Amherst Island Obits

Transcriptions of obits etc for Amherst Island.

Thank you Sharon Compeau for the following!

NOTE: "Unfortunately it does not list the year that he died but on the back of the writeup it lists phone numbers and they are way back when they only used 4 numbers as phone numbers. "

From: Kingston Whig Standard
Date: (from other source: Died March 15 1945)
Date: March 5 1945 from Helen Bulch whose husband is brother to Clarence
CLARENCE BULCH IS DROWNED CROSSING ICE

Clarence Bulch, Amherst Island, was drowned yesterday afternoon when a truck in which he was riding crashed through the ice at a point about three miles west of Collins Bay. Hugh Perry of Napanee, owner and driver of the truck, and Thomas Cochran, Stella, who was riding on the running board of the truck, escaped.

Mr. Perry, who owns the telephone system on Amherst Island was taking his truck with a load of freight from Kingston to Amherst Island Monday afternoon. Leaving No. 33 Highway, about three miles west of Collins Bay, just in front of the house of Ralph Revelle, Mr. Perry drove the truck out on the ice to make the crossing to the island. As the truck left the road, Cochran climbed out on the running board.

About 200 yeards from shore, there was a loud crash and the truck went down through the ice. Cochrane was thrown a distance of 50 feet by the crash and landed scrambling on the ice. Perry and Bulch, who were both inside the cab of the truck, went down with it. Perry came back up to the surface and was helped out on to the ice by Cochrane.

The water is deep at that point as the accident occurred over the channel used by the lake boats. Layton Gordon, who was working near-by, tried with a long pipe pole to reach the truck but could not even touch it. No effort was made last night to recover the body but provincial police from Napanee are investigating the accident.

Clarence Bulch, 31 was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bulch, Amherst Island. He was a farmer on the island but worked in the Kingston Shipbuilding Company during the winter. He had lived on the island for the past 25 years.

He is survived by his parents, his wife, the former Iona McGinn, Amherst Island; two small children and a brother William in the Navy.

From: Kingston Whig Standard
Date: 1965/66?
GEORGE R. BULCH
Gananaque resident George R. Bulch, 96, died there Dec 16 after an illness of four months. He was born in Pittsburgh Township, a son of the late John and Mary Bulch.

Mr. Bulch previously resided on AMHERST ISLAND. He retired from farming 26 years ago. He worshipped in a Presbyterian Church and was a member of Burleigh LOL 482.

Surviving are a brother, Herb Bulch, of Bath; three grandschildren, Mrs. Avery (Annie) Brown, Edward McCormick and Jennie McCormich of Stella; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Rev. M. C. Young and Rev. Z. A. Dunn officiated at a service held Dec. 18 at the Vernon Lindsay and Son funeral home. Burial was Glenwood Cemetery on AMHERST ISLAND.

Pall-bearers were Melville Tilson, Seaver Wemp, Moutray Wemp, William Barnes, Gordon Barnes and Kenneth McFadden.

From the Kingston Whig Standard
DATE: January 2002
WILLARD, D. Eldon
Retired
Amherst Island Ferry Captain

Peacefully at St Mary's of the Lake Hospital on Wednesday, January 9, 2002 in his 72nd year. Beloved husband and best friend of Elsie Reid. Much loved father of Janice and her husband Eric McGinn, Doug and his wife Gail. Fondly remembered by his grandchildren Ryan, Brent and Ashley. Dear brother of Verna Reid (Jack). He will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home, Main St. Odessa on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Saturday at 1 pm. from St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (Amherst Island) with Rev. A. Chisholm officiating. Interment Glenwood Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy the family would appreciate donations to Helen Henderson Charitable Foundation or the Diabetes Association.

FROM:Kingston Whig Standard
DATE: Saturday, January 19, 2002
Retired ferry captain an ambassador for island
By Ann Lukits
Whig-Standard Staff Writer

A RETIRED AMHERST ISLAND FERRY CAPTAIN who was affectionately known as "the mayor of Stella Point" was remembered this week for his passionate interest in yard sales, flea markets and anything to do with water.

D. Eldon Willard died recently following a brief illness. He was 71. Retired since 1989, Mr. Willard joined the Amherst Island ferry at the age of 16 and worked his wasy through the ranks, serving as deck hand, mate, captain and senior captain. At the age of 59, he left his cherished position on the ferry because of a chronic back pain.

Whether he was on the job or away from it, Mr. Willard had an abiding love for large bodies of water. His widow, Elsie Willard, said the last photograph of her husband was taken during the Tall Ships visit to Kingston in July, shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer.

During the first few years after his retirement, the couple travelled widely, on one occasion taking a memorable boat trip up the Pacific coast to Alaska.

