Obituaries

FRANCISCO, Martin “Marty” - Peacefully, surrounded by love at his home on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in his 85^th year. Beloved husband and soulmate of Heather Francisco. Loving father of Marianne Francisco (Mike), Colleen Francisco (John), David Francisco, and Laurie Seth, and grandfather of Jacob Graham, Jesse Graham, and Liam Garcia. Dear brother of Dianne (John), Linda, and Thomas. He will be missed by his extended family, many friends, neighbors, and past colleagues. ... [more]

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McDONALD, Linda – Unexpectedly at the Palmerston and District Hospital, on Monday, June 5, 2023 in her 73^rd year. Beloved wife of Doug, together for over 44 years. Cherished mother of Kenny Grightmire, Dwayne McDonald (Doreen), Paul McDonald (Sarah), and Heather Keefe (Clayton). Loving grandmother of Brandon, Cody, A.J., Tamara, Zoey, Amelia, and Hunter, and great-grandmother of Audrianna, Adelynn, and Chloe. Dear sister of Murray (Caroline), Barry (Bonnie), Kathy, and Karen.

She ... [more]

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DIGIOVANNI, Romano - Suddenly as the result of a car accident on Saturday, May 27, 2023 in his 87^th year. Beloved partner of Betty White. Predeceased by his partner, Joyce Sparks. Loving father of Debbie (Sue), Victor (Pamela), Audra (Peter); and step-father of Joyce’s children: Stacey (Christine), and Tracy (Francis). Cherished by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survived by his siblings: Enzo, Sue, Alfi and their families; and by Betty’s children: Rodney (Gaye), ... [more]

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HALE, Ronald “Ron” Joseph – Suddenly as the result of a car accident on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in his 68^th year. Cherished partner of Chris Davis for 34 years. Loving brother of Robert (Pat) Hale, Marie (Peter) Vaillancourt, Gina (Brent) Gerrie, and Kevin (Carol) Hale; and brother-in-law of Jenny Davis and Ted Davis. Dear uncle of Nathan (Amanda), Alicia (Derek), Jon, James, Justin, Matthew (Kayla), Lizzie (Cody), and God-daughter Hanna (Benn). Also remembered ... [more]

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PONSEN, Frans “Frank” – Peacefully at Wellington Terrace, Fergus, on Monday, May 15, 2023 in his 86^th year. Beloved husband of Emmy Ponsen. Predeceased by his first wife, Jopie Ponsen. Loving father of Frances Egerton (Doug), and Jackie Martin (Dave); and step-father of Marion Meyer, Jos Meyer, Lucy van den Bosch (Cees), and Petra Gunterman (Marcel). Sadly missed by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his siblings Piet Ponsen (Jane), Hans Ponsen (Derkga), and ... [more]

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KRUEGER, Glen W. E. – Peacefully at Strathcona Long Term Care on Friday, May 5, 2023 in his 80^th year. Beloved husband of Donna Krueger for 44 years. Loving father of Robert and Wendy (Angelo), and grandfather of Taylor, Marisa, and Olivia. Glen will be missed by his brothers Ross, Keith (Liz), Roger, and Grant (Sue), his sister Linda, his sister-in-law Annabelle (Mike), his brother-in-law Norman (Veronika), his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is predeceased ... [more]

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VAN LEEMPUT, Aloysius “Al” - Passed away surrounded by his loving family, at Strathcona Long Term Care, Mount Forest on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 in his 101^st year. Loving father of Angela and her husband Dan Seifried, Rosemary Kapp, Kathleen Goddard and her husband Steven Sayyea, and Joe and his wife Tracy van Leemput. Grandfather of Ryan Kapp, Mathew Kapp (Kaitlyn Serez), Stephanie Kapp (Jaden Baillargeon), Laura Kapp, Aaron Kapp, Jessica (Evan Frank), Alex Goddard, ... [more]

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BROPHY, Donald “Don” – Peacefully and surrounded by family at Strathcona Long Term Care on Monday, April 24, 2023 at the age of 90. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Lois Brophy. Loving father of Cindy Brophy, Susan (Wayne) Welsh, and Mark Brophy (Debby Zinger). Cherished grandfather of Tina (Travis), Ronnie, Shannon, Crystal, and Niki (Cody); and great-grandfather of Makayla, Cheyanna, Mason, Makenna, and Ryker. Don will be remembered by his extended family in Montreal. Predeceased ... [more]

