John Douglas Pilgrim

October 15, 1945 – November 19, 2024

John passed peacefully, after a short battle with cancer, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry, surrounded by his loving family. John lived a life filled with family, service to his community, and a love for life. Travelling throughout Canada and the U.S. with his wife, the late Janette (née MacDonald), and later with his loving partner Gloria, he always returned home to his roots, building his legacy at the family cottage on Foote Lake.

John’s service to the community included founding his own TV and appliance repair business, serving as a Home Hardware and Home Furniture dealer for 48 years, a Brock Township Volunteer Firefighter for 47 years, a Boy Scout Leader, a Sunderland Lions Club member, a Sunderland Business Association supporter, and a member of both St. Andrew’s United Church in Sunderland and Trinity United Church in Cannington.

John’s family ("Team John") would like to thank the Lakeridge Health Port Perry staff, Oak Ridges Hospice staff, and the doctors for their support and loving care during his brief illness.

John is dearly loved and will be missed by Gloria; George and Carrie; Charlene and Lorne; Kristina and Luke; Kelly and Dave; Dan and Todd; grandchildren Alicia, Brooklyn, Cara, Meghan and Jerry, Ben and Daniel Roman, Ashlyn, Seth, Carson, Quade, Owen, Auston, Devon; great-grandson Cyrus; and his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Visitation: The family will greet visitors at St. Andrew’s United Church in Sunderland on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Celebration of Life Service: Sunday, December 1st, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church in Sunderland, with a reception to follow at the Sunderland Legion.
Final Resting Place: A private graveside burial has already taken place at Sunderland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Oak Ridges Hospice or the Port Perry Hospital Foundation.

Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at Thorne Funeral Home.

Colleen Elwanda Tait

1951 – November 16, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Colleen Elwanda Tait (nee Lockhart) on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at her home in Cannington, at the age of 73. Beloved wife of Glenn Tait, Colleen was a devoted mother, loving Nana, and cherished friend to many.

She is lovingly remembered by her children Melissa Tait of Ottawa; Amy Kobialko and her husband, Leonard, of Calgary; Johnathan Tait and his wife, Cara, of Sunderland; and Kevin Tait and his wife, the late Amber, of Cannington. She was a proud Nana to Nicholas, Connor, Callie, Adelyn, Dawson, and Charlie. Colleen will also be missed by her brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, and her many friends.

A service to celebrate Colleen’s life will be held at Trinity United Church, 50 Laidlaw Street North, Cannington, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 2:30 PM. Light refreshments and fellowship will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at Thorne Funeral Home.

In Loving Memory - Remembrance Day

November 11, 2024

On this Remembrance Day, we honor the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Let us pause to remember and reflect, as we join together to express our deepest gratitude for their courage, dedication, and love of country.

In the words of John McCrae:

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below."

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

— John McCrae

Remembrance Day Services:

• Sunderland Legion Service: 10:15 am, Monday, November 11, 2024, Sunderland Legion Branch #141, 104 River Street, Sunderland, Ontario
• Cannington Legion Service: 11:00 am, Monday, November 11, 2024, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #186, 72 Peace Street, Cannington, Ontario

Directions to each location are available by viewing the map or emailing the Legion.

Memories and messages of gratitude may be shared in a keepsake book for family, friends, and future generations.

Hugh Robert Baird

October 27, 1933 - October 25, 2024

With great sadness, the family of Hugh Robert Baird announces his peaceful passing on October 25, 2024, at Lakeview Manor. Born on October 27, 1933, in Reach Township, Hugh spent his life dedicated to his family’s century farm, a cherished heritage since 1826. He was a faithful member of the Greenbank United Church and contributed actively to his community through organizations such as the Ontario Plowman’s Association, Guernsey Breeders Association of Canada, 4H Club, Junior Farmers, and several choirs, including the County Town Singers and Port Perry Choral Society.

Hugh is mourned by his wife of 66 years, Roberta Baird (née Bone), his children Kenton Baird (Kerry), Robert Baird (Terri), and Jennifer Baird, and his grandchildren Matthew, Kathleen, Jillian O’Conner, Patrick, Quinton, Graham, and Gibson. He was a loving great-grandfather to Easton, Grayson, Jameson, Silas, Kendra, Lachlan, Aurora, and Archer. He was predeceased by his sisters Iva Phoenix (Fred), Glennys Simmons (Cecil), Helen Parish (Morley), Mona Mustard (Mac), and Marilyn Snoddon (Cecil).

Visitation and Service Details:

First Visitation:
Greenbank United Church
19991 Hwy # 12, Greenbank, Ontario, Canada
Friday, November 1, 2024, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Second Visitation:
Greenbank United Church
Friday, November 1, 2024, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Third Visitation:
Greenbank United Church
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Funeral Service:
Greenbank United Church
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 11:00 AM

Following the service, a family-only interment will take place at McNeil Cemetery in Wick. A light lunch will be served by the UCW at Greenbank United Church.

Memorial donations may be made in Hugh’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry, or Greenbank United Church, arranged through Thorne Memorial Chapel (705-432-2672).

Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at Thorne Funeral Home.

Ted Gill

1941 - 2024

It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ted Gill at his home in Sunderland on October 18, 2024, at the age of 83. Ted was the beloved husband of Elizabeth (née McInnis) and a devoted father to the late Lois Alpine and the late Paul Gill. He was a loving grandfather to Ryan, Nash, Jaxon, and Kennedy. Ted is also remembered fondly by his daughter-in-law Jennifer and will be missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Ted was a dear brother to the late Mitchell, Vertle, Gary, Russell, Patsy, Shirley, and Rosie. His family and friends will remember him with love and respect for his warmth and dedication.

A private Masonic celebration of life will be held at the King Edward Lodge No. 464 Masonic Hall, 5 Albert Street South, Sunderland, for family, close friends, and Lodge members, by invitation only.

In memory of Ted, donations may be made to the King Edward Lodge No. 464.

Memories, photos, and condolences may be shared at Thorne Funeral Home.