Howard Wesley Cross, 69, died of heart failure February 14, 2004 at his RR 3 home west of Brockville.
He was born June 25, 1934 in Ellisville (near Gananoque) to John Wesley Cross and the former Edna Edgley and was raised and educated in Brockville. He married Margaret Munro in 1958 in Brockville.
He was employed at the Stetson hat factory, McCrea Wholesale, Granges Nyby (which made stainless steel pipes) and finally Automatic Electric.
He enjoyed being outdoors in the summer and was always mowing his lawn; otherwise, he enjoyed watching television.
Mr. Cross is survived by his wife Margaret Cross, brother Gerald Cross of Brockville, and three sisters, Glenna Dent and Doris Sabourin, both of Brockville, and Shirley Jokinen of London, Ont., as well as nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, on February 17. The funeral was held in the Irvine Chapel on February 18, with Rev. Paul Gordon and his wife Mary, who is Mrs. Cross's sister, officiating.
The pallbearers were Bob, Jim, Diane, Bill and John Martin.
Cremation followed at Roselawn Crematorium, Maitland.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Catherine Gilligan
Catherine Ellen Gilligan, 92, died peacefully on March 16, 2004 at Sherwood Park Manor, where she had been a resident for the past six years.
She was born on November 22, 1911, in Cardinal, the daughter of Richard Lyman and the former Isobel Emburg.
She was a resident of Cardinal for more than 60 years, attending Cardinal Public School and the Cardinal Continuation School.
She married Garnet Gilligan in Prescott on June 25, 1933.
She and her husband owned and operated a small candy and convenience store located in the same building as the local theatre on Dundas Street. It was a popular spot for local children in the 1950s, who would buy penny candy to take to the movie next door.
Catherine had many stories to tell about the store's young customers, a favourite topic of conversation when she reminisced about the good old days, and some of those young people still remember her fondly.
After the couple sold the store, Catherine worked at the Cardinal Post Office for more than 14 years. She enjoyed her time there and had many fond memories of her co-workers.
In 1974, after Garnet retired, the couple moved to Brockville where they enjoyed many years of retirement.
A devout Roman Catholic and a member of the Catholic Women's League for many years, Catherine was a loving wife and mother.
She is survived by her son Richard and his wife Jan, of Brockville; grandchildren Patrick (Kim) of Spencerville, Tim (Anita) of Cardinal and Jane McDonald of Smiths Falls; step-grandchildren Terri (Steven) Dougall of Pickering, Tom Anderson of Kingston and several great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Catherine had a very close relationship with her sister, Isobel, and her children, John (deceased), Norman, Robert, Willard and Fred Gaylord and their families.
She was predeceased by Garnet in 1988, Isobel in 1982 and her brother, John, in 1932.
Family and friends called at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel in Brockville on Thursday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brockville, with Father Brian Price officiating.
Interment took place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cardinal. Pallbearers were Patrick Gilligan, Tim Gilligan, Norman Gaylord, Robert Gaylord, Willard Gaylord and Tom Anderson.
Memorial donations to Sherwood Park Manor and the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
Pete Rymal, 75
Peter Rymal died suddenly at the Brockville General Hospital on March 5, 2004, 13 days before he would have marked his 76th birthday.
Mr. Rymal had been in declining health for four years after being diagnosed with a chronic leukemia.
Born and raised in Hamilton, he was predeceased by his father Dr. Lloyd Rymal - a doctor for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL - his mother, Letetia, and a stepmother, 'Van'.
Following high school, Mr. Rymal entered the workforce at the Toronto-Dominion Bank, then the Industrial Acceptance Corp, followed by a job at Wentworth Motors, a car dealership in Hamilton. He then moved to Wood Larkin Motors, a car dealership in Toronto.
In 1971, Mr. Rymal and Al Green - an associate of his at Wood Larkin Motors, now deceased - pooled their resources to become partners in the purchase of Brockville Motors (Chev-Olds).
Over the years, Mr. Rymal became a prominent figure in Brockville and area's business and social circles.
