St. George Lions Club

Ontario - Canada

Lion Marv Ireland

With family by his side, passed away peacefully at the Brantford General Hospital on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in his 88th year. Beloved husband of 58 years to Carol (nee Peterson; 2020). Loving father to Greg, Jeff (Dianne) and Barb (Jerry). Proud Papa to grandchildren Brandon, Chantel, Hannah, Ben and Jackson, and great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Ciara, Nathan, Naiya and Nash.

In his twenties, Marvin left the Caledonia, ON family farm to work in the HVAC trade. After marrying his sweetheart Carol in 1962, he completed 14 years of night school to further his education and began working at the Burtch Correctional Center, Ministry of Correctional Services, where he enjoyed a 28-year career before retiring as Chief Stationary Engineer.

Affectionately known by many as "Joe", Marvin was a true handyman. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix, and there wasn't anyone he wouldn't help, anytime, anywhere. Word in the community was "If you need something fixed, you call Joe".

Marvin was also a skilled hobby woodworker with an impressive portfolio of projects to his credit. In recent years he made dozens of beautiful hardwood cremation boxes for family and friends to cherish, and took great pride in knowing that his skills were appreciated.

He also loved fishing, golf and music. He played the saxophone and trumpet, and called square dances in his younger years. Three weeks before his passing at the age of 87, he was still playing the saxophone in the TCMS Concert Band. He was also an active long-standing member of the St. George Lions Club. For nearly six decades, Marvin and his wife Carol traveled annually to her hometown of Fredericton, NB to visit family. In retirement, they spent 20 years wintering in Myrtle Beach, SC, creating countless wonderful memories with many great friends.

Marvin was loved and respected by those who knew him, and will be dearly missed.

 

Lion Lyle Fair

It is with great sadness we announce Lyle's passing on January 8, 2024, at St. Joe's Lifecare Centre in his 74th year. Beloved Husband of Jill (Rosebrugh) of 50 years. Loving father of Stephen (Stefanie) and Lisa (Shawn). Proud PA of Neil, Marley, Kailey, and Tyler. Lyle is predeceased by his father Lorne, In-laws Roger and Barbara Rosebrugh, Brother Lloyd, Brother-in-law Paul and Sisters Pauline, Hilda and Eileen. Lyle is survived by his mother Alberta, Sisters Suzanne (Don), Betty, Brother Howard, In-laws Jim (Janice), Mary (Paul),Howard(Val),Sam(Adele),Ace, Judy(Rick), his many Nieces, Nephews and all the kids that have called him PA.
Lyle was a huge part of the St. George community. From starting an optimist club, umpiring, refereeing, running youth dances, coaching hockey, to being along time member of the St George lions club where he ran the effective speaking, Paris to Ancaster bike race and took his turn being president—he was a man that just couldn't say NO.
Most of Lyle's days were taken up being a diesel mechanic working on trucks and machines. Playing baseball and curling kept him active but most of all PA loved taking the grandkids camping, fishing, out for a ride to get treats, and watching them do the activities they loved most, We know he will continue to cheer them on from heaven.

 

Lion Ted Roberts

January 3, 1937 - September 22, 2023

Ted was very active in the community through many organizations including 60 years with the St.George Lions Club, St.George United Church, St.George Garden Club, Russell Heights and others.

Ted worked at Massey Ferguson as an industrial engineer for many years, Hussmans, Burlington Technologies and the Tim Hortons foundation in his retirement years. Ted enjoyed his community involvement, gardening, wood working, tinkering, camping, golfing, watching sports and spreading his good humour.

 

 

Lion Emidio Melara

OCTOBER 15, 1944 – MARCH 21, 2022

Lion Emidio Melara immigrated from Italy and became a refrigeration technician with Keeprite. He then started E & M Copper products and built it into a thriving business in Brantford. Emidio enjoyed nurturing his fig trees in big pots in his driveway. He also loved to garden. He had a garden right at his place of business and shared all the vegetables with his employees. Emidio always enjoyed cooking up his favourite Italian dishes. He enjoyed his many trips back to his homeland to visit family and built a home there for Barbara and himself to stay in while vacationing there.

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Lion Emidio Melara. Many of you will not have met Emidio as he has been dealing with his health condition for a number of years and because of Covid.

