Weatherall, Maurice Wesley
The old, black rotary phone that rang ‘two long’ on the last Avening party line – is now silent.
Maurice Wesley Weatherall passed away on March 18th at Blue Mountain Manor in Stayner. He was born on June 4, 1927 to parents Rita and Harold Weatherall. He was the husband, dance lead and fishing partner of Gertie Martin and together they raised two daughters Maureen Andersen (Russ Talbot) and Heather Rowell (David Rowell).
Maurice was born and raised on the 3rd line of Nottawasaga Township. He trudged to school at S.S. # 14 in Avening and welcomed the opportunity to leave school to work as a farm hand. On September 24, 1949 in an outdoor ceremony at the Martin home at Edenvale, he married Gertie Martin (deceased 1997) and they rarely missed the yearly Martin Reunion. He was employed as a Toronto labourer in a paint factory and gladly left the city to work for the old Department of Lands and Forests in Base Borden as a landscaper. He accepted a position as a Department of National Defence Firefighter at 13X Base Borden in 1957, and was so proud that he now had a secure future and an opportunity to pay off his big Avening mortgage! When not on duty, Maurice plowed snow, including the Avening United Church, cultivated gardens and helped neighbours with their harvest. He took great pride in his garden and visitors left with armfuls of rhubarb and bags of tomatoes. He was a proud, founding member of the Smokey Island Hunt Camp. He was an avid baseball player, Avening league bowler and Creemore Legion euchre player. He enjoyed playing crib anytime with anyone. He loved to hunt, fish and camp with his family, always eager to visit the ‘western relatives.’ Maurice and Gertie experienced all three Canadian Oceans and dipped a fishing line in many Canadian lakes and rivers.
Maurice was predeceased by Stanley (Alberta) and Gordon (Marie) and is survived by Verna Coker (John predeceased) and Doug (Dorothy predeceased/Elsie Yetman). He will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren Jamie Noble, Sheena (Rob Scheuermann), Bill Rowell (Nancy) and Diana Rowell (Simon Cooper). Grandpa Maurice was the ‘keeper of the Easter Bunny’ and will be sadly missed by great-grandchildren Elliot Rowell, Paul Rowell, Clark Maurice Rowell and Adeline Cooper. Grandpa Maurice was always ready with a hug for his great-granddaughters Katerina and Ayriana Scheuermann
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service to celebrate this family man, good neighbour and friend to many, will be held at a later date.
Many thanks to those Avening neighbours who responded to his car horn when he needed assistance. We also wish to thank pharmacist Jennifer Yaeck, Dr. Mark Quigg, nurse Jenny, the homecare team from St. Elizabeth’s and the staff at Blue Mountain Manor for their excellent care. If desired, donations may be made in Maurice’s memory to the Avening Community Centre, 3401 County Road 42, Creemore, L0M 1G0 or the Creemore Legion, 27 Wellington St. West, Creemore, L0M 1G0. Friends may visit Maurice’s online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com
