a A-- + o--o------" ti cmt 22 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, July 31, 1984 GEORGE & MYRTLE PALMER Palmers celebrate fifty years of wedded bliss It was certainly a day to remember as George and Myrtle Palmer 'celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were married on July 7, 1934 in Port Perry, On- tario with Rev. William Smith officiating. In honour of this Golden Anniversary, the couple was treated to a special dinner at El Stavro's Steak House by their daughters Beryl and son-in-law Don Gilhooly and their sons and daughters-in-law Garnet and Betnice Palmer and Neil and Anne Palmer. Following the dinner, a surprise party was held at the Oshawa Shrine W NAA CS €Cc Club where they were greeted by their grand- children and great grandchildren. Many relatives, friends and neighbours joined the couple in an evening of dancing and reminiscing. Guests in attendance were from Bowmanville, Caesarea, Haliburton, Hastings, London, Nestleton, Orono, Oshawa, Peterborough, Port Elgin, Port Perry, Richmond Hill, Scar- borough, Seagrave and Uxbridge. Congratulatory cer- tificates and letters were received from the follow- ing dignitaries; Mayor Jerome Taylor, Township of Scugog; eellandS Mayor Alan Pilkey, Oshawa; Oshawa MPP Mike Breaugh; NDP Leader Ed Broadbent; Premier William Davis; Governor-General Jeanne Sauvé; and also a special letter of con- gratulations from golf professional, Arnold Palmer. These were presented to the couple during the evening. Floral arrangements were received also from Mayor Pilkey and Oshawa City Council and from the Order of the Eastern Star, Blue Ray Chapter, Port Perry. Telegrams from Sardis, British Columbia and Port Perry were presented as well. 184 BOND ST. W., OSHAWA 433.0055 7-11 POOL PRODUCTS 16 x 32 Deluxe Mark II Inground Pool - with 324 sq. ft. decking completely installed .... $7,966.52 15' x 30' Deluxe Oval Above Ground Pool Kit .... *1,817.83 ALPHA-VICO PATIO FURNITURE - WESTBEND GAS BARBEQUES BANK FINANCING (Difficult Access May Require Additional Charge) "Talk to Us First' business The communities of Epsom and Utica regret the passing of Mr. Francis (Frank) Mac- Gregor at York County Hospital in Newmarket on May 6, 1984. The name "Lakey and Mac- Gregor" whose sign hung outside of Utica General Store for over 40 years, has been a traditional part of that community. After the untimely early death of the MacGregor parents, the children were cared for by friends and rela- tives, Frank, at the age of 3, going to live with his Uncle Charlie and Aunt Lillian Lakey at Malvern, where they operated a store. Frank started school there and in 1922, came to Utica with the Lakeys who bought the Utica store, which at that time was operated in the old hotel, the adjoining store having burned down in 1921. Frank finished Public School at Utica and attended Port Perry H.S. As soon as he was high enough to reach the counter and to stack the shelves, he learned the store from the ground up. After Aunt Lillian's death in 1938, Frank became a part- ner with Uncle Charlie. The store was continu- ally up-dated with modern equipment when it became avail- able. This store was a "General" one in every sense of the word. As the thriving business suppl- ied all lines of groceries, egg-grading, clothing, hardware, gasoline at the pumps, school supp- lies, gift ware, small machines, tobacco and confectionary, including ice-cream and for sev- eral years the Postal Service. A free delivery service each week to the area residents was done in all kinds of weather in winter and summer, with a type of wagon in the summer and the box transferred to a set of sleighs in the winter, the vehicles drawn by a team of intelligent ponies who soon learned every stop. Two favour- ite dogs accompanied the driver, having been trained for a relation- ship with the ponies. Later this method was replaced by a delivery truck. The store opened at 8 in the morning, with no set time for closing at night, depending how long it took for the regular cronies to dis- cuss the latest news. Frank was the first one in the area to have a T.V. and the crowds increased coming to view the Sat. night Hockey g.mes. This was free advertisement from Frank and gave them the incentive to purchase one. Many will remember the under- standing and continued service from the store during those "lean" years in the 