BOY KILLED ON BIKE
LITTLE CURRENT – A funeral service was held last Friday for a 16-year-old local youth who died April 15 after being struck by a car.
Dead is Mark Cooper, of 10 Blake Street. He had been riding his bicycle on Manitowaning Road when he was struck from behind by a vehicle carrying a crucially ill infant to the Manitoulin Health Centre, police here said.
Apparently the driver, Gerald Elliott, of 32 Meredith Street, was taking his daughter and her sick child to the hospital when he encountered the cyclist heading towards the town core. Police say Mr. Elliott changed lanes to pass the bicycle, but it too swerved into the left hand lane.
As of Monday, Ontario Provincial Police were awaiting a decision from a crown attorney as to whether a charge would be laid or an inquest held.
The sick infant was said to be in good condition Monday and ready for release. Mark Cooper was well liked by his teachers and schoolmates at Manitoulin Secondary School where he was in Grade 11. He was an active youngster who enjoyed a variety of sports.
Manitoulin Expositor, April 23, 1980
WIKY YOUTH DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A CAR IN NORTH BAY
NORTH BAY – A Wikwemikong youth died in North Bay’s Civic Hospital last Thursday, May 1, after being struck by a local motorist two days earlier. A funeral service was held from Little Current Monday of this week for Robert D. Pelletier 16, after resting in the Pontiac School auditorium.
The Ontario Provincial Police detachment in North Bay say the youth was struck by a car when he was crossing the intersection of Highway 11 and O’Diren just outside the city. The police report that he died of head injuries and Coroner T.V. Richardson of North Bay had decided against holding an inquest.
Michael K. Walker, 21, of North Bay has been charged with running an amber light in connection with the incident.
Manitoulin Expositor, May 7, 1980
WEST BAY MAN DIES
ELLIOT LAKE – In a freak accident Friday, a West Bay man and one other were killed in a tragic mine cave-in at the Dennison uranium mine.
Norman Debassige, 23, of West Bay, and Marcel Boutin, 37, of Elliot Lake both died when a 2,500 ton rock ceiling collapsed. Another man is still missing, while a fourth person, Perry Colquhoun, 20, of Elliot Lake, was able to run to safety.
Manitoulin Expositor, June 25, 1980
MARK MIGWANS DIES IN DROWNING
WEST BAY – The number of drownings in Manitoulin waters climbed to seven Thursday in the death of a West Bay man in the North Channel.
Provincial Police divers recovered the body of Mark Migwans, 39, a reserve resident at about 7 pm Thursday.
Police say he and his wife were fishing when Mr. Migwans fell out of the boat while pulling up an anchor. His wife, a non-swimmer drifted a short distance to shore.
Manitoulin Expositor, July 16, 1980
MAN IDENTIFIED IN ’74 DROWNING
ESPANOLA – Ontario Provincial Police here have released the name of a 1974 drowning victim found in the North Channel, August 13.
Police say the man has been identified as Frank Oliver, a former resident of the Little Current area. He died December 24, 1974, when his snowmobile went through a hole in the ice.
Police had a difficult time making positive identification, but finally succeeded when a set of keys found on the body were identified as Mr. Oliver’s. One key was found to fit the snowmobile which had been recovered.
Manitoulin Expositor, September 17, 1980.
SHEG MAN DIES AFTER RIFLE WOUND
SHESHEGWANING – Ontario Provincial Police in Gore Bay say a 25-year-old resident of this community died September 19, apparently of a rifle wound. Wayne Thomas Joseph Endanawas was found dead in a fishing boat on the western shore of Cyril Bay at about 4 pm, last Thursday. He had apparently been shot with a .22 calibre bullet.
The police were notified about one hour later, Constable Don Watson, the investigating officer said .
A funeral service was held in Wikwemikong.
Manitoulin Expositor, October 1, 1980.
3 DIE IN TRAGIC CRASH
INDIAN POINT – A 21-year-old woman has been charged with careless driving in connection with a tragic one-vehicle accident, October 1, which took the lives of three area residents.
Dead are: Harvey Crawford, 54, of Gordon Township; William Burns Middaugh, 38, of Gore Bay; and Barry Bruce Campbell, 21, of Gordon Township.
The victims were all passengers in the cab of a 1979 GMC truck believed to have been driven at the time of the accident by Darlene Townsend of Meldrum Bay. A fifth passenger in the truck’s cab, Ronald Paul Middaugh, 21, of Gordon Township, and Ms. Townsend did not receive serious injury.
