Many Walks of Life Represented at Rites for Dr. W. Kirk Colbeck

[Welland Tribune November 23, 1951]

Representatives of a score of organizations as well as a large number of private citizens joined in funeral services yesterday afternoon to pay an impressive tribute to the memory of Dr, William Kirk Colbeck, an outstanding citizen who not only achieved high honors in his chosen profession but also unselfishly devoted his talents and energy to community betterment.

Many walks of life were represented in the large number who attended services at Central United Church and the hundreds of citizens who passed by the bier while  Dr Colbeck’s remains lay in state at the church from 11am yesterday until 1;30 pm.

Dr Colbeck died at his home on Parkway early Tuesday after suffering a seizure early in July.

Many of the organizations with which Dr. Colbeck had been connected during his long and eventful life attended the services in a body. Included were the Welland County General Hospital Medical association; nurses’ groups including nurses who had been employed at the Colbeck  Clinic through the years, special duty nurses, members of the Victorian Order of Nurses and the Welland  and District Health Unit, both of which Dr. Colbeck assisted in establishing in Welland, and nurses of the Welland County General hospital; members of the city council and officials; and members of the arena board.

Other organizations represented included the Welland branch of the Canadian Legion, of which he was a life member; a group of the 98^th Battalion which he joined early in World War I; the Welland-Crowland Health and Recreation association which raised money for the arena, the Welland-Crowland Health  Welfare council and the Sunshine Club, which he helped to found.

Services were conducted by Rev. F.R. Hendershot, pastor of Central United church, assisted by Archdeacon, A.H. Davis, padre of the Welland branch of the legion.’

“We have come here today,” said MR Hendershot in a heartfelt eulogy,”to pay tribute to a man, who in an eventful life became one of first citizens of this city, a man whose life was marked by unselfish devotion for the good of his fellows. The impact of his life in this community,” he said, will never be forgotton.”

Reviewing his life history, Mr Hendershot observed he received many well deserved honors in many fields climaxed by the award of the MBE in the king’s honor list in June 1943 for his patriotic and philanthropic services.

“Throughout the community,” said the speaker,” the news of Dr Colbeck’s  passing brought regret.”

“Not the least of those who mourn his death,’he continued, “are those who came to him for medical service. He gave of himself unstintingly to his patients.

Mr Hendershot stated that since his death a veteran told of one incident which was typical of Dr. Colbeck. Called in to greet a child of a veteran, the deceased on one critical night stayed by the child all night until the crisis had passed. He knew at the time that he could not expect to receive a cent from the child’s father.

Mr Hendershot  continued that Dr. Colbeck was closely related with many young doctors to whom he was always ready to give guidance and counsel. In this connection however, he stated he gained  more than he received by getting a fresh approach to problems.

“It is for this man that we gather here today to pay tribute to his devotion and unselfish service to this community and to mankind. Words are inadequate to state the debt we owe, but the floral tributes, the richly deserved eulogy in the press and this gathering are testimony to the high regard in which this man of good works is held in this community.

Pall bearers were all members of the medical profession, Dr. S.V. Railton, Dr.L.W.S. Sturgeon, Dr. Malcolm MacLean. Dr. T.E. Briant, Dr. A.L. Purdon, Dr. F.C. Myers.

City police and provincial police provided an escort for the lengthy funeral cortege to Fonthill cemetery where interment took place. There archdeacon A.H. Davis delivered a prayer and Mr. Hendershot conducted the committal service.

At the church the flag-draped casket was framed in a mass of floral tributes. With tokens of esteem and respect from the director of nurses and the nursing staff of the Welland General hospital graduate nurses of the old Welland nursing school and employees, the 98^th Battalion association, Welland-Crowland Welfare council, officers of the 98^th Battalion, private duty nurses, board and staff of the Welland and District Health unit, members of the Independent Order of Foresters, Welland-Crowland arena board and friends, Welland County Medical society, Ontario Society of Radiographers, Welland County General hospital medical staff, Victorian Order of Nurses, officers and members of the  Ontario Medical Association,B company of 98^th Battalion association, Sunshine Club.