1930's when many of the patrons faced some hardships. To remind people that -- Obituary ---- the building was the original hotel, the pol- ished oak counter, wooden stools and chairs were used by Frank until the day the store was sold. After "W.W. II, his brother Merle, a veteran, was a periodical assistant at the store as Uncle Charlie was in his advanced years and more of the work and résponsibility went to Frank who by the 1960's had bought the property and business from Uncle Charlie. Frank cared for Uncle Charlie until his death in 1967, remembering him as a father, an uncle and a through teacher in the store business. After brother Merle's sudden death, Frank and his wife Ruth decided it was time to sell'as Frank's health was bearing the strains of continued hard work, so on Thanksgiving Day, 1969, they held a large auction sale, with crowds of people who came, not only to see the numerous articles of the' old hotel, which had been left there since the 1840's, to be sold, but to thank Frank for his dedicated service of the Lakey and MacGregor store for so many years. Frank and Ruth left for their new home in Keswick, taking with them the one reminder of the store, their faith- ful watch-dog, along with the memories of Utica and Epsom's long- time patrons. In the 47 years that Frank had lived there, no record was given of the store ever having been robb- ed. In their new home in Keswick, Frank looked after the spacious grounds, bought a boat for relaxation and oper-. ated a miniature green- house for a hobby. His new friends and neigh- bours were an added pleasure but old friends at Utica and Epsom were not forgotten by frequent visits to the area and they in turn were welcome guests at their Keswick home. Frank's funeral was held at the Taylor Funer Chapel in Sutton on May Francis MacGregor 8, when many from our area paid their last respects. Messrs. Bruce Geer, Vic Ives and Jim Claughton were representative Pall- bearers for Utica. Frank was laid to rest in Queensville Cemetery. He was predeceased, besides his parents and their last born who died with the mother, two brothers - Lorne and Merle, a sister, Arlie Davis, all of Oshawa. Frank will be ever remembered by his many friends, neigh- bours, classmates and area patrons who had the privilege of knowing him most of his life and they join with his Kes- wick friends and neigh- bours in conveying their sincere sympathy to his wife Ruth and relatives. In his passing, a little bit of Epsom and Utica has gone with him. Down through each passing year, A silent thought, a silent - tear For one whose gone, always to be Forever in our memory. Florence Conlin Florence Rosetta Con- lin, a resident of Reach Township all her life died at the Port Perry Community Hospital on Sunday, July 15, 1984 after a lengthy illness of three and a half months. She lived at R.R.2, Port Perry. The former Florence Bryant was born July 13, 1888, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Bryant. Mrs. Conlin was a member of the Port Perry Immaculate Con- ception Roman Catholic Church. Her husband, Edward Mathew Conlin, died January 5, 1969. Mrs. Conlin is survived by three daughters - Mrs. Lloyd Collins, Lauette; Marion Conlin of Port Perry and Mrs. Tom O'Connell of Ottawa. She has three grandchildren - Ray Collins, Edward and John O'Connell and two great grandchildren Julia and Patrick. She was predeceased by one son, Stanly Conlin. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Yelland (Delia) of Oshawa. Mrs. Colin had five sisters and one brother - Mrs. Louis Conlin (Mabel), Oshawa); Mrs. Fred Conlin (Vera), Oshawa; TRUCKS! TRUCKS! TRUCKS! MIDWAY MOTORS TRUCK CLEARANCE SUTIN 00 STOO ORY TRUCK TRADING DAYS _ - Mrs. John Hopkins (Lillian), Saskatch- ewan; Mrs. Lloyd Yelland (Delia), Oshawa; and Mrs. Walter Fulton (Allie), Toronto and a brother, Mr. Ellsworth Bryant of Oshawa. Mass of Christian Burial was held at Port Perry Immaculate Con- ception Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 17, 1984 followed by Int rment St. Gregory Cemetery. Prayers were held at the funeral home Monday at 8:15. Memorial donations to the Port Perry Comm- unity Memorial Hospital Foundation. J ne, nL ZY - f -© "Gas - Diesel - Shortbox - Longbox KingCaband4x 4's ... MIDWAY MOTORS NISSSAN LIMITED 1300 Dundas St. E., Whitby SLIEELY 668-6828 ill. § N " -- il ol 6 iar IIRL Ni eS