Kay LaForty, 77, died November 10, 2003 at Brockville General Hospital after a short illness.
She was born Kathleen Margaret Beaton on June 1, 1926, in Brockville, the daughter of John Beaton and the former May Frame. She was raised in Brockville and attended public schools here and Brockville Collegiate Institute.
In June 1946 she married Hiram "Hi" LaForty in Gananoque. Mainly a homemaker, she also worked part time as a cashier at the Dominion grocery store for a few years.
Mrs. LaForty identified with St. John's United Church, Brockville. She was an avid reader and enjoyed golfing, gardening and home decorating.
She is survived by two of her children, John Douglas LaForty of Brockville and Susan Jane Poole of Mallorytown, as well as three grandchildren, Amy and Lester Poole and Angela Twist, and two great-grandchildren, Dylan and McKayla Twist. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Hi LaForty, son David Michael LaForty and three brothers, Jack, Robert and Bill Beaton.
A graveside service was held November 12, at Oakland Cemetery, with United Church minister Rev. Stuart Froese officiating.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society and palliative care.
Arrangements were made through the Barclay Funeral Home, Brockville.
Clarence Cannon, 87
ATHENS -- Clarence Cannon, 87, of Frankville, died February 15, 2004 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born at the Cannon home at Lehigh's Corners, near Frankville, on May 22, 1916, the son of George Wesley Cannon and his wife, the former Bertha Etta Blanchard.
He attended Soper's School, then began working for his uncle Will Tackaberry on his farm near Greenbush. He also transported milk to local cheese factories before returning home to work with his father on the farm.
He married Elizabeth Hawkins Johnson on May 6, 1960 in Athens. They lived on the Cannon family farm at Lehighs Corners, where they kept dairy cattle and raised calves.
Mr. Cannon enjoyed playing the guitar and for many years sang tenor in the Frankville United Church choir.
Along with his nephew Alan Kilborn, he enjoyed restoring antique tractors, farm machinery and tools. In 1998, after repairing and repainting Mr. Cannon's antique seed drill, they donated it to the Brockville Museum.
He loved participating and competing in local plowing matches, both horse-drawn and tractor categories.
He had a keen interest in local history and an excellent memory for names and dates. He was able to recall clearly many humorous and interesting stories about family, friends and neighbours. These tales were included in several family genealogy projects.
Mr. Cannon is survived by two nieces, Linda Fisher of Calgary, Alta., and Helen Kilborn of Addison; four great-nieces, Kathryn de Souza and husband Henry of Brockville, Mary Pagnello and husband Rocci of Addison, Sherry Zachary and husband Tom of Medicine Hat, Alta., and Laurie Stretch of Brandon, Manitoba; and one great-nephew, Stephen Stretch and wife Jennifer of Calgary, Alta.
Also surviving are his stepson Jim Johnson and wife Olive of Brockville and two stepdaughters-in-law, Donna Halladay of Delta and Dorinne Hewitt of Brockville; 11 stepgrandchildren, Harold Johnson and wife Linda of Brockville, Brian Johnson of Kingston, Danny Johnson and wife Mary of Stirling, Nellie Birtch and husband Grant of Merrickville, Glen Johnston and wife Brenda of Kemptville, and Cathy Holder and husband Gary, Linda McCann and husband Don, David Johnson and wife Lee, all of Athens, Shirley Collins and husband Bob of Lyndhurst, Darlene Foley and husband Sam of Delta, and Tammy Johnston of Mallorytown.
Surviving as well are his step-granddaughter-in-law Shirley Johnson of Athens and 29 step-great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth in 1990, brother Donald Cannon and wife Minnie of Frankville, sister Grace Kilborn and husband Omar of Addison, nephew Alan Kilborn of Addison, great-niece Kim Stretch of Frankville and parents George and Bertha Cannon.
He was also predeceased by stepsons Jack Johnson and wife Dorothy of Tincap, Walter Johnson of Frankville and Fred Johnson of Athens; stepdaughters Marjorie Johnston of Athens, Laura Campbell of Frankville and step-grandsons Harry and Herbie Johnson, both of Athens.
Friends called at the Judson Funeral Home, Athens, February 17. His funeral was held at Addison United Church on February 18 with Rev. Dolly Dikens officiating. Reflections on his life were given by Margaret Prosser and Jim Loucks. Burial followed at Glen Elbe Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Fred Irish, David Johnson, Phillip and Raymond Morrison, Brock Pagnello and Matthew de Souza. Honorary pallbearers were Ralph Steacy, Clarence Blanchard, Galen Coote, Aden Freeman, Ray Bennett and Howard Morrison.
