Charles A. Mellish

Other Events:

• Interesting: drowning, accident, story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-338012
• Misfortune: 1953, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Drown
• Misfortune: 1953; drowned

Notes:

AYR - The funeral of Charles Mellish, 12, who drowned yesterday afternoon in the Nith River, will be held Friday at the Ball Funeral Parlor. Burial will be in Ayr cemetery

Kitchener-Waterloo Record - 12 May 1953

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Charles Mellish Drowning Victim

A half-holiday from school time for an enjoyable afternoon of swimming - resulted in the death by drowning on Tuesday afternoon of Charles Mellish, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Wood, Ayr. The tragedy occurred at Nithvale dam before the eyes of eight young companions, when Charles, a non-swimmer, stepped off a cement ledge into seven feet of murky water.

A futile rescue attempt by Roy Hartwick, Ayr-Wrigley's road, was thwarted by the desperate struggle of the drowning lad, and he sank from sight only 15 feet from shore.

Victim Was Unable to Swim

Stanley Wright, 13, one of the group present, related the details in a shocked, unbelieving voice a half hour after the life of one of his friends had been snuffed out. A public school music festival at the Community Centre gave those not participating a free afternoon and many turned toward Nithvale dam to combat the heat. Stanley had just dived from a ledge at the dam's edge when Charles, who had been standing beside him, also stepped off into the depths

Roy Hartwick Attempted Rescue

According to Stanley, his struggles were not taken seriously for a moment until he became frantic. Another youngster, Roy Hartwick, who was just approaching the dam in bathing trunks, perceived the situation and dived in to render assistance. The flailing arms of the victim grasped at the inexperienced young swimmer who was forced to extricate himself and could not effect a rescue.

Keith Goodfellow Comes to Scene

In the meantime, another companion rushed 500 yards, to the Community Centre where he met Keith Goodfellow, a teacher at Mill Creek school. Mr. Goodfellow hurried to the scene, but by that time the lad had disappeared.

Body Located 15 Minutes Later

Stanley dashed by bicycle to The News office, where he is errand boy, and informed the staff. A car, driven by S. A. Moffatt, Galt, was commandeered and carried three members to the scene. By this time the lad had been submerged for 15 minutes, but a search detail was immediately organized. The body was recovered less than five minutes later by R. A. Schmidt of The News, who located the boy about 10 feet offshore in six feet of water.

Artificial Respiration Fruitless

Artificial respiration was applied, but a short time later he was pronounced dead by Dr. R. D. Atkinson. It was a shocking experience for Charles' young companions: Stanley Wright, Donald Johnson, Douglas Dance, Ricky Merriman, Bill Makins, Gary Sippel and Roy Hartwick who were present when the tragedy occurred. The funeral will be held from the W. O. Ball Funeral Parlor on Friday, May 15.

The Ayr News May 14 1953 pg 1

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-338105
• Residence: 1966, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1978, 62 Berkley Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Clayton — May Eileen Scott. May (daughter of Scott) was born 1914, Midland, Tay Twp., Simcoe Co., Ontario; died 16 Jan 1978, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 19 Jan 1978, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: May Eileen Wood
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-338106
• Residence: 1978, 62 Berkley Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mrs. Clayton Wood

Mrs. Clayton Wood of 62 Berkley Road, Galt, passed away Monday, January I6th in South Waterloo Memorial Hospital, Galt. She was in her 64th year. Born in Midland, she was the former May Eileen Scott. Surviving besides her husband are four daughters, Mrs. Robert (Vicki) Howell of Oriilia, Mrs. Andrew (Maureen) Cusovich of Ridgeway, Mrs. Gordon (Sally) Biller of Fort Erie and Mrs. Kevin (Susan) French of Mississauga; four sons John of Ayr, George, Michael and Pat of Cambridge; a sister Mrs. Harold (Margaret) Wanless of RR 1, Ayr; also 32 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Predeceased by a son. Resting at Coutts and Son, Galt, for service on Thursday at 2 p.m. Interment in Ayr Cemetery.

The Ayr News 18 Jan 1978 pg 9

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-154008
• Residence: 1945, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

George married Elizabeth Ella Baer 3 Jun 1914, Plattsville, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth was born 7 Jul 1888, Bright, Blandford Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario; died 5 Mar 1966, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 8 Mar 1966, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Elizabeth Ella Wood
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-154207
• Residence: 1945, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1966, Swan St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Mrs. Albert Wood Passes

A well-known resident of Ayr for many years, Mrs. Albert Wood died on Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Ellis, Swan St. She was in her 79th year. The former Elizabeth Baer, she was born at Bright but lived most of her life in Ayr. Surviving, besides her husband, are four sons, William of Drumbo, Stanley of Paris, Clayton of Galt and George of Dunnville; three daughters, Mrs. Harley (Anna) Gilbert of Simcoe, Mrs. James (Jean) Ellis and Mrs. Florence Lewis of Ayr; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Cudmore of Brantford and Mrs. Charles Piggott of Princeton. Twenty-two grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren also survive. She was predeceased by a son, Murray, who was killed in action in World War II.

The Funeral

Funeral service was held on Tuesday from the W. O. Ball Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. D. E. Willis. Pallbearers were grandsons Cecil Lewis, Larry Lewis, Dick Wood Michael Wood, Lloyd Gilbert and Ronald Gilbert.

The Ayr News Mar 10 1966 pg 9

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-181141

Other Events:

• Occupation: CPR section foreman
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-338006

Notes:

AYR - Formerly a CPR section foreman, Samuel Wood, 82, of Ayr died Sunday at Paris, Ont. He was born Aug. 15, 1870 at Arden, Ont. He came to Ayr 49 years ago. Mr. Wood was predeceased by his wife 11 years ago. He was a member of Knox United Church. Surviving are two sons, Charles of Northbrook, Ont., and Albert of Ayr; four daughters, Mrs. Robert (Annie) Spearns of New York State, Mrs. Ellen Miller of Preston, Mrs. Fred (Adeline) Briggs and Mrs. Robert (Winnifred) English of Paris, Ont. Three brothers, Milo and Archie of Clinton and Vaneisen of New York State and [rest of obituary was not photocopied]

Kitchener-Waterloo Record 24 Mar 1953

Samuel married Susan Adaline Drake 3 Jun 1891, Olden Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario. Susan was born 1866, Olden Twp., Frontenac Co., Ontario; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Susan Adaline Wood
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-338009