"It seemed to me that where ever we went we ended up looking for a boat," said Mrs. Willard.

The son of an Amherst Island farmer and school teacher, Mr. Willard came by his nautical interests naturally. Two of his uncles served as captains on lake boats and a third worked as a first mate. His grandfather had been a commercial fisherman.

In his early days with the ferry, there was only one crew memeber (today there are four) and Mr. Willard was often required to work seven days a week. Treacherous weather conditions could wreak havoc with winter crossings, especially in the days before the bubble system was installed to maintain an open channel between the island and mainland.

Mrs. Willard recalled one marathon trip when the ferry got stuck on the ice. On that occasion, the one-way trip took 34 hours.

The ferry's communication system wasn't very sophisticated in those days and Mrs. Willard said she often worried about her husband. He loved the job, however, and relished the daily contact with members of the public.

"Everybody loved him," she said.

Raymond Wemp, who works as a mate on the ferry, knew Mr. Willard all his life and described him as a jolly person and a "very good captain to work for."

"He was a guy that I think could work with anybody. It was just the way he was."

Diane Pearce, chief administrative officer for Loyalist Township, knew Mr. Willard for more than 40 years. He was senior captain when she served as clerk-treasurer for the former Amherst Island Township.
I saw him as a bit of an institution," she said. "The ferry is a lifeline to the island and Eldon kind of supervised that lifeline, not only in his capacity as captain but he also had a good finger on the pulse of the island.

"He knew the comings and goings. He knew everyone. He had an interest in everything. It's fair to say he was an effective ambassador for the island.

Mr. Willard earned the nickname "mayor of Stella Point" for a job he created for himself after retirement. He helped to open, close and maintain cottages for the island's many summer residents.

He also had a passion for yard sales and flea markets. Every Saturday, he took the first ferry to the mainland and drove into Kingston so he could attend as may garage sales as he could squeeze into one day, Mrs. Willard said.

He brought his treasures back to the island where he meticulously cleaned and repaired them. In the summer months, the Willards teamed up to sell the refurbished goods at the Sunday morning flea market in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Bath Road.

"We did everything together," said Mrs. Willard. "I guess being a stay home mom and raising two children, you do everything together. You've raised your children together, we gardened together, we cut grass toghether - we were a team.

"I think living in a smaller community, too, you have a bond with not only each other but also with everybody around you."

Mr Willard was buried in Glenwood Cemetery following a funeral service at St Paul's Presbyterian Church on Amherst Island.

FROM: the Kingston Whig Standard
DATE: February 5th, 2002
TUGWELL, Samuel, Chester
(Formerly of Amherst Island)
Verteran WW11 RCAF, Wing Commander, Lancaster Bomber Squadron

Peacefully on Monday, February 4, 2002 at the Kingston General Hospital, Chester Tugwell in his 86th year. Dear son of the late Irvine Tugwell and Mabel McGinn. Former husband of Grace Tugwell of Montreal. Beloved husband of the late Hurbertina Claessen and father of the late Anthony. Dear brother of Earl Tugwell (Jean) and the late Gladys Martin and Edna Finnegan. Fondly remembered by his nieces and nephew Norma Wing, Betty windsor and Roy Martin and great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Paul G. Payne Funeral Home, Main St., Odessa on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with Rev. A. Chisholm officiating. Interment Gelnwood Cemetery, AMHERST ISLAND. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society as expressions of sympanthy would be appreciated by the family.

From: Kingston Whig Standard
Date: March 2002
D. Eldon Willard
Retired Amherst island Ferry Captain passed away peacefully at St Mary's of the Lake Hospital, january 9, 2002 after a six month battle with cancer. Eldon was the loving husband of Elsie Willard (Reid) and the only son of the late Claude and Ruth Willard (McCormick). Eldon was born on May 5th 1930 and lived with his parents and sister Verna on the South Shore of Amherst Island. He attended grade school in the SOUTH SHORE SCHOLLHOUSE in the Village of Stella. His family moved to Kingston in 1949 but Eldon remained on Amherst Island as he had already obtained a job on the very first Amherst Islander in the summer of 1947 working as a deck hand. he boarded in the village home now owned by Helen McCormick. Eldon attended Marine School (Queen's University) when the bay froze over and the boat tied up for the winter. He obtained his Mate's license and then in due time received his Captain's license (master of Minor Waters). Eldon worked on all three boats named Amherst Islander, in addition there was the Le Serelois, the Charlevoix (refitted as the Frontenac II) the Wolfe Islander II and the Upper Canada. He officially moved into the position of Captain in 1962 replacing the late Capt. William Cochrane. He took the position of Senior Captain in 1976. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1989. The longest service for any employee in the Township of Amherst Island. He joined the Board of the Amherst Island Mutual Insurance Company in 1997 and remained a director until his death. In retirement he acted as caretaker for cottage owners year-round, gardened, mowed lawns, and his garage was a source of anything to fix everything. His main hobbies were yard sales, auctions and flea markets and anything nautical. He was a member of St Alban's Anglican Church. He is survived by his wife Elsie and daughter Janice McGinn (Eric) and son Doug (Gail) and grandchildren Ryan, Brent and Ashley McGinn, one sister Verna Reid (Jack), Wilmington, Delaware and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was held Saturday, January 12, 2002 at St Paul's Presbyterian Church with Rev. Andrew Chisholm and Dr. Harley Smyth officiating. The pallbearers were Everette Kerr, James Reid, Michael Reid, Garry Hitchins, Ryan McGinn, Brent McGinn. Interment was at Glenwood Cemetery.

