Published August 8, 2018
Grace (Whittam) Waldschmidt
(1928 – 2018)
Grace Ellen Waldschmidt (nee Whittam) of Port Dover, passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at Caressant Care Nursing Home in Courtland, in her 90th year. Dear mother of Bill Waldschmidt, Jim Waldschmidt, Pat Curtis (Barry), and Bob Waldschmidt (Jan). Predeceased by her husband Roy Waldschmidt, and three brothers, John, Harold, and Howard Whittam. She will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, Bill Waldschmidt Jr., Kelley Waldschmidt, Tyler Waldschmidt, CJ Sulston, Jo Vallee, Krista White, and Dana Wallis, and several great-grandchildren.
Special thanks to the nurses, personal support workers, therapists, and staff, at Courtland Nursing Home, for their excellent care and compassion. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Caressant Care Nursing Home in Courtland, specified for “Staff Appreciation” or a charity of your choice.
Grace will be buried at the Port Dover Cemetery, at a private family service. Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) are in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends and relatives at a celebration of life that will be held in Port Dover, at a later date.
Personal condolences and favourite memories can be shared at www.ostrandersfuneralhome.com
Published August 15, 2018
Corrie Hanna-Best
HANNA-BEST, Corrie Lee – born June 18,1974. We are saddened to tell you Corrie passed away August 7, 2018. Corrie loved life … her family her friends and all things geekie and even better if the geeks were covered with pixie dust. She will be missed by so many … her children Quinton and Sadie; her mom and dad, Don and Becky Hanna; her sister Jennifer Hanna (Gordon Smiley); Tim Best. Her grandmothers Joyce Hanna and Lenore Roelens. Corrie would say, “spend each day as if it’s your last … love … kisses and hugs to all”. Friends and family were welcome to join us for a gathering at Whistling Gardens (whistlinggardens.ca) on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to dusk. Come as you are … she always was wonder woman … so if you feel you wish to honour her dressed as your favourite super hero, please do!
Published August 22, 2018
Gloria Harrison
HARRISON – It would distress Gloria Harrison of Brantford, East Lansing, McMaster and her beloved Port Dover to admit it but apparently, she has passed away. That’s simply not something she would want to know much less experience. We think it was to avoid having to witness any more of Trump’s antics but more likely her damaged and leaky heart just gave in.
She already misses her gorgeous friends, her dear family and particularly her guy, John. Equally, we imagine a lively game of rummoli going on if she has found Dorothy.
Over the last several months, when she could no longer be at home, she had to pause her love of theatre-going, lunching, reading yet another hard cover mystery novel, going to Cookie Beach, dabbling on social media and playing cards with friends. There was not a day that someone didn’t come by to visit with her and the number of get-well cards overflowed the mailbox every single day. She felt incredibly grateful for such caring and expressed it daily.
We will honour all that was Gloria on Sunday, August 26, 2018 on the ground floor of her favourite Port Dover restaurant, David’s, at 168 New Lakeshore Road from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please feel free to bring a memento or two to share for the afternoon as we remember the vibrant personality that was Glor.
She would welcome a charitable donation in her memory at either Norfolk General Hospital (where she was the Vice President of Patient Care for many years until she retired in 2005 and then was a patient this year, still sharing opinions and ideas to improve the care from her bed) at www.ngh.on.ca or Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services (an organization providing free services and programs for women with a wonderful annual fundraiser that she enjoyed with friends and family for many years) by e-transfer to hnws@hnws.on.ca.
The comfort of having a friend may be taken away but not of having had one.
Bob Smythe
SMYTHE, Robert Walker — Passed away at Dover Cliffs LTC, Port Dover on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 in his 73rd year. Born in Simcoe on July 2, 1946, son of the late Frederick Joseph and Berniece Hilliard Smythe. Survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Dennis Goldsberry of Hamilton, a nephew Gregory Goldsberry of Toronto, a niece Eleanor Smith and her husband Dan of Hamilton and two great-nieces, Bridget and Aurora Smith. Bob was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Port Dover. He graduated from the University of Guelph, OAC Diploma course in 1967 and later in 1974 with a BSc in agriculture. In 1985 he obtained a Master of Agriculture degree from the University of Florida. He was a part-time instructor at Fanshawe College in Simcoe for brief periods during the 1960s and 1980s, but was mainly engaged in raising Angus beef cattle and Suffolk sheep over the years.
