Percy "Pelican" Watson, 64, died on December 5, 2007 at the Brockville General Hospital. He had been battling cancer.
Mr. Watson was born November 24, 1943 in Elizabethtown to Haley Allen Watson and Almeda Phyllis Serson.
Mr. Watson first worked at Burnbrae farms in the Lyn area, then helped with building demolition for Harold Krugal Demolition. He was also self-employed in painting houses and barns, and in 1968 he fell while painting a barn roof, resulting in an injured back and crushed foot.
Mr. Watson was involved in many fishing derbies including the Royal Canadian Legions in Brockville and Mallorytown, and the Riverfest derby. He was once even asked by tourists to be their fishing guide.
Mr. Watson was also an avid hunter of all game, and looked forward to when his son Tony would join him. He enjoyed taking his family camping at Graham Lake, Kitley and Merrickville.
Watching hockey and John Wayne westerns were also some of Mr. Watson's favorite pastimes.
On June 17, 1967 Mr. Watson was married to Marilyn Joyce Chant at the Christ United Church in Lyn.
He is survived by his wife and their sons Tony Phillip (Lisa), Jason Haley (Cherie), and Travis Scott (Kathleen), all of whom reside in Brockville.
Mr. Watson is also survived by brothers Carl Watson (Judy) of Toledo-Kitley, Cecil, Allan and Michael Watson, of Brockville, sisters Joyce Massey of Lyn, Jean Brown (Dale) of Junetown, Joan Dixon (Burt) of Mallorytown, Sharon Watson (Wayne Shaw), Nancy Cassibo (Ricky), Margaret Watson and Brenda Watson, all of Brockville. Also surviving Mr. Watson are daughter-in-law Janet Cordingley of Brockville, brother-in-law Keith Serson of Brockville, grandchildren Justin, Jenna, Megan, Philip, Nathaniel, Daniel, Cherie Jr., Marcus, Alexis, Jason Jr., and stepgrandson Emerson Harper.
Mr. Watson was predeceased by his son Percy Watson, sisters Kathy Watson and Barb Serson, sister-in-law Bev Watson and brothers-in-law Fred Shaw and Russel Massey.
Visitation occurred December 8 at the Irvine Funeral home in Brockville, followed by a funeral service.
Interment was held at the Oakland Cemetery, presided over by Rev. Douglas Blair. Pallbearers were Ricky Cassibo, Randy Massey, Bruce Moxley, Ralph Moxley, Roger Moxley, and Wayne Shaw. Honorary pallbearer was Steven Cassibo.
Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer society, the OSPCA, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Noel Allan, 76
Lifelong Brockvillian and sports enthusiast Noel Gilbert Allan died October 18, 2007 at Brockville General Hospital after a lengthy illness.
A resident of Bramshot Avenue, Mr. Allan was 76. He enjoyed playing golf and watching his beloved Detroit Red Wings, but his main interests were his home, family and many pets. His pride and joy were his six grandchildren.
The son of George Allan Sr. and Ida Maude McCaslin, he was born in Brockville on December 18, 1930. He attended Douglas Haig School and Victoria School in town and went on to Brockville Collegiate.
He spent 30 years as a lineman with Ontario Hydro, officially retiring in 1995. His pleasant nature and friendly wave will be missed by many in the community who knew him.
Mr. Allan was married to Marlene Yvonne Sargeant in Ogdensburg, N.Y. on February 2, 1952. She survives, along with the couple's two children - Ted Allan (Annie) and Cathy Shepherd (Paul) of Brockville. His grandchildren are Brandon Allan, Sean Allan, Travis Shepherd, Meredith Shepherd, Thomas Szeto and Sonia Szeto.
Also surviving are sisters Bonnie Allan of Ogdensburg, Eileen Carle of Hull, brothers Bob (Donna) of Brockville, Gary (Nancy) of Brockville and Bud (Mary Alice) of Prescott and daughter-in-law Barb Allan.
Mr. Allan was predeceased by brothers Adrian, George, Ron and Stephen (in infancy), as well as sisters Catherine Shaw, Bella Ward, Dorothy MacLean and Lillian George.
Funeral services took place October 22 at Barclay Funeral Home and Chapel with Rev. Stan Riley, retired minister from St. Paul's Anglican Church, officiating. Mr. Allan's brother Bob, a lay reader, also participated in the service.
Honorary pallbearers were Gary Allan, Bob Allan, Bud Allan, Sean Allan, Brandon Allan, Travis Shepherd and Bill LaForty, with interment taking place at Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial donations were directed to the SPCA, palliative care services and St. Paul's Anglican Church.
Alice Bennett, 84
SPENCERVILLE -- The funeral of Alice Bennett of Spencerville was held at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell Chapel, in Spencerville on November 22, 2007. The Rev. Ted Colwell of Ottawa conducted the service and Miriam Woodland of Spencerville played the organ.
Alice Bennett was in her 85th year and died on November 18, 2007 in the Kemptville District Hospital. She had resided in the Hilltop Nursing Home in Merrickville for seven months.
Miss Bennett was the eldest child of the late Garnet and May Bennett of Spencerville and lived most of her life in Spencerville. She was the dear sister of Arthur (Jean) of Bayfield, Ontario, Fred (Betty) of the Isle of Man, James of Spencerville, Dwight (the late Erma) of Kemptville, Jack (Joan) of Toronto and Molly (Rev. Ted) of Ottawa.
She was the loving aunt of 16 nieces and nephews and 30 grandnieces and grandnephews.
Pallbearers were neighbours Jim Burnie and Bill Lawrence of Spencerville, and nephews John Bennett of Newmarket, Bruce Bennett of Toronto, Tom Colwell of Spencerville and James Bennett of Kemptville. She was buried in the Bennett family plot in Spencerville Union Cemetery.
Muriel Harkness
Muriel Constance Harkness (nee Stanley) died peacefully with her daughter by her side at Bridlewood Manor on October 25, 2007.
Mrs. Harkness was born in Ottawa to G. Harcourt Stanley and the former Lucy E. Cowles. She attended Elgin and Kent Street public schools and Lisgar Collegiate. Educated as a dental assistant, she worked for Dr. W. Beattie in the Medical Arts building. It was there in 1941 that she met her husband, pharmacist David D. Harkness. They were married on June 6, 1942.
Mrs. Harkness and her husband lived in Brockville and Kemptville. In Kemptville, she was an active member of the St. James Anglican Church and its chapter of the Anglican Church Women. She was also a member of the Canadian Cancer Society in charge of transportation, and she volunteered her time with the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary.
In Brockville, Mrs. Harkness continued with volunteer work with the Canadian Cancer Society, Sherwood Park Manor, Meals on Wheels, Harvest Sharing, St. Lawrence Lodge, Shepherd Welcome Centre and the VON. She was also a volunteer in palliative care at the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital for more than 21 years.
Mrs. Harkness was predeceased by her husband on December 13, 1986. She is also predeceased by her brother, Harold Stanley and his wife, May.
Surviving Mrs. Harkness is daughter Shirley Smith (George) and grandchildren Michael Smith (Jennie) and Jacquelynne Mack (Cameron). She will also be greatly missed by her great-grandchildren Mia and Carter Smith, her sister-in-law Eva Harkness, and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life was held on October 27 at Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, officiated by Reverend Roland Glendinning. A private burial was scheduled to take place at the Harkness Family Cemetery at a later date.
Honourary pallbearers were Mrs. Harkness's three nephews Gordon, Donald and Howard Stanley.
Donations to the Brockville and District Hospice Palliative Care Service, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Leeds and Grenville SPCA are greatly acknowledged by the family.
John Alexander, 57
John Russell Alexander, 57, retired Ontario Provincial Police officer, died on April 3, 2007 at Brockville General Hospital.
He was born on May 31, 1949 in Picton to Russell Alexander and the former Catherine Clapp. John attended public and high school in Picton and helped his father at their gas station after school and on weekends.
At the age of 18, he became an OPP cadet in training in Toronto. Mr. Alexander spent two summers in Whitney, Ontario and was posted to the Brockville detachment. He took advanced training in criminal investigation, pornography and counterfeiting and served on the Perth district crime unit.
After 20 years in investigations, he became a Community Service Officer with the Brockville OPP and was instructor for the Very Effective People (VEP) program, teaching Grade 6 students in Leeds and Grenville and giving lectures at local service clubs.
He enjoyed the interaction with students and community members for six years before returning to the regular police beat until his retirement in 1999.
On August 17, 1974, he married Julia Ann Twa in Brockville's St. John's United Church.
His favourite pastime was sailing and John was heavily involved in the Brockville Yacht Club activities. He headed the sailing school there for two summers and during his 25-year association with the club he served as harbour master/rear commodore, vice commodore and commodore.
After his retirement, Mr. Alexander enjoyed performing odd jobs around the city and building boat cradles with John VanVelze. His most recent project, however, was caring for his granddaughter when needed, as she was the love of his life.
Mr. Alexander is survived by his wife Julia, son David and wife Danielle and granddaughter Tea, of Phelpston, Ontario, daughter Christa and partner Shane Camirand of Calgary.
Other survivors include his mother Catherine (Clapp) Alexander of Picton, sister Janet Kellough and husband Rob, aunt and uncle Sally and Bob Clapp of Picton, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gail and Jack Campbell of Brockville, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father Russell Alexander in 1980, mother-in-law Jean Twa in 1991 and father-in-law David Twa in 2000.
A celebration of his life, officiated by Reverend Tom Gemmell, was held at the Brockville Yacht Club on April 7. Readings were performed by John Campbell, Jody Nordman and Tara Graham. Reflections of his life were given by Wayne Scott of the OPP, Riley McMullen, Geoff McMullen, Janet Kellough and Christa Alexander.
Honourary pallbearers were John VanVelze, Paul Boucher, Boyd Thompson and Geoff McMullen.
Cremation and arrangements were handled by Irvine Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations were directed to the BYC Sailing School, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation and other charities.
