ATHENS -- Wilda Aileen Freeman died at her RR 1, Frankville home on March 4, 2006. She was 74.
She was born in Kingston on May 16, 1931 to William Freeman and the former Mildred Merriman.
She was educated at the public school in Frankville and lived at the family farm all her life.
A devoted member of the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Frankville and the Anglican Church Women of St. Thomas, Miss Freeman was a longtime member of the Kitley Elders and enjoyed traveling with her circle of friends and helping others.
She is survived by her stepbrother, Atcheson Freeman of RR 1, Frankville, and several cousins, including Ross and Joan Avery of Portland and Margaret Mathers and her son Roger of Gananoque.
She was predeceased by her mother, Mildred, in 1931 and her father, William in 1974.
Friends called at the Judson Funeral Home in Athens where visitation was held on March 6. Reverend Ray Porth presided over the funeral, which was held at St. Thomas Anglican Church on March 7. Burial followed at the Halladay Cemetery in Elgin.
Pallbearers were Roger Mathers, Fred Donaldson, Fred Nicholas, Barry Galway, Mary Lynn Bell and Sandra Goguen. Memorial donations were directed to the St. Thomas Anglican Church and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Garland Hitsman, 83
Garland Hubert Hitsman died February 21, 2006 at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital after an illness. He was 83.
A resident of RR 2, Brockville, Mr. Hitsman was born on August 14, 1922 to Albert Rockland Hitsman and the former Mary Eastman in Russell, Ontario.
He was raised and educated in Russell and moved to the Brockville area in January 1942, where at the First Presbyterian Church he married Helen Mildred Covill in September of the same year.
Mr. Hitsman worked as a brass molder from 1942 to 1943. He joined the Canadian military from 1944 to 1946 and served all through Europe for two and a half years.
When he returned, he worked as a stationary engineer at the Brockville General Hospital and then the Brockville Psychiatric Hospital from 1951 until his retirement in 1983.
Mr. Hitsman built seven homes in Brockville and area. His hobbies included restoring a 1961 Studebaker truck and spending time with his much-loved dog, Brandy.
Mr. Hitsman is survived by his wife, Helen Hitsman, and their children, Roger and wife Judy of Brockville, Ruth Mayer of Brockville, Robin Hitsman of London, and Roxanne Lawson and husband Roger of Brampton.
Also surviving are sisters-in-law Stella Hitsman, Loretta Hitsman, Mildred Covill and Edith Salmon and husband Ernie, brother-in-law Orlie Covill and wife Cathy, 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son, Garland Jr., and brothers Cecil, John and twin brother George Hitsman, and sisters-in-law, Mary Hitsman and Ella Hitsman.
Visitation and the funeral were held at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, on February 23. Douglas Noonan and Tara Smith delivered the eulogy and Ross Shearer officiated at the funeral. Burial followed at the Maynard Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jason Hitsman, Rob Mayer, Ryan Mayer, Mitchell Mayer, Jacob Hitsman and Doug Noonan Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Amanda MacDougall and Tara Smith.
Memorial donations were directed to palliative care and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Edward (Ted) Alexander, 53
Edward (Ted) Robert Alexander, 53, died in palliative care at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital on February 21, 2006.
He was born in Brockville November 24, 1952, the son of Ed and Betty Alexander, brother to Howard and later, Bruce. Educated at Prince of Wales Public School and Brockville Collegiate Institute, he started community service early, performing in musicals and playing most sports.
After graduating in 1972, Mr. Alexander left Brockville briefly to start his financial career with the CIBC in London and St. Catharines. It was during this time that he married Ruth Barrance.
In 1976 they returned to Brockville to open Sam the Record Man with his father and raise his growing family as well as cultivate many lifelong friendships.
Mr. Alexander was involved with his children in the community: with Robert through coaching BMHA hockey; with Zane performing and on the executive of the Brockville Operatic Society and with Samantha as sports spectator.
He continued the Alexander family tradition of community service by becoming involved with Riverfest, the Brockville Country Club (past president) and more recently becoming a Lions Club member, as well as being the founding force behind the BCI Hall of Excellence.
In the midst of all these activities, Mr. Alexander sold the business in 1989 and returned to school where he became a Certified Management Accountant (one of his proudest accomplishments).
He eventually joined London Life where he worked until his death.
Predeceased by his parents and two uncles, Mr. Alexander leaves behind his wife, Ruth, his children, Robert (Megan), Zane and Samantha, his brothers Howard (Deborah) and Bruce (Patricia), his mother-in-law Joan Barrance, his sisters-in-law Margaret O'Shaughnessy and Cathy Boone (Byron), 11 nieces and nephews and eight grand-nieces and nephews, two aunts and several cousins (Toronto).
