RUSSELL, Ina R. formerly of Turnbull’s Grove, RR 1, Dashwood
Peacefully, at Queensway Nursing Home, Hensall, Tuesday, July 16, 2013, Ina Rose (Ridderhouse) Russell, formerly of Turnbull’s Grove, RR 1, Dashwood, age 92. Beloved wife of the late Alex Russell (1998). Loving mother of Diane Wildfong and the late Alex “Sandy” Russell (1997). Loved grandmother of Samantha Wildfong. At Ina’s request cremation has taken place and no services will be held. If desired, memorial donations (payable by cheque) to the Alzheimer Society or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood.
BEAULNE, Robert of Hawkesbury
Beaulne – Mr. Robert from Hawkesbury passed away on Monday, July 15, 2013 at the age of 67. He was the son of the late Laurent Sr. Beaulne and of the late Laura Isabelle Tessier. He leaves his spouse Gisèle Piette and her children, Louise, Michel and Jocelyn; the dear brother of Gisèle St-Amour (Richard), Diane Marnier (Jean-Claude), Claire Provencal (Philippe), Raymonde Howes (Ken), Danielle Beaulne (Gérald) and Michel (Lisette Dupont). He was predeceased his brothers and sisters: Richard (Teresa Therien), Laurent Jr. (Lucette Cardinal), Bernadette Chayer (late Yvan) and Elaine Provencal (late Allen). Also survived by many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. Robert was an honorary member of the Hawkesbury Canadian Legion.
Friends may call at Berthiaume Funeral Home Ltd. 416, McGill Street, Hawkesbury, Ontario (877) 632-8511, Friday, July 19, 2013 from 9 a.m. A funeral service will be held at St-Jean-Baptiste Church in L’Orignal, Ontario on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
For those who wish, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, 837, Pitt Street, Unity # 1, Cornwall, Ontario, K6J 3S5 and/or Hawkesbury General Hospital Foundation, 1111, Ghislain Street, Hawkesbury, Ontario, K6A 3G5 would be appreciated.
Condolences may be conveyed by fax at (613) 632-1065 or visit our Web Site www.salonfuneraireberthiaume.com
WITZELL, GRAZIATTA “GRACE” MARIA Of Peterborough
GRAZIATTA MARIA “GRACE” (Née DeCarlo) – At Fairhaven Home on Saturday, July 13, 2013 with her family present, in her 95th year. Grace, wife of the late James Revoy. Dear mother of Nicholas of Regina, Johnny and Carmen Maria Williams (Bob) both of Peterborough. Cherished Nanny of Andrea McArthur (Matt Kerfoot), Michaella Poulin both of Peterborough and Tony Revoy of Montreal. Great Nanny of Keegan Roy Kerfoot. Dear sister of Angela Hurford and Regina Zackgrow. Predeceased by siblings Annie, Rosie, Theresa, Toni, Dan, Peter and Fred. A Celebration of Grace’s life will be held at COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL HOME – ASHBURNHAM CHAPEL 840 Armour Road (just north of Parkhill) on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 1 p.m. Visitation one hour prior. If desired, condolences to the family, directions to the service or donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation may be made at www.CommunityAlternative.ca or by calling 705-740-0444.
SAWYER, Roy Arthur of R.R. 1 St. Thomas
Sawyer, Roy Arthur of R.R. 1 St. Thomas, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013, at his late residence, in his 67th year. Dearly loved husband and best friend of Brenda (Smith) Sawyer and loved father of Troy Sawyer (Kathy) of Port Stanley, Kevin Sawyer (Theodora) of Wallacetown and Lisa Hawley (Jamie) of Toronto. Loved grandfather of Beth, Joe, Kailey and Tanner. Dear brother of Doug Sawyer (Mary) of St. Thomas, Don Sawyer (Penny) of Port Stanley and Lorraine Smith (late Jim) of St. Thomas. Sadly missed by a number of nieces and nephews. Roy was born in Portage LaPairie, Manitoba on August 9th, 1946, the son of the late Les Sawyer and Marjorie O’Connor. He was a retired maintenance supervisor at the Regional Mental Health Centre (S.T.P.H.) and also worked as a supervisor with the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority. He also owned and operated BrenRoy Construction. Roy was a beekeeper and operated Sawyer Apiary. He was a member and Past Master of St. Mark’s Lodge #94 A.F. and A.M., a Past District Deputy and a member of the HI-Ro Shrine Club.
Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Union Cemetery. Visitation Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Memorial service will be conducted at the funeral home on Friday at 6:30 p.m. by Officers and Members of St. Mark’s Lodge #94 A.F. and A.M. Remembrances may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
MELMER, Terry of St. Thomas
With heavy hearts and reflective pride, we announce the passing of Terry, on Friday, July 12th, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer, age 68. Cherished by his soul mate and wife of 47 years Francine, sons Sean (Ron) and Jason (Jodie) and his favourite rug rats-grandchildren Paige and Bryce. Predeceased by his parents (Russell and Margaret) and brother (David). Terry became the proverbial patriarch of all things “Melmer”. A dedicated Mason and proud Shriner, he tirelessly served his community through various volunteer efforts. Despite his towering stature, he bewildered and entertained all by accumulating various Volkswagen convertibles of continually decreasing size. A true comedian, he loved to make people laugh, unless politics came up- then it was time to fasten your debating shoes. Ten months ago, after a particularly grim diagnosis of Stage four cancer, he commenced the greatest fight of his life. Never down, never discouraged he fought and inspirited everyone he touched right up until the final hours, with his family at his side. Never forgotten, he will be remembered as he lived-a winner…
A public memorial service to celebrate Terry’s life will be held at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas on Tuesday, July 16th at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Visitation at the funeral home on Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Monday evening at 6:30 p.m. by Officers and Members of St. David’s Lodge #302 A.F. and A.M. Flowers gratefully declined, share at favourite story and donations would be appreciated to the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital (Chemotherapy Unit), Talbotville United Church or the Shriners’ (transportation Unit).
MCSKIMMING, Violet
Violet passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 15th, 2013 from a recent stroke. Violet was a loving mother and mother-in-law to her daughter Heather Burton, son Rob Burton and daughter-in-law Jennifer DesRosier and a proud Grandmother to her grandchildren Hayley, Joshua, Jeffrey, Dylan and Natasha. Her family wishes to thank all the staff of Amy’s Helping Hands, CCAC and the ICU staff at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital for all their exceptional work in making Violet’s last days as comfortable as possible. Donations can be made in honor of Violet to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Diabetes Association. A private family service has been held. Arrangements entrusted to Families First 1065 Lauzon Rd. East Windsor, 519-969-5841. Share memories, photos or make a donation at www.FamiliesFirst.ca
SMITH, Dr. Donald Robert, of London
Posted by Westview Funeral Chapel on July 16, 2013
SMITH, Dr. Donald Robert – Born on September 26, 1927 in the town of Sparta, Ontario. Don passed away at the age of 85 in the afternoon of July 15, 2013 while tending to his cherished garden. By his side every step through 63 years of marriage his loving wife, Kathleen, will forever hold close the memory of the kind, gentle man who gave so much to his family and his career in medicine.
An accomplished internist, Don attended the University of Western Ontario receiving his M.D. degree in 1951. He completed post grad training in Internal Medicine in 1956 at Victoria Hospital and Toronto General Hospital and became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1956. Following his internship he practiced in St. Thomas for 2 years and then established his own private practice in London. While operating his practice he also served as Associate Medical Director of the London Life Insurance Company. Dr. Smith also became a member of the UWO Medical Faculty and lectured on a part time basis at UWO from 1957 – 1972 at which time he became a full-time member of the Faculty of Medicine and accepted an appointment to join the University Hospital. Dr. Smith became a full professor in 1973 and Professor Emeritus in 2001. He dedicated his time and served on many committees to further patient care: served as the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee at University Hospital, the Victoria Hospital Medical Teaching Unit, Chairman of the Admission and Discharge Committee at University Hospital; Medical Quality of Care Committee at University Hospital. During his career he also was an examiner in Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons from 1972 – 1985 and was the president of the Medical Staff Association at University Hospital. In 1999, Dr. Smith was granted a lifetime membership in the OMA. In his later medical career he dedicated his work to the Select Prostate Committee under Dr. Joseph Chin. Dr. Smith was known far and wide as the “physician of last resort” and received referrals from all over Southwestern Ontario for those most difficult and complex patients. He was always a man of compassion and insight. His concern for his patients, students and fellow physicians exemplified the healing art of medicine. Dr. Smith also thoroughly enjoyed fly fishing and was a long standing member of the Caledon Trout Club where he and Kathleen enjoyed many summer weekends. He also enjoyed football, traveling, reading, curling and chess. Gardening was his year round favourite past time and he took pride in growing and tending his many perennials. Gardening gave him a sense of peace and accomplishment. Don was incredibly proud and devoted to his family. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Kathleen, daughter Jane (Paul Voorheis) and sons Douglas and Bruce. Devoted Papa to Marshall and Paula. Don was predeceased by his parents Harding and Vera Smith and by his loving son Jim. Don was a brother to Harold and Ann Smith, Margaret and Don Helmer, Vera and Don Martin and brother-in-law to Frank and Carole Mills. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the memorial service will be conducted on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Dr. Smith are asked to consider Foundation Western, Suite 110 Westminster Hall, London, Ontario N6A 3K7 for Ramsay Gunton Chair in Cardiology.
