[Welland Tribune January 16, 1947]
The death occurred on Thursday, January 16, at the Welland County General Hospital in her 48th year of Mary, wife of Steve Costea, of Canby Street, Port Robinson. Deceased was born in Roumania, but had been in Canada for 44 years, and had resided in the Welland district 22 years. She is survived by her husband, Steve Costea: four sons, George John, Nicholas and Lea; a daughter, Helen, at home; two brothers, William and Konstantina Dunba, in Saskatchewan; and a sister, Mrs Sylvia Topala, in Saskatchewan. The funeral will be held from the family residence, Port Robinson, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 8.30 a,m, for Requiem Mass at that church at 9 o’clock. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Mrs Steve Costea
The funeral of Mrs. Steve (Mary) Costea of Port Robinson, who died in Welland County General hospital on Thursday, January 16th in her 48th year, was held from her late residence, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Port Robinson, on Monday morning, January 20, and Rev. Father Joseph Crothers chanted Requiem Mass, also officiated at Holy Cross cemetery.
The pall bearers were Alec Kyle, James Nicols, Joseph Stando, Clarence Young, Frank Gentile and Constantine Cumsha.
[Welland Tribune January 24, 1947]
Wellandport, Jan. 24-The funeral of the late William Cavers, held at Lampman Funeral Home on January 7, was attended by many friends and relatives. Mr Cavers was well-known having spent all of his 87 years in the vicinity of Wellandport. His wife, Mary Cavers predeceased him fourteen years ago as did two sons, Will and Jim.
There are four daughters and four sons surviving: Mrs. George Rands of British Columbia, Mrs Will King of Fonthill, Mrs H. Thornton of Comber, Mrs A. Hodgkins of Welland, Stanley and Blake of Wellandport, John of St. Anns and Robert of Ridgeville. There are 24 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. McRoberts and the music was played by Mr and Mrs Wm. Piper of Humberstone and John Lampman. Many beautiful flowers were received. Flower bearers were grandchildren of Mr. Cavers. The pall bearers were nephews: Roy Goring, W.A. Cavers, J. Wilson, Walter Collver, Hugh Collver and Chas. Freure.
[Welland Tribune January 13, 1947]
“Open House” was held after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the home of Mr. And Mrs Cecil McPherson of Wellandport, who were celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. During the afternoon holy communion was observed for the guests.
Mr. and Mrs McPherson went through the wedding ceremony, with Rev. McRoberts officiating.
Henry Jupe acted as best man and the bridesmaid was Mrs John Cosby.
Friends and neighbours and members of the Wellandport United church presented the couple with a tri-light lamp, with the pastor making the presentation.
A buffet lunch was served, and Miss Ada Coleman of Wellandport and Mrs. J. H. Reaker of Welland poured tea throughout the afternoon. Mr McRoberts proposed the toast to the bride and groom of 60 years ago. Ridgeville, Fonthill and local points called to extend felicitations. Centering the tea table was a wedding cake, the gift of Dr. And Mrs Crick of Toronto. The happy couple were the recipients of many flowers and congatulatory notes.
Life-long residents of Gainsborough township, Mr and Mrs McPherson had been members of Wellandport United church for over 30 years. Mr McPherson retired from farming 32 years ago.
Mr. and Mrs. McPherson entertained on Saturday at a dinner for close friends. Among those present were Mr. And Mrs John Cosby, St Anns; Mr and Mrs John Barwell and Fred Barwell, Mr and Mrs Henry Jupe, Mr and Mrs Herb Dawdy and Rev. McRoberts, Wellandport; and Mrs J.H. Reaker of Welland. Mr McRoberts acted as chairman during the dinner.
The guests presented Mrs McPherson with a basket of carnations. Mr and Mrs Dawdy entertained with singing and music.
[Welland Tribune, January 24, 1947]
The most largely attended funeral in Welland in several years was held yesterday afternoon as hundreds of friends paid their final respects to the late Flight-Lieutenant Richard Lewis Curtin, and showed their sympathy for the bereaved family. Flt.-Lt. Curtin, son of Mr and Mrs R.F. Curtin, of Welland, was killed when an R.C.A.F. plane crashed at Marsh Lake, Yukon Territory, on Wednesday, January 15, as it was returning to its base at Whitehorse after investigating a fire. Five other persons were killed when the plane crashed.
Services were held at the J.J. Patterson and Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young Street, with Rev. A. D. Sutherland, minister of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mr Sutherland brought a comforting message to the mourners based on the text, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord.” Entombment was at Fonthill mausoleum.
Attesting to the popularity of the young man was a large number of floral tributes. Included was a particularly memorable wreath sent by the personnel of No. 6 Command Squadron of Whitehorse, of which Lew Curtin was a member, with instructions that a fresh orchid be placed on the wreath each day. Other R.C.A.F. floral pieces were from the officers and men of the R.C.A.F. Station at Whitehorse and the Air Officer Commanding and Officers of Northwest Air Command, Edmonton.
