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- Vernon Bryden, 91
Robert Vernon Bryden, of RR#2 Spencerville, died at Brockville General Hospital on Nov. 19, 2005 at the age of 91. He was born on Dec. 25, 1913 at Galt (now Cambridge), Ont. His parents were James Bryden and the former Annie Mary Rodd. He was raised on a farm near Galt. He attended a one-room public school and Galt Collegiate and Vocational School. He married Margaret Grace Ritz on Feb. 5, 1938 in Galt. Mr. Bryden started out as a mechanic in a small Toronto garage which he later purchased. He worked in maintenance at Rowntree Chocolates in Toronto. He was a precision grinder making Enfield rifles in Long Branch (Toronto) until the end of the war. He was loaned to John T. Hepburn, which made shell lathes and needed precision grinders. In 1945, Vern and his brother bought two jewellery stores in Niagara Falls, where he learned watch-making and jewellery repair. He bought a Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership in Port Perry in 1952. In 1956, he and his brother Arthur bought two jewellery stores, one in Prescott and one in Kingston, where he worked until he retired in 1976. His wife worked in the store with him for the 20 years in Prescott. He was a member of the Rotary club for 49 years and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He had a huge garden and he gave away most of his vegetables and fruits. He was always there to help his family, no matter what the task, and to help his fellow man. Vern had four sponsored children from World Vision, and he asked his children to maintain the sponsorship after his death. He was a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott, and his church meant a great deal to him. He and his wife Margaret travelled coast to coast in Canada in their motor home and spent several weeks each year in Florida for many years. Vern was a kind, loving, generous and energetic family man with the ability to repair almost anything and who loved life and lived it to the fullest. It is with sad and heavy hearts we bid him adieu until we meet again. He is survived by his son Robert Vernon Bryden of Spencerville and Shirley Anne (John Allan) Thom of Athens, five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and six nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, brothers Arthur and Gordon Bryden and daughter-in-law Norma Jean St. Denny Bryden. Visitation took place Nov. 22, 2005 at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott. The funeral was held on Nov. 23 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Reverend Ian MacLean officiated. Burial took place at Sandy Hill Cemetery, Prescott. Pallbearers were grandchildren Margaret Thom-Knol, Judith Utman, Robert III and James Bryden and John Thom and grandson-in-law David Utman. Honourary pallbearers were Earl Nielsen, Andy Britnell, Ossie Fisher and Ray Martin. Memorial donations were directed to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church or a charity of choice.
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