SMITH, Donald J. (Bus), of London
EllisDon founder Don Smith – force of nature, builder of buildings and of people, underdog and later a champion of underdogs everywhere, and 65 year partner with the equally formidable Joan Smith – has passed away at 89. There are very many of us who assumed Don would always be there; we are on our own now.
Born in Provost, Alberta in 1924, Don started life prematurely weighing just over three pounds. He was not expected to last nine hours, let alone 90 years. His determined mother Florence Marie (Ellis), along with a passionate neonatal nurse who nicknamed him ‘Buster,’ and Don’s nascent iron will got him through.
Don’s father, Donald Bennett Smith, died suddenly in 1930, forcing Florence to abandon Provost for Toronto just as the Great Depression got under way. His mother’s job at Eaton’s and his now legendary paper route supported the family. Don, older brother David and sister Muriel were soon joined by their cousin and brother-in-arms George Ellis.
Pure entrepreneurs are born, not made. A hand tremor dashed early dreams of aeronautical engineering, but Don’s drive would not be repressed. He joined Foundation Company, made Superintendent at the amazingly young age of 25, moved to London and married Joan McDonald in 1949 – a force in her own right. Don leaves his seven children: Catherine, Robert (Theresa), Lynne (Mike Koenig), Geoffrey (Megan), Michael (Dianne), Donald (Jacqueline) and David (Jennifer) and 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed.
Don and brother David started EllisDon on April Fool’s Day, 1951. Their first contract for a small garage, but they expanded very quickly to schools, then to universities, health care and office buildings. They worked nights and week-ends, driving by competitors’ offices late at night to see if anyone was outworking them. Soon, the company had expanded to Nova Scotia and Alberta as EllisDon bid on airports, mining projects and civil works. Today, the company that Don founded completes over $3 billion in volume annually, has worked all over the globe on every type of project, and is nearly 50% owned by its 1600 employees.
Don never wavered from his entrepreneurial core: In 1985 at 61 years old, Don bet the entire company on something that had never before been attempted: A fully guaranteed $400 million retractable roof stadium called SkyDome. An engineering and construction feat and an entrepreneurial risk, it likely knows no equal in Canada, and remains Don’s proudest achievement at EllisDon. And, of course, his second home at Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia. A cherished place that yielded many friendships and hundreds of permanent jobs; ‘Papa Don’ is revered there.
But EllisDon constituted just one facet of Don’s life. He constantly fought bigotry and unfairness. As a young businessman of 4
Don’s other decades long passion was politics at every level, and he was proudest of working with David Peterson to rebuild the Ontario Liberal Party from the bottom up, ending 40 straight years of Conservative rule as the Liberals took power in 1985.2, Don used every means required to force the London Club, the City’s establishment bastion, to admit its first Jewish member, and soon these barriers fell across that city and beyond. Don was later awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Council Of Christians and Jews for his courageous stand.
After all that, perhaps Don’s greatest impact on others came from his unending commitment to philanthropy. No-one ever wrote a cheque faster than Don. He did not die as wealthy as one might think, having given away millions over the years. And it’s amazing to think that he raised far more money than he earned. Very many people had no idea of their own capability to give until they were subjected to ‘the Don treatment’. (One bank CEO, was startled by Don’s opening appeal on behalf of Fanshawe College: ‘This is a stick up.’ The bank gave several hundred thousand.) The Boys And Girls Club especially, but many other charities and individuals (some of whom will never know) benefitted from Don’s unflagging energy and generosity over his entire life.
A life very well lived. More importantly, one that enabled very many other lives to be well lived.
Visitation will be held at Ivey Spencer Hall (551 Windermere Road, London) on Thursday, July 18th from 1-330 pm and from 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at the London Hunt Club (1431 Oxford St. W. London) on Tuesday, July 23rd, starting at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, Don would ask you to multiply that cost by at least ten and donate it today to your favourite charity.
