Rickwood, Thomas Wilfred “Wilf” of St. Thomas, passed away on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011, at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, in his 73rd year. Dearly loved husband of Gayle (VanHorne) Rickwood and loved father of Mickie Keefer (Chris McConnell), Kevin Rickwood (Rhonda) and Dawn Peddie (Nick Kontitsis), all of St. Thomas. Dear brother of Leta Durdle (Doug) of Aylmer, Doug Rickwood (Dorothy) of Amherstburg. Predeceased by a brother Charles “Chuck” Rickwood. Dear brother-in-law of Betty Kennedy (Morgan) of Union. Loved grandfather of Brandie, Jayden, Cory, Brody, Tanner, Zachary, Tieler and Camryn. Also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Wilf was born in St. Thomas on August 30th, 1938, the son of the late James and Clara (Conway) Rickwood. He worked at Canadian Timken a number of years. Wilf ran the Port Stanley N.B.C. League a number of years and also coached Slo Pitch for many years.
Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. Cremation to follow, with interment of ashes in Elmdale Cemetery. Visitation Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the Elgin Children’s Foundation or Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Chaplow, Kathryn Elaine (Moore)
Chaplow, Kathryn Elaine (Moore) of R.R. 5 St. Thomas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 1st, 2012, at the age of 74. Dearly loved wife of James ‘Jim” Chaplow and much loved mother of Dale and his wife Caroline Chaplow of Oshawa, W. David Chaplow and his partner Francine Lamontagne of St. Thomas and Donna and her husband Joe Cammalleri of Essex. Dear sister of Douglas and his wife Jane Moore of London and the late Donald and Ross Moore. Dear sister-in-law of Norma Moore of London and Susan Moore of St. Thomas. Specially loved grandmother of James William, Nora Kathryn, Bradley Norman and Brian David Chaplow and Phillip and Steven Cammalleri. Sadly missed by a number of nieces and nephews. Kathryn was born in Springfield on September 9th, 1937, the daughter of the late Stanley and Marjorie (Oliver) Moore. She was a Registered Nurse and worked at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital.
A private family service will be held. No public visitation. Cremation, with interment of ashes in Union Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Thames Valley Education Foundation (Ross Moore Memorial Award). Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St.Thomas in charge of arrangements.
Jean Laurie MacDougall
Peacefully on Monday, April 16, 2012, at the age of 87. Jean was born March 15, 1925 to Coll and Mae MacDougall, in Winnipeg. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Donalda Hutchinson and Grace Kaustinen and adopted daughter Daryl. Jean is survived by her sister Helen Anderson and Helen’s children, Susan, Carol, Ray, Neil and Laura, their spouses and grandchildren and Kaustinen offspring Fred, Gary, Matt and Hope and their families. She is also survived by her cousin and life-long best friend Bernyce Wand (Reg). She will be sadly missed by her many close friends in Port Stanley where she lived for over 35 years. Jean started working at the CNR after high school before turning to a career in nursing. She was the first “adult” student, at 30 years of age, to enter the St. Boniface Hospital RN program. Upon graduation she moved to Toronto and then London, Ont. to continue her studies in psychiatric nursing. While working in social outreach programs Jean started a seniors’ retirement guest home at Harriston and then added a daycare for children to promote cross-age connections. Jean’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to open many diverse ventures. She also founded The Red Door in King City, an arts and crafts gallery and The Nellie McClung Academy, a residential girls’ school. Her nursing background and lifelong interest in health and healthy living led her to create the BellySling and later the SpineAlign, a business she was passionate about for many years. A chance lunch date introduced Jean to Port Stanley where she purchased a home on the shore of her beloved Lake Erie. Jean was a woman ahead of her time. She was interested in the environment and organic farming decades before it became part of the public dialogue. She was keenly interested in politics, in particular the enfranchisement of women and First Nations. Her gentle spirit was combined with a fierce intellect, impeccable manners, graciousness, determination and a wicked sense of humour. Jean’s home was her sanctuary and she loved to sit and look at the lake and think. Her ruminations led to many initiatives in Port Stanley, including the creation of a local think tank. She managed the last difficult month of her life the same way she always managed it, with dignity and tremendous grace. Jean loved unconditionally and she created family wherever she was. Her loss will be keenly felt by the many members of Jean’s families. “Never retract, never explain, never apologize – get the thing done and let them howl.”
A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Anglican Church, Port Stanley, Saturday, April 28, 4 p.m. with reception to follow at The Wharf Restaurant in Port Stanley. Jean loved colour, so wear your brightest clothes! If desired, memorial donations can be made to the “Jean MacDougall Fund” care of the Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation. This fund will be used to empower, educate and support women; especially those interested in a future in the political arena.
McLean, Moyra
McLean, Moyra of St. Thomas, passed away on Sunday, December 9th, 2012, at the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital , after a courageous battle with cancer in her 59th year. Dearly loved mother of Matthew and his wife Laura Beer of St. Thomas. Loved sister of Bonnie McLean of British Columbia and Myrna McLean McNea and husband Brian McNea of St. Thomas. Proud nana of Harrison Beer. She will be sadly missed by four nephews Jesse, Cody, Joel and Dominic. Predeased by brother Peter McLean, June 2004. Moyra was born in Tillsonburg January 18th, 1954, the daughter of the late Hector and Noni (Kenney) McLean.
A public memorial service to celebrate Moyra’s life will be held at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. and one hour prior to the service. Remembrances to the Canadian Cancer Society or Animal Aide.
McDADE, Edward James “Ed”
On Sunday, February 10th, 2013, age 45—his incredible journey through this life ended, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born in Barrow-in-Furness, England, and wore his tattoo, “Made in Britain” with much pride. He celebrated his other roots by living every day as a stubborn Scot. If we could rewind Ed’s life, like a movie reel, we would see a little freckle-faced boy, learning to skip rocks with his dad; a teenager in countless photos with beautiful young girls, many of which he left with a broken heart (for which we are sure he is truly sorry!); a young man drinking coffee with his army mates in Cyprus while serving overseas duty with the United Nations; a father, kissing the forehead of his little girl wrapped up in a baby blanket; and a working man, surrounded by his ‘family’ at Cami Automotive. On his 40th birthday, Ed was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and from that day on, lived his life without a roadmap or a safety belt. In the past five years, Ed faced each day with determination, a sharp wit, and a kind heart. Even when life gave him insurmountable challenges, he was the rock and support for so many people—family and friends alike. Ed believed in community, and gave back in many ways, even when his body was shutting down. Despite a non-functioning leg, Ed coached his daughter’s soccer team, served as a committee member for the “Wish Upon a Song” foundation, and sent words of encouragement to countless others fighting a similar fight, especially children. Ed’s blog, “My Path”, was an inspiration to nearly 50,000 followers. Ed always looked to the future, and began checking off his bucket list, surprising his daughter, Faith, with a Disney cruise, paid for by his brothers and sisters at Cami. He was able to visit his army mates in Calgary, chase sun in the Caribbean, buy his prize black Cadillac, and spend summer days at “Happy Hills”, his little bit of heaven on earth with Faith. Cancer wore its way across and through Ed’s body, but it had nothing on his mind and spirit—they remained unyielding to the end. In the battle against cancer, there isn’t a doubt—Ed won. Ed will be remembered for his “Billy Connolly” style humour; for getting as muddy as possible on his quad; obsessively cleaning his Caddie and his home like a good soldier would; being the official ‘you’ve got a friend’ marathon caller to anyone who was also up and online ‘at the crack of stupid’; and for being the face of the Avastin crusade. If you could erase the toll cancer took, and go back to one last image—it would be of Ed, with one foot on a soccer ball, Sean Cassidy hair dancing in the wind, his eyes gleaming and his dimpled smile telling us, that in the end, it’s all going to be alright. Ed was the loving son of Edward and Margaret McDade, proud and adoring father to Faith McDade, protective brother to Karen McDade, Jeanette Martin, Shirley Ashton, and Angela McDade, and close friend and brother-in-law to Morris Ashton. Ed was a supportive uncle to Bradley (Nicole), Sarah and Trevor Martin, Jordan and Meggie Ashton, Brandon McDade, Courtney Bennett and Darren Catt, and a proud great-uncle to Madison, Nathan, and Arianna, all of St. Thomas. Ed had a special relationship with his aunt and uncle Jeanette and Don Davison, and his cousins Lee (Karen) Davison, and Donna (Tom) Kalpakis, all of Burlington, and his aunt Carol Crowe and cousins Sharron, Sandy, Paul, and the late Lucy and Geoffrey, of the Isle of Man. Ed is predeceased by his grandparents, James and Margaret Thompson, Anne and Edward McDade, and his uncle, James Thompson. Ed was loved beyond measure and will always be remembered by his many friends, especially his best friend, Al Vigar, and all of his family here in Canada, England, Scotland and beyond.
The family will receive friends at WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME, 45 Elgin Street, St. Thomas, on Wednesday, February 13th, from 1-4pm and 7-9pm. Prayers will be conducted at 7pm on Wednesday. A service to celebrate Edward’s life will be held on Thursday, February 14th, at Holy Angels Parish, 502 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, at 2pm. Remembrances may be made to The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada or The London Regional Cancer Clinic.
Bogart, Rayne Annaliesse
Bogart, Rayne Annaliesse of St. Thomas, passed away on Saturday, February 11th, 2012, as the result of a motor vehicle accident, in her second year. Dearly loved daughter of Amanda Sararas and Arthur Bogart. Loved granddaughter of Murray and Judy Bogart of Straffordville, Loretta Price of St. Thomas and the late Ken Sararas. Dear great granddaughter of Robert Bogart of Union, Eva and Gordon Price of Straffordville and Lois and Don Sararas of St. Thomas. Rayne was born in St. Thomas on October 22nd, 2010.
Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Cremation to follow. Visitation Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Remembrances may be made to London Children's Hospital.
Smith, William Arthur “Art”
Smith, William Arthur “Art” of Chateau Gardens Home in Aylmer and formerly of St. Thomas and Belmont, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at the Victoria Hospital in London in his 87th year. Beloved husband of 61 years of the late Katherine “June” (Spragge) Smith. Loved father of Steven Smith (Frances) of St. Thomas, Marlene Purdon (John) of Thorndale, Nancy Ralph (Glenn) of London and Susan Lee (Brian) of Kitchener. Sadly missed by 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Predeceased by a grandson Adam Willison. Art was born October 28, 1926 in Usborne Twp., the son of the late William Edward and Harriet Ann (Kirk) Smith and was also predeceased by his sister Alice Noyes. He worked for the Ministry of Transportation, with the department of highways and maintenance.
Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, London on Thursday at 3:15p.m. Visitation at the funeral home on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Donations may be made to the St. Thomas Blood Services. (Red Cross).
Pogue, Keith Douglas
Pogue, Keith Douglas of St. Thomas, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, November 20th, 2013, surrounded by his loving family in his 69th year. Dearly loved husband of Robin (Frook) Pogue and loved father of Jackie Pogue (Gloria) of London, Jordan Pogue of Kitchener and Vince Pogue of St. Thomas. Loved grandfather of James, Jenna, Josh, Jake and Jayden Pogue and great grandfather of Greyson Pogue. Dear brother of the late Johnny Pogue (late Leona), Jean Godsoe of London, the late Roy Pogue (late Ruth), the late Ray Pogue and his wife Margaret of Port Hope, the late Frank Pogue and his wife Joan Pogue of Belmont, the late Fred Pogue and his wife June of Aurora, Freda Buchanan and her husband Larry of Dorchester, the late Freeman Pogue, Clare and his wife Helen Pogue of London and the late Wayne Pogue. Beloved son-in-law of Mollie and Fred Frook of London . Dear brother-in-law of Carol Richards and her husband Doug of London and Harvey Frook and his wife Stacey of Lacombe, Alberta. Sadly missed by a number of nieces and nephews. Keith was born in Lindsay, Ontario on August 15th, 1945, the son of the late Fred and Helen (Floto) Pogue. He worked over 20 years of Jaegar Machine and then for Lear Seating. Keith organized the Terry Fox Run a number of years. He took pride in making wooden crosses and crucifixes for people from around the world.
Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas where funeral service will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. Cremation to follow, with interment of ashes in Dorchester Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Foundation with funds to be used towards Pain Pumps.