Services to be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson Waters Funeral Home, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530). For those wishing, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, St. Paul’s Anglican Church or the University of Guelph would be appreciated. On-line donations and/or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca
Published August 29, 2018
Rick Bedding
BEDDING, Richard Lee (Rick) P.Eng. – With broken hearts but deepest gratitude for his life, the family of Rick Bedding announce his death on August 25, 2018 at his home in Port Dover at age 70, much too young for this intelligent, talented, fun-loving guy whose life motto was “Go Big or Go Home.”
Born in Simcoe, he was predeceased by parents Bert and Marj Bedding and in-laws George and Edna Smith. He is survived by wife Kate, sister Joanne Paczay (Larry Cooper), brothers-in-law Wayne Smith and Brent Smith (Annette) as well as nieces and nephews.
Rick died from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which first appeared seven years ago and enjoyed over six years cancer free.
He graduated from University of Waterloo as a Mechanical Engineer but mostly worked on civil engineering projects, accomplishing many large assignments from plant expansions and refits to a biofilter. He loved getting out of the office and working on job sites where he could hang his hat in the construction trailer.
Rick was happiest near or on the water and enjoyed years of sailing, fixing up our tugboat, crewing on work tugs, moving boats between Dover and Florida and cruising the world on ocean, river and freighter cruises. Early retirement, 15 years ago, gave him the opportunity to finally build his dream workshop and then become part of a woodworking group initially tutored by the late Todd Wilson who challenged the group to make a guitar; he went on to make tables, cutting boards, Muskoka chairs and garden trellises. All of his projects turned out well but he often joked that it was a great hobby “making big pieces of wood into small pieces” and if he failed, there would be extra firewood and sawdust for the compost.
Learning soon after marrying Kate 45 years ago that it would be best if he was the cook, he developed his skills as a chef and made everything from simple dishes like meat loaf for the tug boat crews to gourmet meals for friends. Rick liked to share his knowledge and was often praised for mentoring in the workplace. He also enjoyed coaching others whether it was his woodworking friends, a neighbour needing help or a friend who liked a recipe. With the advance of his illness, he took on the challenge of teaching Kate how to cook, a chore she avoided from week one of the marriage as well as house maintenance.
Always modest, he was embarrassed by compliments so would like you to remember him wearing his favourite Hawaiian shirt, bombing around town in his Corvette and thinking about problems that needed fixing. In lieu of flowers, you could honour Rick by supporting your favourite charity.
A visitation will be held at Port Dover Yacht Club, 62 River Drive, Port Dover on Friday, August 31, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. followed by refreshments. Arrangements entrusted Ferris Funeral Home, Simcoe. Online condolences at www.ferrisfuneral.com.
Ora Mason
MASON, Ora Albert, of Port Dover, passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Norfolk Hospital Nursing Hospital on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 in his 86th year. Loving husband of Annie for 65 years (September 5). Cherished father of Debbie and Rob Cromwell and their family, Lianne and Ben Pike and their children Ella and Jack, Tim and Rachel Cromwell and their child Lucas; Marvin Mason; Kevin and Cheryl Mason and their family, Kayla and Scott MacDonald and their children Alexander and Nathaniel, Kara and Derek McKenzie and their children Madison and Jade; and Jeff Mason. Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of Muriel Birdsell, Russell and Lillian Robinson, Marie and Vic Powell, Alvin and Janis Robinson, Joe and Connie Sue Robinson, Rhea and Jim Mummery, Victor and Linda Robinson. Predeceased by his parents Albert and Luella, brother Laird and his wife Doris, brothers-in-law Wilfred Birdsell and Lea Robinson and sister-in-law Betty Robinson.
Ora was a lifelong farmer in Norfolk and will be sadly missed by his friends and neighbours.
Family and friends were invited to share their memories of Ora on Monday, August 27, 2018 for visitation 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the Funeral Service in the funeral home Chapel at 1 p.m. at Thompson Waters Funeral Home, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530). Cremation followed. The Reverend Kathryn Vance officiated. For those wishing, donations to Marburg Hall or Norfolk General Hospital Nursing Home would be greatly appreciated. On-line donations and/or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca
