Results for ‘Early Citizens’
[Welland Tribune January 6, 1947]
The death occurred in Toronto this morning of Fred S. Dilworth, a former well-known resident of Welland. He had not been in good health for some months and on Thursday last suffered a heart seizure from which he never rallied.
Native of Toronto, Mr. Dilworth was the son of the late Joseph Dilworth, and for a time was associated with his father in the drug business in Welland, and later he was a partner of the late W.G. Somerville in the operation of the contracting firm of Somerville and Dilworth.
For 20 years, Mr. Dilworth owned and operated the Empire Sales Company in Toronto, which was associated with the Westinghouse Company.
He is survived by his wife, formerly Minnie B. Somerville; his daughter, Shirley; a brother, Walter and a sister, Amy.
The funeral will take place in Toronto on Thursday afternoon.
[Welland Tribune January 4, 1947]
Fonthill, Jan 4-The funeral service for Mrs Harry Beardwood, who passed away at the Welland County General hospital on Sunday, was held from the Drake and Barron Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon. The many beautiful flowers showed the affection of a large circle of friends.
Rev. W.J. Wismer, pastor of the Baptist church of which the deceased was a member, brought a comforting message to her family. Mrs. C.L. Gregory at the organ accompanied Mrs. F. Benson who sang “Good Night and Good Morning.”
Interment took place in the Fonthill cemetery. The following were pallbearers: Courtland Haist, Harry Metler, Fraser Ryan, Gordon Ryan, F.E. Davidson and Harry Rogers.
Colleagues remember “Red” Hatch
‘A person for the city of Welland’
By JANICE WALLS
Tribune Staff Writer
[Welland Tribune, 16 July 1985]
M.F. Hatch, centre, received a plaque last year in recognition of his outstanding service to the community. Mayor Roland Hardy, front left, presented the plaque. Looking on were John Campbell, chairman of Regional Niagara, right; and back row from left, Regional Chairman Loyala Lemelin; Allan Pietz, a regional councillor at the time and now Welland MP; and Ald. Harry Diffin, a former Welland mayor.
WELLAND-Red Hatch will be remembered for his lasting contributions to this city.
Merrill (Red) F. Hatch, who died yesterday at the age of 77, was active in politics, sports and business.
Hatch was involved in municipal politics for 15 years and was a furniture and appliance dealer in Welland for many more years.
“I’ve known Red for over 50 years and I’ve done business with him even during the early Depression years,” said Regional Coun. Loyola Lemelin, who served with Hatch on city council for five years and on Regional council for several terms.
“Red was one of the sharpest fellows I’ve ever seen in politics,” said Lemelin. “While he was chairman of the Region’s finance committee, the fellow knew the value of a dollar and he practiced very good judgement. At a meeting you always knew that Red was there. “
Lemelin and Regional Chairman John Campbell both said one issue about which Hatch felt strongly was the need for universal water and sewer rates across the region.
“It was a very controversial subject,” said Campbell. Council finally brought in universal rates, he said, and Hatch “had an awful lot to do with it.”
Campbell said Hatch was “a person for the city of Welland.”
“He was a real friend and a real colleague,” said Welland Mayor Roland Hardy. Hardy recalls that one of Hatch’s greatest achievements for the city was getting a second underpass (the Townline Tunnel) when the new canal was built. Hatch was also among those who campaigned successfully to have dredging plans changed so the new canal banks would have more park and recreational possibilities immediately.
Welland MP Allan Pietz said Hatch retained his interest in politics right to the very end.
“I saw him last week in hospital. I went in with Mayor Hardy and he (Hatch) was still talking about the community and politics and the forth coming municipal election.”
When Pietz first ran for mayor in 1964, Hatch ran as an alderman. The two men served on city council until 1970, and then went to regional council together. They were both members of the Niagara district committee which advised on the formation and organization of regional council.
Although they were on opposite sides of the political fence –Pietz as a Tory and Hatch as a Liberal-they always worked closely together, said Pietz.
“We were able to build a rapport which was certainly good for me and I think it was good for him, and hopefully it was good for the community.”
Dr. Don McMillan, Mayor of Thorold, knew hatch for many years. McMillan’s father was federal MP for Welland from 1950 to 1965, and Hatch was the elder McMillan’s campaign manager through six elections.
“I remember he was an outstanding campaign manager,” said McMillan. Hatch was himself an accomplished politician, he said, who was missed at Regional Niagara when he retired from council in 1980. “Whenever he stood up to talk everybody listened.”
As finance chairman, Hatch “was always trying to keep from spending (public) money if he could,” said McMillan.
Former MP Vic Railton remembers Hatch as someone who did a great deal of work for the Liberal party.
“He was a good friend of mine and helped me a great deal,” said Railton, who also spoke of Hatch’s contribution to the development of the seaway area.
“He did a great deal for the city of Welland and this area.”
Port Colborne lawyer Bev Davies served with Hatch on the police commission for several years and described his contribution as “tremendous.”
“Red’s death brings to a close a distinguished career both in business and on the political scene,” said Davies.
Many Wellanders will remember Hatch for his work on the local sports scene.
One of Hatch’s earliest sports interests was watching boxing, according to Tommy Morrison, former managing editor of The Tribune. Hatch later became an avid fan of baseball. He was asked to join the executive of the Welland Senior Baseball club when baseball was in its heyday in the region.
In 1940, hatch became business manager for the Welland team and in 1943 he began a seven year stint as field manager.
“Hatch “was so skillful in coaching and building a top-quality team,” said Morrison, that he guided the Welland team to three Ontario championships. Pitcher Sal Maglie of the New York Giants was one of the top-notch imports Hatch attracted to the team.
Hatch played a role in getting a second arena for Welland in 1967. It was the city’s big project for Canada’s centennial year.
Another of his contributions to sports, and perhaps the one which is most visible to Wellanders, was the illumination of Burgar Park.
“He gave Welland the first illuminated park in the Niagara district,’ said Morrison, adding that Hatch “bankrolled the lights,” at a time when the park’s board could not afford it. Although Hatch undertook the project during the Second World War.it was allowed by the chairman of Ontario Hydro, who felt people needed recreation in wartime. The park used off peak power, and attendance was so good that Hatch regained his investment within the first three seasons.
Attendance was particularly high at one game because of some tough action by Hatch. Morrison remembers that before an important playoff encounter with a Niagara Falls club, Hatch “warned the league that if Niagara Falls empires were stationed at every base. He would yank his team from the field. And he did.”
The Welland team didn’t play that day, but the return game at Burgar Park attracted a record crowd. Over 4,000 people came because of the excitement of the controversy. Hatch’s interest in baseball continued all his life, said Morrison.
[Welland Tribune January 8, 1947]
Konstantin Kokotilo, who had resided for 43 years on Bottridge Street in Hamilton and had lived with his daughter, Mrs John Durley, 174 Beatrice Street , Crowland, for only a few months, died at her home early this morning in his 67th year. He was formerly employed with International Harvester Limited, Hamilton, and was a native of Austrailia. He is survived by his widow, Mrs Kokotilo; also five daughters, Mrs John Elaschuk, Toronto; Mrs John Pelech and Mrs Alfred Martin, Hamilton; Mrs John Durley and Miss Veronica Kokotilo of Crowland, and a son, George David Kokotilo, of Hamilton, and eight grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of St Peter and St Paul while in Crowland.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 11, at 9.30 a.m. from the late residence, Beatrice Street, to the Church of St Peter and St Paul for Requiem Mass at 10 a.m., with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery.
[Welland Tribune January 7, 1947]
The death occurred at the Moyer Nursing home, King street, Humberstone, yesterday of Mrs Margaret Hughes, widow of the late John F. Hughes, in her 79th year.
The late Mrs Hughes was born in Port Colborne and had lived there all her life, residing for many years at 191 Alexandra street. Death followed an illness of about two months. She was a member of St James Anglican church and a life member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the church.
Surviving are two sons, Roswell A. Hughes and Edward A. Hughes, both of Port Colborne, and four grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her in October, 1938.
