Kingsway Kiwanis

Stanley Robert Nicholson
Passed away peacefully on March 29, 2011 at the age of 95.  Stan was a Kiwanian since 1957, and a founding Member of Humber Valley – serving as President in 1970-71. He was married to the late Grace Nicholson (nee Temple). Dear father of Bev Hilton (Bob) and Barb Hornby (Doug). Cherished grandfather of Robert (Carolle), Danielle (Scott Melee), Geoffrey (Jennifer) and great-grandfather of Brooke, Ashley, Rachel, Tyler, Justin, Grace, Max and Sam.

Syd Collier
February 9, 1920 – April 12, 2011. He was a proud Kiwanian since 1965 and President of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsway 2001-02. He gave back to the Community for 45 years in the Kiwanis, 25 years Ride for Sight, 25 years at West Park in the amputee outreach program, motivating others.  He was married to Sue, father to Susan and David, and grandfather to Bryn and Alex.

Donald Kerr
Don passed away on Thursday, December 15 2011, at the age of 90. He was a dedicated Kiwanian since 1964 and served as president in 1990/91 and Lt. Governor in 1995/96. Don was born in  Montreal, Quebec May 11, 1921 . Leaves best friend Yvonne Pepper; Children Patricia, Deborah, Donald, Charles, Desirèe; Gandchildren Jesse, Jamie, Lauren, Ian, Deanna, Holly and Andrew; Great-Grandchildren Abbey, Liam, Victoria and Charlotte. Predeceased by Wife Doris (Pat); Son Campbell and Grandson Nicholas. After graduating University of Toronto Schools (UTS) and working for Bell Canada, Don joined the 2nd Division Signals as a signalman then attended the Officer’s Training Centre rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He volunteered for overseas duty in 1942, landed with the troops at Gold Beach on D-Day. Don was promoted to Captain and, in the postwar years, to Major. He served as an Aide de Camp to Ontario Lieutenant Governors, the Honourable Keiller MacKay and Honourable Earl Rowe.  In October 2011, Don received the Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation. Don had an outstanding career in the land development and Real Estate industry. A strong advocate for municipal planning, he participated in the development of Canada’s `”First Planned Community” Bramalea, projects in Orange County, California and ultimately assembled large tracts of land into what has become the heart of Mississauga. He served as a member of Etobicoke Council from 1965-1982.

Richard Bland
Dick passed away at Toronto Grace Hospital on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the age of 88. He was a dedicated Kiwanian since 1972 and served as president in 1982 and secretary for six years, and he also supported many other charities. Beloved husband of Marion for 64 years. Loving father of David (Mary-Ann) and John. Very proud grandfather of John, Kristin and Mackenzie. Dear brother of Barbara Lewis. Sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and their families.

John Briers
John was a Kiwanis member since 1980. President 1988-89, Lt. Gov. Division 7 from 1992-1993, EC&C Market Director 1991-95 and Charter President of Credit Valley 1995-96 and an Honorary Member. John passed away Monday, January 30, 2012 at the age of 70. Beloved husband of Marlene for 43 years. Loving father of Lisa MacLachlan (Dave), Shelley Jonker (Gary) and Stephanie Holden (Mark). Proud Papa of Daniel, Nicholas, Sarah, Alison, Rachel and Jacob. Cherished son of Helen and the late Jack Briers.

