Obituaries

Born February, 2 1931 in the beautiful green hills of Zagorje, Croatia. Peacefully at home with his loving family by his side, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Josip Surbek at the age of 89 years, beloved husband of Ilka Surbek (Alilovic). Loving father of Mary (known by him as Maca), Doting Fater-in-law to Chris Cvetkovski (and the late Alar Pahapill). Sadly missed by his sister: Pina Greguric (the late Milan), and predeceased by Marija Papov (the late Josip), Ivan (Pina), Stanko (Angela), Eddy (Ankica). Forever in the hearts of his many nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and close friends who were like family to the Surbeks both here and throughout Europe. https://www.heritagefuneralcentre.ca/obituaries/Josip-Surbek?obId=19544698#/obituaryInfo

MILLER, Lester (Joe) passed away peacefully on Monday January 4, 2021 with the warmth of family all around him, in his 90th year.  Joe was the beloved partner of Charlotte (Noble), much loved Dad of Brad (Beth), Deb, Ken (Sue), Karen (Murray), Wendy (John) and extended family Debbie (Michael) and Sue (Dave) and children.  He will be missed by his 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  He leaves behind his sister Shirley Snow, Roly (Doris) Miller, Gerry (Karen) Miller, predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters.  Predeceased by his wife Elaine and son-in-law Doug. Joe was a lifetime member of Ironworkers Local 721.  He helped build many large buildings, parts of the subway system in Toronto and many other great structures in Ontario.  He finished off his career at the Ontario Power Generation. Joe was a very kind and good hearted man, husband, father, grandpa and friend.  His door was always open to everyone.  He loved to dance and entertain and there was always enough food to feed any friend that his kids would bring home.  He loved his cottage and later home on Cordova Lake, golfing and enjoying early evening fishing.  His strong values and consideration and respect for others was just who he was.  His smile, happy demeanor and beautiful blue eyes will live in our hearts and memories forever. We would like to thank the wonderful nurses and doctors at the Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg for taking great care of Joe.

With heavy hearts and great sadness we announce the death of Michael Raymond Bridgeman on December 20, 2020.  He passed quietly in his sleep.  Mike was born on St. Brendan’s Island, Newfoundland on August 12, 1923, son to William and Mary Anne, brother to Jack, Martin, Bernard, Alice, Margaret (all predeceased). Beloved husband of 64 years to Mary. Dear father to Linda (Glen), Eileen (Chris), Doreen, Michael (Fawn), Bill (Fiona) and John (Catherine). Loved by his grandchildren Chris (Angela), Justin (Courtney), Ashley, Liam, Delaney, Sadie, Jack, Billy, Kaitlyn and Jacob, as well as great grandchildren Felicity, Isabelle, Madison, Charlotte and Peter.  He was a much loved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Mike grew up building and sailing schooners to fish cod and salmon on the Grand Banks and the Labrador, joining the crew when just 12 years old. He was very proud of his time at the splitting table.  Like many a Newfoundlander before and since, he saw opportunity and a future for his family in Toronto, moving there in the 50s. After a few years in Scarborough, Mike and Mary moved to Pickering in 1967. Being the father of three boys, he was always happy to help with coaching duties in both WestShore and Holy Redeemer leagues, mostly hockey but baseball too. A devoutly religious man, he was very active in the Holy Redeemer church community, where he became involved in the Manresa Retreat House, captaining retreats for over 40 years.  Mike was an active member with the Knights of Columbus, a charter member of the Holy Redeemer Council for over 60 yrs. Mike was also a proud member of Ironworkers Local 721, and only when his health stopped him did he cease marching with them in the Labour Day parade, some 50 years. https://www.arbormemorial.ca/mceachnie/obituaries/michael-raymond-bridgeman/59579

Jason Poole (originally from Colliers, NL), a proud member of the Iron Workers Local 721, passed away on November 29, 2020, after a courageous and challenging battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).  He was taken from us way too soon at the young age of 45.  Jason will live forever in the hearts of the pride and joy of his life, his precious 5-year-old daughter, Georgia and his spouse Brandy Hewitt.  He will never be forgotten by his loving mother Shirley, sister Peggy Ann (Steve), brothers Aiden, Terry, Jerry (Denise), and Ed, sister-in-law Alanna Poole, and mother-in-law Shirley Hewitt and their families.  And he will be sadly missed by extended family, numerous friends and his co-workers of the rodbusting world. Jason was warmly welcomed by the predeceased members of his family, his father John, and his brothers John Jr and Tony. 

