Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29

Bemrose, Frederick Albert
On July twenty-fourth, Paris, Ontario lost one of its most popular and respected citizens when Fred Bemrose passed away in Brantford General Hospital. He was 99. Born in Paris and a lifelong resident of the town, he was one of its most enthusiastic and knowledgeable advocates, serving for almost four decades as the first curator of the Paris Historical Society, founded in his living room by a group of history buffs in 1972. After his 1981 retirement from Penman’s Knitgoods Ltd., where he worked as a salesman covering south-western Ontario, he turned full-time to the business of collecting hundreds of old photographs, artifacts and records, as well as writing a weekly history column in the Paris Star. People were constantly writing Fred to find out about their forebears, and he always took as much time as was necessary to help them, as careful about getting his facts straight as he was about dressing stylishly. A handsome, charismatic man, Fred was the son of working-class parents, Gertie and Walt Bemrose, who immigrated to Canada from the English Midlands in 1910. The Depression forced him to leave school early to work in Penman’s, though he gave up neither his extensive reading nor his music. Over the years, he played solo cornet in the Paris band, sang in the Presbyterian church choir, and played the piano with a light and easy touch. Somehow he also found time to serve on the Paris library board, including several years as chairman. In 2004, Fred was predeceased by his beloved Jean, his wife of 61 years. He is survived by sisters Lucy and Gladys, daughter Kathryn Bemrose and her partner, Ashley Johnson, son John and his wife, Cathleen Hoskins, granddaughter Alix Bemrose and her husband, Matthew Remski, great-grandson Jacob, and in-laws Cal and Marguerite Reid.

LITTLE, Irene Leslie (nee Gordon) – At Brantford General Hospital, after a lengthy illness, on Saturday May 16, 2015, of Paris and formerly of Acton in her 74th year. Beloved wife of William “Bill”; loved mom to Lorrie Cooke (Richard), Todd Downey (Melissa), Tim Downey, Tom Little (Judy), Patricia Gormley (David) and the late Michael (Janice); cherished grandmother to 4 grandchildren and 3-great grandchildren; loved daughter to Margaret and late Harold Gordon; dear sister to Lorraine Piers (the late Bob), Lawrence Gordon (Olive), Gloria Roswell (the late Jim), Arnold Gordon (Sherri) and Sylvia Penney (Gerard). Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the WM. KIPP FUNERAL HOME , 184 Grand River St. N. Paris on Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Services will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday at 11:00 AM with Father Michael Bennett officiating. Cremation to follow. Donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Brain Tumour Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences and donations may be arranged through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp (519) 442 3061.

ATTLEBERY, John Dickson “Dick” – In Memory of John Dickson “Dick” Attlebery of Paris, Ontario. Loved Husband of Marcella “Marcy” Attlebery (nee Lavoie) Father of Andy (Crystal) and Ted (Marguerite) Grandfather of Baxter, John, Quinn and Brooke Brother of Ed Attlebery (Carole Ann) Uncle of Jennifer Oviedo, Eric Attlebery, Denise Pelton and Pat Lavoie. Born St. Thomas, Ontario on December 27, 1935. Died at his home in Paris on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Funeral Service at the Wm. KIPP FUNERAL HOME, Paris o n Monday, March 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Dr. Stephen Hendry officiating. Interment Paris Cemetery. Dick earned Most Outstanding Boy honours at Paris District High School in 1953. He threw the first touchdown pass for PDHS before they even had a football program. Dick went on to marry the “prettiest girl in town” – Marcella Anne Lavoie and danced her off her feet for the next 55 years. A beloved English teacher at Herman E. Fawcett Secondary School in Brantford, Dick enjoyed a very long retirement, and cherished the wedding/birth/athletic announcements of former HEFSS students. Coaching, Yearbook, Librarian, Drama and Culinary Consultant, Mr. Attlebery considered his job an absolute privilege. Teaching was his true calling, and he never took it for granted. After a stellar athletic career, Attlebery took to the bench as a tireless Coach for many Paris teams. His Chateau Bantam squad took All-Ontario in 1978, and his Little League all-star teams were the stuff of legend. An avid Golfer, who loved to Fish, Curl, and play Cards. Dick even owned Standardbred race horses back in the 70’s. As a founding member of the Paris 29ers Fastball Club, Attlebery turned many a double-play with Mickey Jones, George Fair and Gary Heath. Dick’s numbers started to slide the past few seasons, but his tenacity, and love of the game kept him in the starting lineup Sunday mornings. May his grandchildren always remember that man who watched and cheered as they continued his love of life. To the former gang at the Royal – “all the best”. To the Fawcett crew – “all hail the Prince of Siam!” To the 29ers – “now you can pinch-hit for me”. Play Jerry Lee Lewis will ya….