrett and the former Annie Gray and was raised in Soperton. She went to school in Soperton and Delta.
She married John Justus Coon on July 26, 1933 and they farmed together at RR 2, Elgin, along with her husband's brother, Norman Coon. Her husband died in 1965 but she continued living on the farm until 1991, when she moved to Delta.
Mrs. Coon identified with the United Church and was a member of the Delta senior citizens club and the Delta euchre club.
She is survived by her sister, Geneva Male, at Maple View Lodge, Athens, and by her nephew Grant Male and his wife Mary of Hamilton.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a brother, Wilson Garrett, who died in Delta in 1995.
Friends called at the Scotland Funeral Home, Elgin before the funeral on December 19, at which Rev. Harry Seeley, retired United Church minister, officiated. Burial was at the Halladay Cemetery, Elgin.
The pallbearers were Wylie Coon and five grand-nieces and grand-nephews, Betty MacDougall, Kenneth, Alan and James Male, and Deborah Fleming.
Memorial donations were directed to the Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
Iris Archer, 64
Iris Ann Archer, 64, retired accountant, died of cancer December 26, 2003 at Providence Continuing Care Centre-St. Vincent de Paul Hospital. She had been ill for five and a half years.
She was born May 8, 1939 in Hounslow, England, to Albert William Pollard and the former Bridget Foy. She grew up in Hounslow and attended the Green School.
On August 6, 1960, she married Alan Andrew Archer in England and in September immigrated to Canada. In July 1976 she moved to Brockville and lived on Sharpe's Lane until 1978, on Sevenoaks Avenue until 1985 and then on Fairmont Place.
She was trained as an accountant and was owner for many years of A & A Bookkeeping before it was sold. Then she worked for many years on and off for Knapp's Paving until 2002.
She enjoyed woodcarving, primarily horses, and writing, primarily short stories. Her family was her greatest joy.
Mrs. Archer is survived by two sons, Robert and wife Lynn of North Augusta and Alan and wife Kim of South Mountain, and one daughter Kelly Greig and husband Michael of Brockville, as well as six grandchildren, Micheal, Jason, Richard, Ethan, Caleb and Shannon.
Also surviving are her brother Ron Pollard in England and her sister Margaret Biggs in Marysville, Calif.
She was predeceased by her husband, parents, granddaughter Leah Ann Greig, sister Sheila and brother William.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, on December 30. The Liturgy of the Christian Funeral was celebrated December 31 at St. John Bosco Church. Cremation was arranged and burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery at a later date.
The pallbearers were Robert, Alan, Micheal, Jason and Richard Archer and Michael Greig.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Gerald Gardiner, 78
Retired city employee Gerald Russell Gardiner, 78, known as Gerry or "Poppy" to family and friends, died December 26, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born October 28, 1925, in Osgoode Township, to John Gardiner and the former Lucy Green and was one of 10 children.
He grew up in the Athens area and attended school in a one-room school house outside of Athens. While growing up he also worked with his brothers and sisters in the cheese factory his parents ran in Plum Hollow.
When he was old enough, he headed out west and spent his summers planting and harvesting crops. He'd come home for the winters to work for Tackaberry's as a hired hand on the homestead, tending animals, making syrup, plowing and so on.
He moved to Brockville, where he joined the City of Brockville's general maintenance staff and worked for 21 years until his retirement in 1990.
Mr. Gardiner married Pearl Annetta Coville in 1970, who died in 1983. He married again, this time to Jean Mary Cooper (nee Augustyn) on October 26, 1990, in Brockville.
He spent his retirement years doing things he enjoyed. He spent a lot of time at his property on Graham Lake where he had several camps he rented for the summer. He liked working on his daughter's hobby farm, helping with renovations and tending the animals. In the last few years he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Jean Gardiner of Brockville, daughter Cathy Mailloux (nee Cooper) and husband Mark of Maynard, sister Inez Gardiner of Brockville, grandchildren Mandy, Marie, Marc and Amber, sister-in-law Jennie Peters, and several nieces and nephews.
Besides his first wife, he was predeceased by his parents; brothers George, William, Stanley, Lawrence, Venus and Cecil; sisters Verla and Frances; and stepsons Richard, John and Joseph.