From George Halladay
From the Watertown Daily Times,
23 May 1938, page 13
MRS. MARY DENNE (sic) EXPIRES, AGED 82
Mrs. Mary Dennee, 82, widow of Alexander Dennee, died at her home at 168 Palmer street this morning at 2:45 after a long illness. She suffered an embolism May 9. Shortly before her death, Mrs. Dennee dictated to a daughter a resume of her life for publication in her obituary.
Mrs. Dennee was born at Amherst Island, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 10, 1855, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Gault Dennee. She came to this country as a young child, first living in Cape Vincent. She had lived in Watertown the past 60 years.
She was married to Alexander Dennee 47 years ago in this city. He died about 26 years ago. Mrs. Dennee was a member of Faith chapel and of the Faith chapel Sunday school for years.
Surviving are a son, Frank Dennee, city; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Lindsell, city; a step-son, James Dennee, whereabouts unknownl a grandson, John Edward Lindsell, city; a sister, Mrs. Cora Ada, Cape Vincent.
Private funeral services will be held from the home Wednesday at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 from Faith chapel. Interment will be made in the North Watertown cemetery.

From Maureen Deacon
Transcribed by Jerry Vaughn
IMAGE
REID, Edward Gordon
At Helen Henderson Care Centre on Monday, March 13, 2000, Gordon Reid in his 96th year. Beloved husband of the late Georgia Brown. Dear father of Strattan (Barbara), Marian Glenn and Elsie Willard (Eldon). Predeceased by his son-in-law Marshall Glenn. Predeceased also by his brother David. Survived by 3 grandchildren Janice McGinn (Eric), Douglas Willard (Gail), and Jim Reid (Sandra) and five great grandchildren, Ryan, Brent, and Ashley McGinn and Brooke and Brandon Reid. The family will receive friends at the Robert J. Reid & Sons Funeral Home, 309 Johnson Street (at Barrie) on Wednesday, March 15 between the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. from St. Paul�s Presbyterian Church, Amherst Island. Interment Glenwood Cemetery, Amherst Island. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul�s Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or the charity of your choice.

From Maureen Deacon
Transcribed by Jerry Vaughn
IMAGE
Ernest Reid, 72, Passes Away
The death of Ernest Reid occurred in the Nokomis Hospital on Friday, July 3rd, following a short illness. A memorial service was held in Fotheringham�s Funeral Chapel on Sunday, July 5, 1964.
Ernest E. N. Reid was born on Amherst Island, Ontario, on Nov. 4, 1894. He came west in 1906 and lived here until 1922 when he went to the USA and worked as a mechanic, returning to Canada in 1951 to make his home with his brothers.
Veteran of World War I, Ernest Reid enlisted in the 195th Battalion in March, 1916. He was also a member of the IOOF Lodge, No. 63. Deceased had obtained his certificate as steam engineer in 1919.
The late Ernest Reid is survived by two sisters and three brothers: Mrs. Florence Whiskin, Thorald, Ont.: Mrs Margaret Davey, Napanee, Ont.: Harold, Calgary: Avery, Watrous, and Herb, Renown.