The funeral service was held at Trinity Anglican Church on February 24 with Reverend Mike Read and Canon Douglas Burns officiating.
Howard Alexander played the music, Deborah sang, Zane, Catherine and John Ballachey did the readings, members of St. Peter's Choir sang and Patrick O'Shaughnessy read the eulogy. The pallbearers were Tim Walsh, Richard Bak, Koop Bangma, Tom Ker, Patrick O'Shaughnessy and Robert Alexander.
John Welch, 34
ELGIN -- John Elton Welch died in a snowmobile accident after falling into Cranberry Lake near Seeley's Bay on February 26, 2006. He was 34 years old.
He was born on March 18, 1971 at Kingston General Hospital to Garry E. Welch and the former Judy E. Watson. He was raised in the Seeleys Bay area, where he attended Sweets Corners Elementary School and Rideau District High School in Elgin.
He worked in several fields, including mechanics, carpentry, welding and glass cutting. He had been retired for three years due to medical problems.
His interests included hunting, fishing and race cars.
He is survived by his former wife, Tanya Welch and their children, Zackary and Chelsea, of Gananoque; his partner, Kendra Adams and her children, Edward, Alanna, Faith and Michael Adams; his parents, Garry and Judy Welch; his brother, Joseph Welch, his wife Shelley and their children, Jordan and Taylor, all of Tichborne and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Friends and family called at the Scotland Funeral Home in Elgin, where visitation was held from February 28 to March 1. Connie McNamara presided over the funeral, which was held at the Scotland Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed at the Olivet Cemetery in Seeleys Bay.
Pallbearers were relatives Rod, Barry, Kent, Danny, Tom and Jamie and honorary pallbearers were friends George and Brian. Memorial donations were directed to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice.
Carolyn Visser, 60
PORTLAND -- Carolyn Visser, 60, died peacefully at Brockville General Hospital on July 10, 2006 with her husband and four sons by her side.
She was born in Smiths Falls August 24, 1945, to Howard and Marjorie (née Shaw) Walker. She attended Otter Creek Public School in Lombardy and graduated from Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute.
She was a country girl in all respects, having been raised on a dairy farm in Lombardy. The 4-H organization was a big part of her life: through it she won many awards, trips abroad - and a husband to boot. She was employed at Bell Canada, where she became supervisor of operations in Kingston. Later she transferred to Smiths Falls when she married Ron Visser on October 7, 1967.
She had four sons, Todd, Steven, Andrew and Matthew, and decided to stay at home on the farm to raise the boys. That decision was never regretted and was much appreciated by all.
She had a big garden, lots of flowers and helped with farm activities. Her family was close to her on both sides.
Mrs. Visser was also active in many community affairs. She was warden of St. Peter's Anglican Church, president of the ACW (Anglican Church Women) and a member of the Women's Institute and Lombardy Agricultural Society.
She also volunteered many hours to the parent council at Rideau Centennial School and worked for the Red Cross helping those in need. During their 39 years of marriage, she and her husband made trips to Holland, Bermuda, and Mexico, as well as attending two world Ayrshire conferences in England and the U.S.A.
She is survived by her husband Ron Visser; four sons, Todd Visser and partner Susan of Portland, Steven Visser of Kanata, Andrew Visser and wife Lora of Carp and Matthew Visser of Portland, and two grandchildren Hannah and Hunter.
Also surviving are her mother Marjorie Walker of Lombardy, brothers Jim Walker and wife Lillian of Calgary and Douglas Walker and wife Marian of Smiths Falls, and sister Aline Hicks and husband Earl of Lombardy; her mother-in-law Attje Visser of Smiths Falls, sisters-in-law Vicky Zwiers and husband Ralph, Elizabeth Gemmell, Wanda Visser and Tina McPhee and brothers-in-law Tim Visser and wife Alice and Bert Visser and wife Ellen, as well as her close uncle Gerald Walker and wife Jan of Cleveland, Ohio.
She was predeceased by her father Howard Walker and brother-in-law Harry Visser.
Friends gathered at Scotland Funeral Home, Elgin on July 13. The funeral was held at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Newboyne on July 10. Burial followed at St. Peter's Cemetery, Newboyne. Rev. Steve Timpson officiated.
The pallbearers were her four sons Todd, Steven, Andrew and Matthew Visser and her nephews Jason Walker, Brad Hicks and Mike Walker. Honorary pallbearers were Donald Wills and Bob Clegg.
Memorial donations were directed to St. Peter's Anglican Church, KHJA Cancer Program and the Ontario Ayrshire Memorial Fund.