Here is Isaac Rodgers’s obituary. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences.

We are sad to announce that on November 22, 2020 we had to say goodbye to Isaac Rodgers (Brampton, Ontario)

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/19002991/Jailall-Panday/wall

It is with deep sadness that the family of Bernard “Bernie” MacDougall announces the passing of their brother on November 13, 2020 at the age of 86. Bernie left his home in Cape Brenton at a very early age. Shortly after he joined the army. He served in the Korean War. When he returned, he worked on various jobs before following in his older brothers’ footsteps by joining the Ironworkers Union Local 721. Bernie was predeceased by his wife, Mildred, parents Daniel and Mary, three sisters, Mary, Margaret, Catherine and brothers, Jimmie, Frank, Johnnie, Joe, and Peter. All of his brothers were Ironworkers except Jimmie and Joe. Bernie is survived by one son, Daniel and two brothers R.J. (Ron) and Donnie both of whom are Ironworkers. Memorial service will take place at a later date post COVID. We will miss him greatly.

Here is Roy Jefferies’s obituary. Please accept Echovita’s sincere condolences.

It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Roy Jefferies (Stayner, Ontario), who passed away on November 10, 2020. Family and friends can light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Roy Jefferies to show support. He was predeceased by : his parents, Neil Jefferies and Violet Jefferies; and his siblings, Bernice (Harold King) and Gerald (Dorothy Jefferies). He is survived by : his wife Patricia; his sons, Chad (Sonia) and Gregory (Andrea); his grandchildren, Kiara, Cameron, Jade and Austin; his sister Eileen (Claude Vaters); and his brother-in-law John (Florence Horwood). He is also survived by his many nieces, nephews and friends

“Calvin Rowe Van Horne, son of the late Bethune and Winston Van Horne was born on January 12,1950, in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica West Indies and passed on October 22, 2020. Calvin attended Savanna La Mar Secondary School. After he graduated his passion was to be a plumber, and his dream was to travel. He was successful in accomplishing both. He was an excellent plumber and enjoyed helping his family and friends with their plumbing needs. He travelled to the Bahamas, Cayman Island and Canada as his final destination and home. He became a Canadian Citizen, and worked very hard to achieve all his goals, including going back to school (George Brown College) to attain another trade as a welder and became a proud member of the Iron Workers Union. He met and married the love of his life Barbara Lashley. They shared 50 wonderful and inseparable years together.Their marriage produced six children combined, two sons and four daughters. Shelly, Ricky, Kathy, Davon, Dawn and Kevin. Calvin was a loving, caring family man who worked very hard and provided for his family. He made sure that Barbara and the kids had all they needed and he was always there for the family. Calvin loved his family dearly and he cherished his grand-children. He was always there for them and his love and dedication for his family can be seen in the relationship they had with him even unto death. Calvin was loved by everyone who knew him, always willing to help, very seldom he would say no. No matter how sick he was or if he was in pain, he never complained he put his trust in God and prayed. One of his greatest passions was cooking and eating. He loved good food and he loved to cook. As a family we always enjoyed many of his special dishes that he liked to prepare. Holidays were always fun because everyone looked forward going to Dad/Granddad as he was affectionately called, knowing he would have lots of good food for everyone (and drinks). The last thing he did for his beautiful wife was to make her favourite barbecue. Calvin is survived by his wife Barbara, six children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. Three brothers and one sister all living in the USA, nephews, nieces, cousins countless family members ,and many friends all over the world. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him. May his soul rest in peace, Perpetual Peace.

Hughes, Brian Born in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan Ireland on February 17, 1936 and passed away peacefully at home in Toronto on October 20, 2020. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Patsy). Loving father of Margaret (Robert), John (Julie) and Marion (Patrick). Proud grandfather of William (Gabriella), Ryan (Laura), Kathryn, Jennifer (Christopher), Marie (Sean), Andrew, Clare and great grandfather of Zoe and Charlie. Will be greatly missed by his siblings and extended family in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Brian was a longtime member of the Iron Workers Union Local 721 and The Royal Canadian Legion. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/scarborough-on/brian-hughes-9861022