The funeral will be held from the Dell and Merton funeral home, 50 Clarence street , Port Colborne, on Wednesday, January 8, to St James Anglican church, for service at 2.30 p.m. Rev. H.G.L. Baugh will conduct the service. Interment will be in Overholt’s cemetery.
[Welland Tribune January 8, 1947]
A large representation of the police forces of the Niagara District joined relatives and friends this morning in paying their final tributes to Provincial Constable Almer Charles McNamara. Constable McNamara died at the Niagara Peninsula Sanatorium last Sunday midnight at the age of 37.
The funeral was held from the H.L. Cudney Funeral Chapel, 241 West Main Street, to St Mary’s Church where requiem high mass was celebrated by Rev F.A. McKenna.
At the church ,police of the Niagara district including R.C.M.P. Provincial, and municipal police formed a guard of honor, 40 strong, as the casket was borne into the church, and following the mass and funeral service.
As the funeral cortege proceeded on its journey for burial in St Francis De La Salle Cemetery, Pickering, the police, under the command of Police Chief Thomas Gee, slow marched to the Niagara Street bridge as a final token of respect for their fallen comrade.
Casket bearers were Corporal I.R. Robbie and constables Frank Fox, R.H. Devereux, and Reg Bass of the local detachment of Provincial Police, and Frank Cooney and Norman Fach of the St Catharines detachment.
Among those attending the funeral was J.H. Campbell, recently retired magistrate.
Yesterday afternoon boys of Notre Dame School, and sanctuary boys of St Mary’s Church participated in prayers at the funeral chapel in sympathy with sons of the deceased who attend the school, and last night men of the parish were led in the Rosary by Father J.F. Culnan.
The Boy Scout troop of Boys’ Town acted as a guard of honor at the funeral chapel this morning.
The funeral cortege was met by a detachment of Provincial Police from Toronto and escorted to Pickering.
Among many floral tributes were flowers from the commissioner and staff of the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Welland County Police Association.
[Welland Tribune January 8, 1947]
The death occurred at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Douglas MacIntyre, 63 Cross street, Port Colborne, yesterday, of Mrs Mary Horne, widow of the late John Horne of Midland, in her 91st year. The late Mrs Horne had been ailing only three days.
Deceased was born in Cockenzie, Scotland, and came to Port Colborne six years ago from Midland. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian church, Midland.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs MacIntyre; five sons, John Horne Sr. and Hugh Horne, Port Colborne,Charles Horne, Grand Mere, Que., Peter Horne , Midland; and Archie Horne, Toronto; 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her in 1925 and a son, Robert, in 1924.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, January 9, at 2p.m. from the Dell and Merton funeral chapel, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne, with temporary entombment at Fonthill mausoleum, Rev. R.T. Rutherdale will conduct the service.
Had resided for many years in local district.
[Welland Tribune December 28, 1943]
Fonthill, Dec. 28-The community was shocked on Friday morning to learn of the death of Miss Julia Fisher. A few years ago, Miss Fisher had a severe illness resulting in a heart condition, but was in her usual health until a few weeks ago when she was taken ill with influenza, from which she failed to rally.
Miss Fisher was living in her new home on Maple avenue which she completed a year ago and which she shared with her sister, Mrs George Davidson. She was born in Rochester, N.Y. daughter of the late Charles and Sarah Fisher, coming to this country with her parents when about ten years of age. She had lived in this community practically all her life and a host of friends in the vicinity. For many years she was employed on the office staff of the Welland Registry Office and later spent a number of years in the
office of the Martin Dairy, Welland.
Surviving are a brother, Archie Fisher of St Williams and two sisters, Mrs T. Cooney of Tonawanda, N.Y and Mrs George Davidson of the village. The late Mrs William Barron was also a sister.
The funeral of the late Miss Fisher took place on Monday afternoon at the Fonthill United church, with the pastor, Rev. W.A. Monteith officiating at the church and the graveside. Mr Monteith spoke of the kindness of the late Miss Fisher in caring for her sister who has been ill for the past year. Mrs Albert Dean played the organ during the service, and Mrs S.B. Brush sang “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” with Mrs Dean accompanist.