Flowers from local organizations included the Welland Sea Cadet Corps,Ladies Auxiliary of the Sea Cadets, Welland Optimist Club, Welland Anglers’ club, Mayor and council of the City of Welland, Welland Volunteer Firemen, Welland County Agricultural Society, Welland-Crowland branch of the Red Cross Society, Knights of Pythias, Past Chancellors Club of the Knights of Pythias, Past Chiefs Club of the Pythian Sisters, Presbyterian Sunday School. Alpha Chapter of Pi Delta Gamma Fraternity and Ladies’ A.A. Club.
Six cars were required to convey the floral tributes.
A representation of R.C.A. F. Officers from the Aylmer station together with members of the Welland police force provided a guard of honor at the funeral residence.
Sea Cadet George Farnsworth was present at the Fonthill mausoleum to sound the“Last Post.”
Paul-bearers were six close friends of the deceased; Jack Patterson, Hugh McNeil of Brantford, Robert Arthur, Owen Segert, J.E. Jones and Kenneth Beamer.
Six officers from the R.C.A.F. station at Aylmer acted as honorary bearers: Flt.-Lt. J. Hutton, Flt.-Ltd. J.R. Fraser, F.O. W.A. Winder, F.O C.E. Elliott, F.F. D.G. Parker. D.F.C. and F.O. C.W. Kipfer, D.F.C.
The funeral was attended by a large number of young people and many organizations were represented.
[Welland Tribune, January 16, 1947]
War veteran, Popular Young Man Dies with Five others in Plane
Word was received here today that Flight Lieutenant Lewis Curtin, 57 Randolph street had been killed yesterday afternoon when an Air Force plane crashed on Marsh Lake near Whitehorse, N.W.T.
Six persons were killed in the crash, five R.C.A.F. personnel and a civilian employe.
Officials of North West Air Command at Edmonton said the only information they have is that the crash occurred while the plane was returning to Whitehorse from Teslin, Yukon Territory, where the R.C.A.F. officials had been investigating a fire. Teslin is about 105 miles by road southeast of Whitehorse. Marsh Lake is about 45 miles south of Whitehorse and near the Alaska highway.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin had been with the interim R.C.A.F. and was a pilot attached to No. 6 Communications Flight in Whitehorse.
He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in December, 1940, and received his wings at Saskatoon in August 1941 with rank of Sgt-Pilot. During the war he saw service with anti-submarine patrols on the West Coast, on the East Coast and in Newfoundland, and also was engaged in overseas transport work. Since March, 1945, he had been stationed in Edmonton flying on the North-West staging route. Three months ago he was transferred to Whitehorse.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin married Diane Munroe, of Grand Manan, N.B. in September, 1945, and his wife was living with him at Whitehorse.
Deceased was born in Hamilton on December 15, 1919, but his parents moved to Welland shortly afterwards and he spent most of his life in Welland prior to enlistment. He attended Welland public schools and was a graduate of the Welland High and Vocational school. At the time of his enlistment he was a student at the Niagara Parks Commission school of gardening and landscaping, with only a year to go before graduation.
Popular with Welland’s younger set, Lewis Curtin was a member of Pi Delta Gamma fraternity, and the Lookout Point Ski Club, his hobbies including skiing, hockey and hunting. He was an adherent of the Presbyterian Church.
Surviving besides his wife and parents, is a sister, Miss Mary Curtin.
Funeral arrangements will depend on further news from R.C.A.F. officials.
Other Victims
Killed in the crash besides Flt.-Lt. Curtin were:
Sqdn.-Ldr. Robert Andrew Bucham, D.F.C., commanding officer of the R.C.A.F. station at Whitehorse.
F.O. Alfred Henry Hartivikson, works and buildings officer stationed at Whitehorse.
Flt.-Sgt. Joe Milner, N.C.O. in charge of the fire fighter section stationed at Whitehorse.
L.A.C. Charlie Curtis Brooking, aero-engine mechanicat Whitehorse, flying as crewman; mother, Mrs. Sid Brooking, Trehern, Man.
Ray othen Porter, electrician, R.C.A.F. civilian employe at Whitehorse; mother Mrs Harriett, Porter, Edmonton.
FLIER’S BODY IS EN-ROUTE
[Welland Tribune January 18, 1947]
Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Curtin learned today that the body of their son, Flight Lieutenant Lewis Curtin, who was killed on Wednesday when an air force plane crashed on Marsh Lake near Whitehorse, N.W.T, arrived in Edmonton last night and should reach Welland Tuesday. Tentative arrangements have been made to hold funeral services Thursday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church.
Flt.-Lt. Curtin’s widow, the former Diane Munro of Grand Manan, N.B. was reported en route from Whitehorse to Welland.
Cause of the crash which claimed the lives of five R.C.A.F. personnel and one civilian employe remains unknown although R.C.A.F. officers are investigating.
The bodies of the six victims were flown to Edmonton yesterday.
AROUND AND ABOUT
Author: Joe Barkovich
Photographer: Dave Hanuschuk
[Date Unknown]
WELLAND-John Aceti has clipped his last customer.