Memorial donations to Addison United Church Memorial Fund and other charities were gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Leslie Wakeham, 90
PRESCOTT -- Leslie Wakeham, 90, retired farmer, died February 25, 2004 at his home in Johnstown.
He was born August 24, 1913, at Plymouth, Devonshire, England, to John Thomas Wakeham and the former Sarah Back. With permission of his father, he left home at the age of 15 and sailed on the Montrose to Canada, to work on farms here.
At first he worked on farms in the Malton area, north of Toronto, then he moved to the Smiths Falls-Jasper area to work on farms there. In 1935 he bought his farm in Johnstown and in 1939 moved onto the property.
When the Second World War broke out, he went to sign up for service, but a farm accident had injured his eye, making him ineligible.
He married Eleanor May Dawson on November 6, 1946 at Lords Mills, Ont.
He continued farming until 1960, when he sold his farm and work began on the Johnstown housing subdivision. For the next decade he worked at DuPont, helping to clear land and working for contractors on the site. He retired in 1971.
He and his wife travelled extensively, visiting England and driving from coast to coast in Canada and down into the U.S. His interests included poetry, gardening, reading, computers, typing and his family.
Mr. Wakeham is survived by his daughter Marion Witt and husband Clifford of Port Hope and grandchildren David Witt of Quebec City and Debbie Strutt, Tammy Witt and Michael Witt, all of Port Hope, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Eleanor (in February 2002), brothers Edwin and wife Ivy, Stanley and wife Christine, George and wife Beryl, Kenneth and wife Barbara and Roy and wife Olive and his sisters Gwendolyn, Dorothy and Gladys, as well as several aunts and uncles.
The funeral was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, on February 28, with Ross Shearer, of the Jehovah's Witnesses officiating. Burial will be at the Blue Church Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Paul Reid, 85
LANSDOWNE -- Paul Reid, 85, died February 24, 2004 at Brockville General Hospital. He had been ill since December.
He was born John Joseph Paul Reid on March 27, 1918 in Escott, the son of Tom Reid and the former Rose Ann Murray. He attended Escott Public School.
He and his first wife, the former Edna Marie Summers, lived on the family farm. He farmed and worked for the roads department of the Township of Escott, retiring in 1984.
His wife died December 1, 1992 and he married Betty Boyd (nee Stymest) in Lansdown in 1996.
Mr. Reid attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Lansdowne, and was a member of the Mallorytown Legion. He enjoyed taking drives around the countryside.
He is survived by his wife Betty; son Bob Reid of Riverview, N.B.; daughter Cathy Forrester of Mallorytown; stepsons Jim Boyd and wife Elizabeth and Pat Boyd and wife Christine; stepdaughter Nora McCleary and husband Douglas; two grandchildren and stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are his brother Bernard Reid and sisters Cecilia Lafave and Noreen Donohue, all of Brockville.
He was predeceased by his first wife, son Christopher Reid and brother Murray Reid.
Friends called at the Barclay Funeral Home, Lansdowne, where the Mallorytown Legion held a special service. The funeral was held February 27 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Lansdowne, with Father Chris Brady officiating.
The pallbearers were Jim Boyd, Paul Hunt, Edward Donovan, Leonard Donovan, Mike Neufield and Morley Hunt. The honorary pallbearers were John Haffie, Gordon Hunt, Joe Donovan, John Reid and Bernie Donovan.
Burial will be at St. Brendan's Cemetery, Rockport, in the spring.
Memorial donations were directed to St. Patrick's Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Lorraine Pratt, 63
PRESCOTT -- Lorraine Pratt, 63, died of lung disease March 26, 2004 at Brockville General Hospital with her family by her side.
She was born Margaret Lorraine Rooke on June 13, 1940, in Prescott. Her parents were Jack Rooke and the former Eva Dawson. She married Lawrence Leonard Pratt on July 23, 1960, at St. Paul's United Church in Prescott.
She lived all her life in Prescott and was a housewife and mother. She loved spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed her many winter getaways to Myrtle Beach. She enjoyed "Bunka with the Babes" (doing Japanese bunka embroidery - using a punch needle and synthetic thread - together with a group of women friends each month).
Mrs. Pratt is survived by her husband Larry, son Richard of Ottawa, daughter Shelly Orr and husband Bobby of Johnstown and granddaughters Brittanie and Ainslie of Johnstown.
Also surviving are her mother-in-law Irene Pratt of Victoria, B.C., and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Barbara Fischer.
Friends called at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, where on March 29 the funeral was held, with Rev. Myra Garvin, of St. John's United Church, Brockville, officiating. Cremation was arranged and a committal service will be held at Sandy Hill Cemetery, Prescott, later in the spring.
Memorial donations were directed to the Lung Association and Hospice of Providence Palliative Care.