Brockville Chev-Olds was awarded a massive government contract to deliver a huge fleet of trucks and their mechanical parts to Africa. This enabled Mr. Rymal and Mr. Green to sell the dealership and retire comfortably in 1983.
In retirement, Mr. Rymal pursued his passions: golf and St. Lawrence River boating. He was a member of the Brockville Yacht Club and the Brockville Country Club. He also enjoyed cooking and often showcased his culinary skills to his friends when he entertained.
Although his final years sometimes proved difficult, he maintained his dignity and pride and his dry sense of humour. He will be best remembered for his rare and resonating deep voice.
He is survived by sister-in-law Marg, her children Wendy, Kathy, Jay and their families and his friend, Mary. He was predeceased six years ago by his younger brother, Bill. He was married twice.
There will be no services, but in accordance with Mr. Rymal's wishes a casual reception will be held April 24 at the Brockville Country Club from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Ronald Schultz, 55
Ronald Wayne Schultz of Spencerville died March 20, 2004 at Kemptville District Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.
Schultz was born in Ottawa on February 6, 1949 to the late Edward Schultz and Pauline (nee Frink). He is survived by his wife Susan whom he married on September 30, 1972 in Ottawa. He had been a resident of the Spencerville area for the past 15 years and previously lived in Nine Mile River, Nova Scotia.
He was working as an engineering consultant at the time of his death, and was retired from the Royal Canadian Navy.
He is survived by children Ken Schultz (Julie), Peter Schultz (Stephanie) and Kerri Schultz, all of Spencerville; brother Terry Schultz (Cheryl) of Ottawa and sister JoAnne Etheridge (John) of Merrickville. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Debra Norton.
Visitation was held on March 22 at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Rolston Chapel, Kemptville from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service was held March 23 in the chapel of the funeral home at 11 a.m. with Reverend Andrew Chisholm officiating. Marjorie Patterson was the organist for the service. Pallbearers were Terry Schultz, Gary Mitchell, Doug Mitchell, Bob Dunn, Vic Maracle and Ron Lewis. Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Kemptville District Hospital Palliative Care would be gratefully acknowledged.
Judith Granger, 55
Judith Ann Granger died March 11, 2004 of cancer at Kingston General Hospital. She was 55 years old.
She was born on Janaury 16, 1949, the daughter of Andrew and Frances McCombie and the youngest of nine children. She was raised and educated in Brockville and lived in the area most of her life. She worked in various factories in the city and was also in the restaurant business for some time.
At a very young age she married Wayne Birtch and they had two children, Kory, who survives, and Lori Ann, who died in infancy. Kory married Dorothy Davidson and they gave Judy two beautiful grandchildren, Samantha and Bradley, whom she loved dearly. Her husband Wayne died very young and she raised Kory by herself until she met and married Larry Granger.
She was described as a happy, warm, loving, caring and giving person, an immaculate housekeeper and excellent cook, and she loved to entertain family and friends at home. She travelled to many parts of the world, including South Africa, where she lived with her cousin Margaret McConnell for six years.
She made many new lifelong friends and upon her return took up residence in Brockville until her death. She also enjoyed warm climates, swimming, barbecuing, gardening, playing pranks, family, friends and life.
Mrs. Granger is survived by her son Kory Birtch and his family, brother John McCombie (Nancy) of Ottawa, sisters Helen Easter (Ronald), Jean McCaugherty (Ray) and Darlene Burns (Brian) of Brockville, and sister-in-law Kathy McCombie of Calgary. She is also survived by stepbrothers Donald and Berkley Hutton of Brockville and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, her stepmother, Mildred McCombie, daughter Lori Ann, brothers Robert, Andrew, Gilbert and Bruce McCombie, sister Evelyn Brown and stepbrothers Richard and Gerald Hutton.
A memorial service was held at the Irvine Funeral Home on March 15, with Rev. Douglas Warren of Wall Street United Church officiating. Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Maitland.
Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society and Palliative Care were greatly appreciated.