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O’NEILL, Peter - Unexpectedly at Louise Marshall Hospital surrounded by his loving family, on Friday April 21, 2023 at the age of 56. Beloved husband of Peggy O’Neill (nee Vandenhoff) for 32 years. Loving father of Eric O’Neill and Kevin O’Neill (Miriah Argiro). Dear brother of Tim O’Neill (Janet) and Jeff O’Neill (Sandra). Son-in-law of Arnie and Elaine Vandenhoff and brother-in-law of Mark Vandenhoff (Michelle). Sadly missed by his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased ... [more]

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CONNOLLY, Mike

January 4, 1964 – April 10, 2023

At 59 years young, Mike Connolly has passed peacefully in his sleep after a fight against cancer. He leaves behind his two children, Blake and Joan Connolly, brothers Martin and Vince, sister Judith (Ron), along with many friends. Predeceased by his parents, Sylvia and Michael. 

Mike lived a simple life and lived it to the fullest. He loved animals ... [more]

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FRY, Stephen Robert “Steve” - It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Stephen “Steve” Robert Fry, peacefully surrounded by his sons and family at Hospice Wellington in Guelph, Ontario on April 5, 2023. Steve was born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England, on December 4, 1947 to Brian Augustus Charles Fry and Ada Alice Eldridge. Steve came to Canada as a young man, when, trying to travel the world, his world-travelling stopped when he met and married the love of ... [more]

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McCORQUODALE, Lawrence “Larry” - Unexpectedly at home on Sunday, April 2, 2023 in his 66^th year. Beloved husband of Rose Wells for 42 years. Dear son of Joan and the late Don McCorquodale. Loving father of Allie McCorquodale (Shawn). Dear brother of Scott McCorquodale (Janice), and Carol Kennell (Brad). Larry will be sadly missed by his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Alexander (2020).  Larry was a nature enthusiast. ... [more]

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WHYTE, Mary Patricia “May” – Born on June 24, 1939 to Patrick and Mary O’Connell. Passed away on March 22, 2023 at Strathcona Long Term Care. Predeceased by her beloved husband, David. Loving mother of Tina (Ernie) Smith of Arizona, Nancy (Bob) Trefry of Nova Scotia, Rose (Bill) Thibeau of Nova Scotia, Lyn (Jeff) Chappel of Mount Forest, Mary (Kevin) Whyte of Thorold, and Patrick (Kim) Whyte of Nova Scotia. Dear sister of Rosemarie (Don) Goddard of Oakville, and Evelyn O’Connell ... [more]

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CIAVARELLA, Len – Passed away suddenly on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in his home, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Christine Ciavarella for 58 wonderful years. Loving father of Richard (Aia) Ciavarella, Dylan Ciavarella, Carol-Anne (Garry) Pollock, Michelle Ciavarella, Lance Ciavarella, Angelina Ciavarella, Gino (Jennifer) Ciavarella and Rejean (Samantha) Ciavarella. Proud Papa of Noah, Joshua, Dylan, Kayleigh, Tyler, Lucas, Ben, Nick, Leah, Lucia ... [more]

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BELL, Laurence Gerald – Gerry passed away at Strathcona Long Term Care, Mount Forest, on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of Verna Bell for 65 years. Loving father of Catherine Bell (Paul Brandsma), Mike (Shang) Bell, and the late Joanne Bell. Dear grandfather of Andy (Anna) Langton, Stephanie Langton (Ken Leung), Eric Bell, and Matthew Bell; and great-grandfather of Oliver Langton and Samantha Leung. Survived by his siblings: Shirley, Dawn, Judy and Vern. ... [more]

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KENNEDY, Deanna Elizabeth (née Leake) – Peacefully at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, on Friday, February 24, 2023 at the age of 50. Beloved daughter of Margaret Alles and the late Glynn Leake (2015). Loving sister of Glynn Leake Jr. (Isabel), and Heather Leake (Andy). Dearly remembered by her five nieces and nephew, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. The family would like to thank Katie and Trudy from Grand River Hospital for their care and compassion. 