According to Ontario Provincial Police in Gore Bay, they believe the truck was being driven by Ms. Townsend when it struck one side of the north end of Indian Point Bridge, about midnight last Wednesday. It then careened to the other side and back again, plunging through guard rails to end upside down in three feet of water in Wolsey Lake.
Shortly afterward a Gore Bay ambulance on the way to another location passed by and the attendants saw a light in the water. They stopped and freed Ms. Townsend who was stuck to part of the wreck. Next, they pried open a door to free Ronald Middaugh whose uncle William Middaugh was among the victims, OPP Constable Don Watson said.
The survivors were taken to the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current for examination and released.
Ms. Townsend has been charged with careless driving, Constable Watson said.
Manitoulin Expositor, October 8, 1980
JIM JORDAN DIES
WHITEFISH FALLS – Ontario Provincial Police in Espanola say they are continuing an investigation of the death of a 52-year-old Little Current man who apparently drowned on Saturday, April 26.
Dead is James Jordan, a long time Little Current resident.
A police spokesman said Monday there is no reason at present to suspect foul play, but the OPP are continuing to seek witnesses who might contribute information about the fatal incident. The coroner has not yet decided if there will be an inquest into the death, he added.
According to information gathered by police, Mr. Jordan was last seen in Whitefish Falls Hotel between 11 pm, April 26 and 1 am. He was reported missing to the OPP in Little Current two days later.
Manitoulin Expositor, May 7, 1980
HOLMES – IMESON
The families of Margaret Florence Holmes and Russell David Imeson invite you to share in the joy of their children’s marriage on Saturday, November eighth, nineteen hundred and eighty at six-thirty in the evening. Saint Paul’s Anglican Church Manitowaning, Ontario.
Manitoulin Expositor, October 29, 1980
SEARCH RECOVERS ONE; ONE MAN STILL MISSING
WIKWEMIKONG – Members of the Wikwemikong Indian Band and the Ontario Provincial Police were continuing their search efforts earlier this week to find the second of two men lost in a March 1 snowmobile accident.
Anthony Roy of Wikwemikong was found by OPP divers last Saturday in about 70 feet of water. Still missing Monday night was Harold Strain of Sheguiandah. The two men died March 1 when a snowmobile they were on ran into an open stretch of water between Prairie Point in Wikwemikong and Badgeley Island while they were travelling to Killarney.
The tragedy touched off reaction across Manitoulin and in Killarney, with people travelling from as far as Gore Bay to offer help in the search, or just give their moral support.
Local people also hired professional divers, and rented a metal detector for the search.
At Prairie Point, the base for local search efforts, there were about 125 people waiting for word from the search scene one mile away. In a camp, there was food for everyone participating in the search.
It was in that camp on Saturday morning that a religious service for the missing was held. The priest also blessed some cedar boughs which, in accordance with Indian tradition, were later strewn on the water of Georgian Bay.
Scant minutes after the boughs touched the water, word was received that the first man had been found.
Out on the ice, at the edge of the open water, people spoke occasionally, but most were silent as they watched search boats 200 yards away. Occasionally the massive ice would crack with a sound like muted thunder. A woman cried silently, and later a man did also. All were determined to continue until the deed was done.
Manitoulin Expositor, March 12, 1980
HAROLD STRAIN BODY RECOVERED
LITTLE CURRENT – Six months to the day after an accident took the life of Harold Strain of Sheguiandah, his body was found floating in the waters of Georgian Bay, September 1.
Ontario Provincial Police here say a commercial fisherman spotted the body about 10:50 am, Monday. It was near Twin Islands off Badgeley Island, about two miles from the area near Prairie Pont where the fatal accident occurred, March 1.
Another man, Tony Roy of Wikwemikong also lost his life when a snow machine the victims were riding went into an open stretch of water. Police divers found the body of Mr. Roy one week later, but eventually had to give up the search for the remaining victim.
Manitoulin Expositor, September 13, 1980.
DROWNING VICTIM DIES IN HOSPITAL
A Little Current youth died Thursday as a result of injuries suffered in a drowning a week earlier.
Kevin Caswell, 14, was swimming in 12 feet of water July 17 when he failed to surface. Two friends searched for him and when they couldn’t locate him, told a swimming instructor, who was teaching a class nearby.
The boy was found and was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by the instructor. An ambulance took him to hospital where he remained in a coma. Police say he was taking medication for epilepsy.
Manitoulin Expositor, July 30, 1980
BOAT CRASH KILLS ONE
WIKWEMIKONG – A Wikwemikong man has been charged in connection with a fatal boating accident Friday which killed one man and injured two others.
Julian Rivers of Wikwemikong was killed when the boat he and two occupants were riding in was struck by another craft being driven by Eric Corbierre, also fo Wikwemikong.