The well-known West Main Street barber has retired, but he’s not happy about it.
Aceti says he decided to take his doctor’s advice to slow down a bit. He says he was just too tired to go to work anymore-even though going to work just meant walking through his house and into his shop-they’re in the same building.
But hey, it is understandable that he’s too tired to work; John Aceti is 81 years old.
He’s cut hair here for about 50 years and before that, for a few years in Toronto.
He says a lot of his clientele who were boys when they started coming to him stayed with him all these years.
“I watched a lot of the guys grow up,” he says.
The affable haircutter got his first job at an East Main Street shop in the basement of a building which was adjacent to the old Park Theatre. A few years later, he bought an established barbershop on West Main, changed its name to John’s Barber Shop and has been there ever since. That was in 1947.
The price of a haircut back then was 75 cents. When John decided to call it quits, he was charging customers $6-not much considering some of the prices for a haircut these days.
“I own my own building,” he says. “I didn’t have to pay rent so I didn’t charge my customers too much.”
He wishes he was back cutting hair.
He misses the people and is touched that they still miss him. He’s been getting phone calls and cards and letters from many of them, wishing him well.
Every so often, he goes into his barbershop and thinks back to the old days. John Aceti says he wishes he could turn back the clock to when the brushcut reigned supreme to when barbers used styptic pencils a lot more than they do today; to when a barber’s service charges listed things like singles, 25 cents; hair tonic, from 25 cents; and razor honing, 75 cents. He wishes he could turn back the clock to when he was younger. Ah….those were the days.
[Welland Tribune January 30, 1947]
Salem, Jan. 30-Gratifying reports were presented at the congregational meeting of Salem United church. Reports of the Sunday school W.A. C.G.I.T. group W.M.S. and Baby Band were read and all showed an increase of activity during the past year The treasurer’s report, read by Harold Gent, showed an increase in givings.
Rev. W.A. Dempsey, the pastor reported 20 families affiliated with the church, with a membership of 51. During the year the pastor officiated at two marriages and three burials.
Charles Bailey and John Blanchard were re-elected as Stewards and present elders were reappointed James Farr, Leroy Hayward and Kenneth Strawn were appointed as additional ushers. Franklin Blanchard, R. Henderson, C. Bailey and Asa Chambers were named church trustees, and Ernest Brown and R. Henderson as parsonage trustees. E. Hayward and G. Metler were appointed auditors.
Votes of thanks were passes to Mrs Ernest Brown for use of their home for the meeting and the pastor and Mrs Dempsey for their leadership during the year.
The ladies served refreshments following the meeting.
[Welland Tribune January 2, 1947]
The funeral of the late Frederick Boyd, who died at his home, 32 Myrtle avenue, on Sunday, December 29, in his 75th year, was held from the Sutherland-Thorpe funeral home, 152 Hellems avenue to the Church of England cemetery on Smith street, on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. A.H. Davis, rector of Holy Trinity church officiated. There was a large attendance of Free Masons, and of Legionnaires. The casket bearers were members of Cope-Stone Masonic Lodge, and members of Welland Canadian Legion. Members of the Legion formed a guard of honor at the cemetery, and they deposited poppies upon the casket. The guard of honor was under direction of Legionnaire Harry Oakes.
The casket bearers were Brethren W.J. Thomas, W. Rowe and Harold Headington representing the Free Masons of Welland and Legionnaires Arthur Hanson, Herbert Walker and A.G. Tulk from Welland Canadian Legion.
The Last Post and the Reveille were sounded.
[Welland Tribune January 3, 1947]
The funeral of the late Mabel Ann McCaffery, widow of the late William McCaffery, whose death occurred on December 29 in her 69th year, was held Thursday morning from the late residence, 156 Fares street, Port Colborne, to St Teresa’s Church, where mass was sung by Rev. B.P. Malone. Interment was in Mount Joseph cemetery.
The pallbearers were Fred Beck, Clarence Beck, George Kelly, George hall, Reeve James P. Greenn and Frank Godak.
Among the floral tributes was one from the employes of Humberstone Shoe Co. Ltd.
Friends and relatives attended from Youngstown, O., Mayville, Dunkirk and Buffalo, N.Y. Welland and Montreal.
[Welland Tribune January 7, 1947]
Dr. D.C. McNeill, who has been appointed radiologist at the Welland County General Hospital, was guest of honor last night at a reception tendered by the board of governors and the medical staff. Dr. McNeill arrived in the city yesterday to take up his duties.
Born in Toronto in 1916, Dr. McNeill graduated in arts from McMaster University in 1936 and in medicine from the University of Toronto in January, 1943.
He enlisted in the Canadian Army Medical Corps in May, 1942, and remained in the service until March 1946, specializing in X-ray work during the greater part of that period. Following his discharge he took up post-graduate work in Toronto Western Hospital.
Dr. McNeill is married and has one son. He is a golfing and fishing enthusiast.
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