The ... [more]

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RAWN, Reta – Suddenly, but peacefully at Louise Marshall Hospital on Thursday, February 23, 2023 in her 93^rd year. Beloved wife of the late Lyle Rawn (2009). Loving mother of Barry Rawn and his wife Thelma of Fergus, Bev Rawn and his wife Donna of Guelph, Harvey Rawn and his partner Trish Clarke of Guelph, and Keith Rawn of Mount Forest. Reta will be sadly missed by her nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and their families. Dear sister of Pauline Brown and ... [more]

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GIBSON, Mary – Peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 in her 85^th year. Beloved wife of the late Art Gibson (2019). Loving mother of Ron and Heather, Paul and Sharon, Jack and Cindy, and Heather and Randy. Cherished and very loved grandma and great-grandma of Amanda and Ben, and their children Tucker, Tori and Bella; Jason and his children Taylor and Ava, and his partner Cindy, and her ... [more]

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GOULD, Barry - With deep sadness and a heavy heart we announce Barry’s passing on Sunday, February 5, 2023 in his 77^th year. His loving, devoted wife and best friend, Joyce Gould of 54 years was by his side. Barry is now at peace. There are so many special and cherished memories of Barry to hold close: his love of life, his farm, the dogs, especially Farley, Denny, Strycker and the cattle – yes, the cows all had names! Barry’s career started as a young salesman for ... [more]

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O’DONNELL, James “Jim” “Smiley” - It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of James O'Donnell on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Jim passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at home at the ripe age of 60. He leaves behind to mourn his three daughters: Krista (Shawn) Ellin of Espanola, Ashley (Kevin) Williams of Espanola, and Kortney (Bryce) O'Donnell of Kitchener. Beloved grandfather of Zachary, Nickolas, Liam, Wyatt and Declan. Loving partner ... [more]

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HUNTER, Dr. Stuart – Peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at Strathcona Long Term Care, Mount Forest in his 82^nd year. With love, pride and great respect, his five children, Jason, Lesleigh, Lyndsey, Jocelyn and Mandy, his 13 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren and his wife of 55 years, Jane say “may you have fair winds and a following sea” to a wonderful father and Husband.  While he had many passions, ... [more]

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RITHALER, Robert "Rob" Charles - On Friday, January 13, 2023 at the Louise Marshall Hospital, Mount Forest in his 68^th year. Loving husband of 33 years to Margaret Horman. Dear brother of John Philip Rithaler (Elizabeth) of British Columbia. Rob will be missed by his many cousins, extended family and friends. Predeceased by his parents Val and Helen Rithaler.

Rob’s biggest passion in life was his love of nature, whether reading about it or experiencing it firsthand. ... [more]

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BOND, Beatrice – You have worked so very hard and taught us well, now is your time to rest. We were truly blessed to be able to call such a special lady, Mom. We will miss you for the rest of our days and will keep all our special memories close to our hearts.

While you never want to see it end, it both breaks your heart and fills it at the same time when it does. After a life well lived with dignity, grace, love and kindness, and with an unwavering love and resilience, our ... [more]

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CARTER, Howard Jeffrey – Passed away at St. Joseph Health Care, Guelph on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the age of 64 years. Predeceased by his parents John & Betty Carter, brother Bob, and brother-in-law Ken. He is survived by his sister Linda. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Howard are asked to consider Cancer Patient Services, Mount Forest. Arrangements entrusted to the England Funeral Home. 

BILTON, Delmer Edgar – Passed away peacefully at Caressant Care, Harriston, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 in his 88^th year. Predeceased by his beloved wife Betty Bilton (née Weiser) (2003). Loving father of Deborah (Mike) Livingstone, Jeff (Donna) Bilton, and Michael (Jennifer) Bilton. Dear grandfather of Christine (Alex), Jennifer (Darryl), Avery, Lauren, Catherine (Russell), and Carolyn; and great-grandfather of Kenzie, Sebastian, and Lincoln. Survived by his sister ... [more]

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