Ontario Provincial Police say Mr. Corbierre was returning from Killarney to his home on Rabbit Island about 11:30 p.m. in his 22-foot Starcraft when he collided with Mr. Rivers’ 14-foot fibreglass boat about 300 yards off shore.
Mr. Rivers was killed instantly while two members of his party, Isadore Fox and Kimball Maiangowi, both of Wikwemikong, were taken to hospital treated and released. Mr. Corbierre suffered minor injuries.
Mr. Corbierre was charged with dangerous operation of a boat.
Manitoulin Expositor, September 3, 1980
WILBER HOWARD DROWNING
Manitowaning – Ontario Provincial Police here say a resident of the community drowned last week off the government dock.
Wilbert Howard, a long time resident of Manitoulin, drowned sometime before 6:30 pm Tuesday, September 9, when the body was discovered. Police did not know on Monday of this week exactly when the drowning occurred.
Dr. Jack McQuay of Mindemoya is the coroner.
Manitoulin Expositor, September 17, 1980
BOND – MANELLA
On Saturday, June 21 Mr. Barton Bond and Miss Denise Mannella were wed in the Glad Tidings Tabernacle, Sudbury.
Denise the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mannella of Capreol.
Bart the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Bond, Little Current.
The couple were attended by Lucia Mannella, maid of honour, sister of the bride. Wendy Chuipka of Sudbury, a girl friend, Lorrie Bond, sister of the groom.
Paul Skippen best man, Greg Bond brother of the groom and Rendell McDonald of Toronto were ushers.
Following the wedding was a beautiful luncheon for wedding party and family at the Sheraton Caswell Hotel.
Later that day the couple enjoyed a dinner and reception for family and friends at Little Current Legion Hall. Mr. Allan Montgomery of Aylmer, Ont. master of ceremonies at the dinner.
The couple are residing in Elliot Lake where Bart is employed with Rio Algom as a stationary engineer and Denise with Saint Joseph’s General Hospital as laboratory technologist.
The couple would like to say thank you to everyone who made their day such a special one.
Manitoulin Expositor, October 1, 1980
HEISE – WILSON
Miss Molly J. Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Wilson was married September 20, 1980 to Mr. Rodger D. Heise, son of Mr. and Mrs. Boyne Heise. Rev. Stanley Tomes performed the ceremony at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Little Current.
Mrs. Madge Mitchell of Ottawa, was the matron of honour. The bridesmaids were Mrs. Ruth Wilson of Little Current, and Corey Bazley, of Sudbury. The flower girl was Carrie Morris, Welland.
The best man was Mr. Reg Drolet, of Little Current. The two ushers were the brothers of the groom, Myron Heise of Little Current and Nolan Heise of Sudbury.
The reception followed at the Royal Canadian Legion, Little Current.
Manitoulin Expositor, October 29, 1980
McGLADE – SLOSS
A lovely summer wedding took place August 16, 1980 at Lyon’s Memorial United Church, Gore Bay when Deborah Lee Sloss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sloss of Gore Bay became the bride of Wayne McGlade, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McGlade of Sudbury.
Rev. Chris McKibbon officiated at the double ring ceremony. Vicki Lynn Wilson was organist and accompanied Myra Duncanson as she sang, “Twelveth of Never” and “The Wedding Song.”
Attending the bride were Nancy Orford, sister of the bride, as matron of honor; Beverly Sloss, sister of the bride, and June Clarke, friend of the bride, acted as senior bridesmaids, while Lila Sloss, cousin of the bride was junior bridesmaid. The groom’s attendants were best man, Clem Roberts, friend of the groom; Joe McGlade, brother of the groom, and Gordon Orford, brother-in-law of the bride, served as ushers, with Richard McGlade, brother of the groom as escort for the junior bridesmaid.
Following the wedding, guests were received by parents of both the bride and groom at a dinner and reception at the Gore Bay Community Hall.
Guests attended from Brantford, Toronto, Montreal, Sudbury, Massey, Sprague, Whitefish as well as Manitoulin Island.
Following a honeymoon trip around Lake Huron, the couple have settled in their home in Sudbury, Ontario.
Manitoulin Expositor, November 19, 1980
ROBERTS – TURNER
Mrs. Edwin R. Roberts is pleased to announce the recent marriage of her daughter Elizabeth Lee, to Mr. Grant James Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Byron G. Turner of Little Current. Betsy is the daughter of Mrs. Edwin R. Roberts and the late Mr. Edwin Roberts of Granville, Ohio, whose family has been vacationing on Snake Island for the past nineteen years.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree last May, cum laude, from Denison University in Granville, majoring in Anthropology.