Ernest Du Vernet
Q.C. 1920 – 2012 Born June 3, 1920 Kitwanga BC – Passed March 14, 2012, Toronto. He was an active member of Kiwanis for over 50 years. Devoted husband of almost 65 years and survived by Sylvia (nee Niemeier). Proud father of Peter-Paul (Dawne), Christopher (Hellen) and Timothy. Grandfather to Kaleigh and John-David, and Devon and Jennalee. Predeceased by his sister Alice (Ritchie). A lawyer in Toronto for over 60 years, Life Member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. His early years were in the remote native settlement of Kitwanga amongst the native people, with the legacy of his Grandfather, the Archbishop of Caledonia. Ernest developed an appreciation of native skills, traditions and crafts, and a life-long love of nature and the outdoors. In Hamilton, Ernest met Sylvia in first form High School at Central, where she was assigned to sit in front of him to be a steadying influence. Ernest attended McMaster University, then enlisted to serve his Country in the Second War. Ernest was recruited to the artillery, into intelligence, and assigned to the then new and strategically critical use and development of radar. Ernest served in various locations throughout the South Pacific, was promoted to command positions, and left the service as a Major after he had returned his troops to Canada. Upon his return, Ernest graduated from Osgoode Hall. He was a long time member of St. George’s on-the-Hill Anglican Church. He was President of Humber Valley Village Home and School. Ernest also loved serving as a Trustee of the Royal Ontario Museum, which allowed him to share his interests in and enthusiasm for people, places, arts and artifacts, past and present, from all corners of the globe. Ernest was a long time member of the Art Gallery of Ontario. He was unfailingly modest, and gracious. He was a Renaissance man.

Tom Smith
There will be a Memorial Service for him on Saturday, October 6th at Humber Valley United Church.

1923 – 2012 Our dear Tom/Bob passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Toronto General Hospital on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 surrounded by his loving wife of 62 years, Mabs (Lane) and adoring children Elaine and Peter. He enjoyed an evening surrounded by his wonderful grandchildren Jennifer and Melissa Smith; and Stephanie, Ben and Paige Maxwell; his son-in-law Gord and daughter- in-law Kim; with loving thoughts from his grandchildren in British Columbia, Stephen and Chris Hurley, sons of Tom’s beloved deceased daughter Susan (Smith Hurley) Dufton. Tom was a proud great-grandpa to Jackson Hurley (son of Steve) and Althea Susan Hurley (daughter of Chris). Tom will be missed terribly by his family and friends in England and Canada. His great sense of humour will be missed by all who knew him. We are especially grateful to all of Tom’s doctors and the medical staff at Toronto General Hospital for their loving care and concern for him and our family. We welcome all our friends and family to a Celebration of Tom’s Life on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Toronto followed by a reception in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, the family would greatly appreciate donations to Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, please specify “Curing Kidney Disease Fund”. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca

Tom joined the Kiwanis Club of Humber Valley in 1983 and was president in 1990 and 1991.  His wife Mabs joined in as a Siniwik which helped with all aspects of the club and fundraising.  For one of our fundraisers, Tom’s garage was always a warehouse.  He has suffered health issues for the past few years and was unable to attend club as often as he would liked but he was always there in spirit.

JOHN W. BEDELL
At home, after a brief illness on Saturday, October 20, 2012 in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Fern, his wife of 60 years. Survived by his daughters – Karen (Robert) Bennett, Debra (John) DeFields and Carolyn and by his grandchildren, Amanda, Danielle and Dylan DeFields, Jeremy and Melissa Knight and Sherry (Vince) Bennett. Also survived by his sister, Dr. Bernice Hill of Boulder, Colorado. Predeceased by his granddaughter Crystal Nicole DeFields. John was a member of the Kiwanis Humber Valley for 48 years. He was President of The Kiwanis Club of Humber Valley in 1970-71 and also served as Secretary for two years. John and Fern joined Royal York Road United Church in 1952. He was employed for 36 years with the Etobicoke Board of Education. During that time he served in numerous locations and in various positions of responsibility. He often said that he had worked with and for many good persons who were doing truly excellent work for a good purpose. This sentiment, combined with his great talent and people skills made him a role model for other Superintendents at the Board of Education. He was much admired and respected by his colleagues.

REG BALLS
Reg passed Peacefully at Etobicoke General Hospital on Monday, January 21, 2013, in his 94th year. Dearly beloved husband of the late Yvonne. Loving father of Robert, Cathy, Geoff and Stephen (Kim). Cherished grandfather of Leanna (Michael), Joseph, Gianpiero and Matthew . Remembered by many friends at Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, and Kiwanis Club of Kingsway Humber where he was president  in 1986.