From Maureen Deacon
Transcribed by Jerry Vaughn
IMAGE
Mrs. Frank Wiskin
Following a sickness of six months, the death occurred this morning, at the Oshawa General Hospital, of Mrs. Frank Wiskin of Thorold, Ont. She was in her 89th year.
The former Florence Mabel Reid, the deceased was daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Reid. Born April 8, 1881, at Amherst Island, in the Kingston area, she was married in Kingston in 1903. A resident of Thorold for eight years, she had previously lived in Napanee and Gananoque.
A member of St. Andrew�s Church, Thorold, Mrs. Wiskin was also a member of the United Churches in Napanee and Thorold. A member of the Rebekah Lodge at Napanee and formerly of the lodge in Gananoque, she had received her 50-year jewel and the highest degree of chivalry.
Predeceased by hr husband in 1942, Mrs. Wiskin is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Sanford Perry (Mildred) of Oshawa and Mrs. Seaver Prossser (Bessie), of Thorold; a son, Avery Wiskin of Oshawa; three brothers: Harold of Calgary, Avery and Herbert of Watrous, Sask.; six grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
The memorial service will be held at the Armstrong Funeral Home at 1 p.m., June 1? followed by interment in Bath? Cemetery. Rev. Dr. H. ? Mellow will conduct the service.
Friends will be received at the funeral home Wednesday afternoon.

Transcribed by Jerry Vaughn
IMAGE
GLENN, Marshall Foch
(Formerly of Amherst Island)
Peacefully at Friendly Manor Nursing Home, Deseronto on Saturday, February 14, 1998, Marshall Foch Glenn in his 80th year. Beloved husband of 50 years to Marian Glenn (nee Reid) of Bath. Sadly missed by two nieces, five nephews, three great nieces and four great nephews. Marshall is predeceased by his brother Gordon, and sister Thelma. Resting at the James Reid Funeral Home, Cataraqui Chapel (Counter Street and Highway 2) on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service at St. Paul�s Presbyterian Church, Amherst Island on Tuesday, February 17 at 2:00 p.m. Interment Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations made to St. Paul�s Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated by the family.

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Peter Rogers
Kingston Whig Standard
Sept 17, 1936 page 5
MRS. NESSIE GLENN
Death came with a startling suddenness to a well-known resident of Amherst Island in the person of Mrs. Nessie Glenn, aged 67 years, widow of the late Capt. Hugh Glenn. She had been about the house the day previous, performing her household duties, though she had not been in the best of health for two weeks. Her son, on going to her room in the morning, found her apparently seriously ill and before medical aid could be summoned, she passed away.
Deceased was a Presbyterian and a member of St. Paul�s Church. Surviving are two sons, William and Clifford, at home, four sisters, Mrs. Gaualin of Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Oates and Mrs. S. A. Strain of Buffalo, N.Y., and Mrs. E. Fleming of the Island, and three brothers, Samuel of Detroit, Mich., William J. and Thomas of the Island.
The largely attended funeral was held from the residence where service was conducted by Rev. R. K. Earls. Interment was made in the family plot in Glenwood Cemetery. The pall-bearers were Robert Glenn, Hugh Glenn, John Glenn, H. S. Patterson, R. E. Wemp and Charles McMullen.

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Peter Rogers
Kingston Whig Standard
March 21, 1937 page 7
MRS. NELSON INSTANT
Amherst Island - The oldest resident of Amherst Island passed away quietly at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. Fleming, Thursday evening last, in the person of Mrs. Nelson Instant, at the advanced age of 93 years. Mrs. Instant, until a short time previous to her death, had taken an active interest in her home life and was possessed of all her faculties. She was a life-long resident of Emerald and since the death of her husband a number of years ago, had kept house for herself in the old home until this winter when she went to the home of her daughter. In religion she was an Anglican and took and active interest in all departments of church work. Mrs. Instant leaves to mourn her loss three sons and one daughter, Mrs. H. Fleming of Stella, Fred P. of Adolphustown, and Reginald and Roddy, also of Stella. The funereal, which was largely attended, was held on Saturday from her daughter�s residence to the vault at Glenwood Cemetery to await interment in the spring. Rev.Thomas Leach had charge of the funeral service.

From Mildred King
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Paper?
Date: July 1914
Thomas Dennie
(b: October 20, 1852 d: July 30 1914)
Thomas Dennie died early Wednesday afternoon of infirmities of old age at the family home, 150 East Albany Street. He would have been 90 years old October 10.
Mr. Dennie was born on Amherst Island, Canada, but spent most of his life in Oswego. He was a member of the church of the Evangelists.
Survivors are: three sons Thomas, William, Robert all off Oswego; one daughter Mrs Michael James McMahon (Ella) of Oswego, and one-half brother Benjamin Dennie, Watertown. Funeral Arrangements will be announced Thursday.

From Mildred King
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Paper?
Date: Aug 1914
Thomas Dennie
Death Notice
The Rev. H.S. Sizer, rector of the church of the Evangelists officiated at the funeral of Thomas Dennie, held at the family home, 150 East Albany Street Saturday morning at 10 o�clock. Six grandsons acted as bearers. Internment was in Riverside cemetery, Cape Vincent, New York, where the Rev. L.F. Bacon conducted committal services.

The Islands: Obits: Amherst Island