|
Lester Ferguson Lester C. Ferguson, a Second World War veteran,
died peacefully at his residence in Kincardine, on Thursday, Nov. 26,
2009.
Born in Huron Township, near Amberley, on Aug. 11, 1917, he was the son
of the late John Ferguson and Idella Potter. After serving as a corporal
in charge of ambulances with the Fourth Canadian Armoured Division in
the Second World War, Lester lived in Toronto, working as a carpenter.
Following his marriage to Audrey MacMurchy in 1948, he returned to the
Ripley area to farm on the 6th Concession of Huron Township. Lester and
Audrey were always very involved in the community. He was one of the
founding members of Community Living Kincardine and District and served
on the CLKD Board for more than 40 years.
Even this year, though his health was failing, Lester managed to take in
one of his favourite events - the Ripley Fall Fair. For many years, he
was a member of the Ripley Agricultural Society and served on many fall
fair committees as well as taking his turn as president. One of Lester’s
great enjoyments in life was music and no matter how busy he was, he
always found time to accompany Audrey to a local dance. For more than 50
years they never missed a Ripley Fall Fair dance.
While farming, Lester also managed, with Audrey's assistance, to be a
lay preacher at Zion and Riversdale United Churches for 10 years.
Pine River United Church was Lester's church from the time of his birth,
and he took an active part in church activities there all his life. It
was very fitting that a service of remembrance and celebration was held
at Pine River United on Monday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m.
Assisting as ushers were Gert Larsen, Charles Liddle and Steve Eadie.
Participating in the candle-lighting were Sandra Fry and Michael
Ferguson. Special music was provided by pianist Patt Lowry, organist
Dianne Rotteau, soloist Margaret Shoesmith, trio members Glenn Boyd, Bob
Rutledge and Lynn Lowry, piper Jennifer Farrell, and many other talented
members of the Pine River choir.
Grandchildren Jon, Mike, Janice and Stuart provided some memories and
thoughts about their grandfather. Rev. Robert Putman officiated at the
service with Rev. Carol (Ferguson) Bullock, Lester's niece, reading the
Scripture. Pallbearers were Ken, Stuart, Janice, Doug, Michael and
Jonathan Eadie. Honourary pallbearers were nephews Glen, Ron, Grant, Roy
and Kevin Ferguson, Mark Humphrey, Murray and Lynn Ferguson, and Larry
Irwin. Flower bearers were Kim Eadie and nieces Brenda Hutton, Marsha
Stark, Carol Halliday and Diane Ferguson.
09/12/2009 12:12 AM
|
Audrey and Lester
Lester was buried at the Ripley Cemetery and will be sadly missed by
his wife Audrey, his son Allan Ferguson, his daughters Anne (Doug) and
Joan (Ken) Eadie, grandchildren Janice, Stuart, Michael, and Jonathan (Evadne)
Eadie, great-granddaughter Aliya Eadie, and sister-in-law Margaret
Ferguson, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his
brothers Bill and John (Myrtle), and his sisters Nan (Roy Geddes),
Evelyn (Ed Pitt), Annie (Leonard Irwin), and Wylda (Wilmer MacKay),
sister-in-law Norma Humphrey and brother-in-law Cecil Humphrey.
Donations to Pine River United Church and Community Living Kincardine
and District were greatly appreciated as expressions of sympathy as were
many other acts of kindness. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the
MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Homes. The Ripley Legion held a service
of Remembrance for Lester, a former padre, on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009.
Lester Ferguson
|
for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...