Lion Emidio and his wife Lion Barbara joined our club in 2012. Emidio was always a guest at the Men’s BBQ bringing a number of friends with him. He also enjoyed helping at other functions when his busy work life allowed it. He and Barbara were hosts to some international students who came to enjoy Bruce Murray Youth Camp.  Happily, Lion Emidio was fortunate to be able to travel to his beloved Italy a few times in the past couple of years with Lion Barbara by his side.  He will be missed.

 

Lion Murray Tottle

1942 - 2021

Lion Murray Tottle was a professional firefighter in Brantford for 30 years. He installed pools on his days off. Murray was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his children and grandchildren. Murray loved his hockey and a round of golf and he was very good at both. He enjoyed his time at the trailer and loved to go for coffee with the guys and shoot the breeze.

Lion Murray Tottle passed away suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 4^th.  A member of our club for 21years, Murray was Club President for the 2006-2007 year. Lion Murray was a regular at our meetings and well known for his dry sense of humour and his dissenting vote on just about everything we voted on. He will be missed and remembered fondly.

 

 

Lion Orton Eby

1929 - 2021

 

                                   

Lion Orton Eby was raised on a dairy farm on the edge of Kitchener. Just prior to marrying Delores, he took a job as the herdsman for Sheffield Farms. Orton eventually started to judge cattle. He was the youngest judge in the area. He became the best in a very short time and was in great demand. He started judging at fall fairs, then graduated to the CNE and the Royal Winter Fair. Next it was out to Manitoba and his career just grew from there on. In his spare time Orton liked to curl and play baseball and always enjoyed a few games of euchre after the Lions meetings.

Lion Orton Eby joined St. George Lions on Apr. 1, 1972. He served as Club President for the 1998-1999 year. Lion Orton was presented with a Melvin Jones Fellowship during his time with the club. Sadly, Orton died Nov. 25^th after a brief illness and hospital stay. We will miss his ever steady presence at our meetings.

 

 

Lion Wray Smith

1926 - 2021

Lion Wray Smith was born in Troy, Ontario and never left. He spent 95 years there. He worked for Western Ontario Cattle Breeders for over 40 years and made many friends in that time. Wray lived for his beloved Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Maple Leafs and more recently, the Toronto Blue Jays. Wray was an outstanding hockey player and coached several teams, after hanging up his skates. Wray was also an active member in Troy United Church.

Peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, Wray passed away on October 7, 2021 in his 95th year. Wray was a Lions Club member for over 75 years. He joined St. George Lions in 2004 and prior to this he was a Charter Member of Lynden Lions Club.  Lion Wray loved being involved with every event going. He is greatly missed by all members of our club. 
 

 

 

 

Lion Harry J. Witteveen

1928 -2021

Lion Harry Witteveen was the founder of Witteveen Meats. He served as Councillor and Deputy Reeve, of South Dumfries Township and eventually Warden for Brant County. He was instrumental in the fundraising, to build the St. George arena in 1970. Harry enjoyed his Friesan horses and driving his team hooked to special carriages including competing at the Royal Winter Fair.

Lion Jack Kay began his career as an auto mechanic and then, in 1976, opened his own truck shop in St. George. He was a volunteer firefighter in St. George, for 32 years, where he also served as Fire Chief for se eral years. He enjoyed his motor home and trips to Florida with his wife Sheila. He received the odd hefty speeding ticket, when he drove his car as Jack didin't like to waste any time, on the road. 

Lion Jack was a proud and contributing member of his community serving on the St. George Lions Club for 53 years. He was Club President 1982-1983 and a Melvin Jones Fellow. Lion Jack was also a Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Life Member.  We will miss Lion Jack who was devoted to to our club.

 

Lion Gordon Landry

May 5, 1953 - April 9, 2020

Lion Gord Landry was a machinist and an active member of the St. George Garden Club. Gord liked spending time on the lake in his boat and rolling down the road on a warm summer day, in his antique car. Gord loved to watch baseball and he liked to decorate his house for Christmas. In 2013, before joining the club, he won first prize in the Lions Christmas light contest.

It was with great sadness that we received the news that Lion Gord Landry had died at Stedman Hospice on Thursday, April 9^th. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and his daughter Chantal was at his side when he passed.

A member of our club since 2018, Gord was a dedicated Lion and will be missed. 

 

 

Lion David William Ritchie

October 5, 1937 - May 16, 2018

 

Lion Dave joined St. George Lions in 1998. Prior to joining our club, he had been involved with other service clubs. He brought a wealth of experience in serving his community to our club. During his time with the club, Lion Dave served as Bulletin Editor, Membership Chair and was President for 2011-12. He received a Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Life Member Award. He is greatly missed.