Many lovely flowers paid silent tribute to the affection of friends and relatives.
Interment was made in the Fonthill cemetery. The pallbearers were Roy Barron, Ernest Moldon, David Fisher, Fred Klager, Harry Haist and C.W. Crowe.
Mrs Harmar Gill Passes Following Long Illness
[Welland Tribune December 29, 1943]
Ridgeville, Dec. 29- One of the older residents of the village, Mrs Clara Jane Gill, wife of Harmar Gill, passes away at her home in the village Tuesday morning.
The late Mrs Gill, who was in her 74th year, was born in Staffordshire, England, and was the daughter of the late James and Jane Randall. Thirty-eight years ago she was united in marriage to Harmar Gill, and seven years later they came to Canada and took up residence at Stamford, where they resided for 23 years when they moved to Crowland, coming to live in Ridgeville two years ago. Mrs Gill had been in poor health for the past four years and had been confined to her bed since last May. She was a member of the Church of England.
Besides her sorrowing husband, she is survived by one son, Sydney James Gill of Crowland, one daughter, Mrs Elsie Myers at home, four grandchildren, one sister, Mrs Eda Boston of England and one brother, Arthur Randall of England.
The funeral will be held from her late residence, Thursday afternoon at 2.30 with interment at Hillside cemetery.
Funeral of Mrs Harmar Gill is held in village
Interment is in Hillside cemetery; Many floral tributes
Ridgeville, Dec. 31-Funeral services for the late Clara Jane Gill, wife of Harmar Gill, were held from her late residence in Ridgeville Thursday afternoon, and were largely attended by relatives and friends. Rev. Earl Clarke of Holy Trinity Anglican church, Fonthill conducted the service and the many beautiful floral tributes bore testimony to the esteem in which deceased was held. Interment was at Hillside cemetery with Jack Hague, Wm. Ridge, Arthur Dayman, Harold McCleod and W.L. Pearson acting as pallbearers.
[Welland Tribune December 21, 1943]
The death occurred at Petrolia hospital on Sunday, Dec. 19 of Reginald V. Case, former well known station agent at Port Colborne, in his 57th year. The late Mr. Case had been agent at Wyoming for the past 13 years, going to Wyoming for the past 13 years, going to Wyoming from Port Colborne. He had been in the employ of the C.N.R. for many years.
Deceased was born at Exeter. He was a member of the Anglican church at Wyoming and was a member of Beacon Lodge, I.O.O>F., Port Colborne. Death followed an illness of about a year.
Surviving are his wife, Eileen Kleinsmith; a daughter, Barbara, at home; a sister, Miss Susan Case, Merritton; and a brother, Nelson Case, Sarnia.
The funeral will be held from the Dell and Merton funeral chapel, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne, on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 2.30 p.m., to Overholt’s cemetery. The remains will rest at the Dell and Merton chapel until the hour of the service.
Funerals
Reginald V. Case
The funeral of the late Reginald V. Case, former C.N.R. station agent at Port Colborne, whose death occurred at Petrolia hospital on Sunday in his 57th year, was held yesterday afternoon from the Dell ad Merton funeral chapel, 50 Clarence street, Port Colborne, to Overholt’s cemetery. The service was largely attended by relatives and friends and many beautiful floral tributes expressed the esteem in which deceased had been held in Port Colborne and in Wyoming where he resided for the past 13 years.
Rev. J.A. Watton, rector of St John’s Anglican church, Wyoming, conducted the service assisted by Rev. H.G.L. Baugh, rector of St James’ church, Port Colborne. The pallbearers were Otto Seeman, E.W. Seeman, L.J. Schnurr, R.. Sands, E.C. Wolfe and Alfred Habel.
Among the floral tributes were those of the Parochial society of St John’s church, C.N.R. employes of Wyoming. Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, St John’s Church, Madel Lodge, I.O.O.F.., Wyoming; employes of Libster Mill Wyoming; Beacon Lodge, I.O.O.F., and the Order of Railway Telegraphers.
Friends attended from Merritton, Sarnia, Kitchener, Copper Cliff, Grimsby, Fort Erie, St Catharines and Welland.
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