Grant attended public school in Little Current and Upper Canada College in Toronto, then studied history and geography at the University of Waterloo, followed by a retailing course at Connestoga College. He joined his father in business here in January, 1979.
The couple were married in Sudbury on October 24, attended by Miss Anne and Mr. Jib Turner. They will reside for the winter in Manchester, Vermont where they have been employed at a ski resort in the Stratton-Branley ski area. A wedding ceremony will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Granville, Ohio next April.
Manitoulin Expositor, November 12, 1980
SCHAEFFER – WILLIAMSON
St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church, Mindemoya, Ontario was the setting for the wedding of Katherine Anne Williamson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Williamson, on Saturday, September 1, 1979 to Mr. Paul Steven Schaeffer of Stratford, youngest son of Mrs. Ella Schaeffer and the late Jacob Schaeffer who passed away suddenly two weeks prior to the wedding.
The double ring ceremony was conducted by Canon Bain Peever of Cornwall, Ontario a family friend.
During the ceremony Mrs. Sweitzer of Big Lake played the organ and Miss Karlene Hallett cousin of the bride sang The Lord’s Prayer and Color My World. Entering the church on her father’s arm the bride was beautiful. She wore her mother’s wedding dress, a floor length gown of white Swiss embroidered lace over nylon taffeta, designed with ‘V’ neckline and fitted bodice trimmed with tine covered buttons down the back to the waist with long, unlined sleeves coming to a point at the wrist.
She wore the groom’s gift of a cultured pearl necklace with matching earrings and carried a cascade of red roses and pink carnations.
Attending the bride were Miss Joan Krantz, maid of honor of Stratford, and bridesmaid Mrs. Christine Lewis of Sudbury and Miss Tracey Lamb, cousin of the bride, of Pickering.
The attendants wore identical floor length gowns of polyester fabric in a pale blue with small dark flowers. They were designed with lace inserts at front yoke, and high ruffled lace collars and lace trimmed cumberbands at waist. The flower girl, Miss Karen Malcom niece of the groom wore a similar dress but had a pale blue organdy apron. They all carried cascades of roses and blue violets except the flower girl who carried a basket of the same flowers.
Mr. Jim Sippel of Stratford was best man. The guests were ushered by Mr. Neil Schaeffer brother of the groom and Mr. Floyd Williamson only brother of the bride. The groom and ushers all wore navy tux with pale blue carnations. The ring bearer was Jason Monkhouse cousin of the bride, he also wore a navy tux.
The bride’s mother wore a long yellow gown with a sheer autumn colored, flower overlay.
The groom’s mother wore a long gown of pale blue polyester fabric with a pleated skirt and a draped bodice with fan shaped pleated sleeves.
A hot supper was served for 125 people in the community centre for family and close friends followed with a reception and buffet supper for about 400 relatives and friends.
For going away, the bride wore a dusty pink suit with a burgundy blouse and accessories.
After a honeymoon to California, Kathy and Paul returned to Stratford where Paul is a chartered accountant and Kathy a seamstress.
Manitoulin Expositor, February 13, 1980
LUCK AND VIVIAN TILSTON FETED ON 40TH
Mr. and Mrs. James (Luck) Tilston of Manitowaning were honoured recently on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. Part of the celebration with their family was a beautiful meal at the Family Brown Restaurant in South Baymouth.
Their son Jim, and his wife Louise and two children live in Sudbury where Jim teaches; their daughter Jane, lives near North Bay with her husband Bill and three children, and owns a business.
Luck and Vivian were married in Manitowaning and have lived nearly all their married life here where they raised their family.
Both are now retired from teaching and enjoy more time to visit friends and to travel. Their many friends wish them years of health and happiness to them both.
Manitoulin Expositor, November 19, 1980
GRAVELLE 65TH ANNIVERSARY
On November 22, 1980, Mr. and Mrs. Louie Gravelle, formerly of Little Current, no living in Hespeler, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a family diner and evening reception at the Odd Fellows Hall in Hespeler.
The dinner was attended by their three sons and their wives – Perce and Anne from Whitefish Falls; Lloyd and Nell from Sudbury; John and Shirley from Mississauga; and daughter Maureen and husband Albert Christian from Cambridge. Their many grandchildren and great grandchildren also attended. Attending the reception from Little Current were Kathryn Mitchell, Marg Morphet, Wilf and Kay Varey, Bud and Joyce Michie, and from Sudbury, Alan Varey, Laure Lachapelle, Mary and Clayton Campbell.
Manitoulin Expositor, December 10, 1980