Albert Edward Willard

Other Events:

• Name: A. E. Willard
• Residence: 31 Shade St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-78798P
• Residence: 1891, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Methodist
• Occupation: 1901, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Coal Oil Dealer
• Occupation: 1907, 78 Main St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dry Goods Store
• Occupation: 1907, 101 Main St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; house furnishing store
• Occupation: 1907, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; merchant
• Occupation: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Teamster, Willard Bros.
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Elected Office: 1914, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Galt Councillor
• Elected Office: 1922, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Galt Councillor
• Elected Office: 1924, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mayor of Galt
• Residence: 1929, 223 Main St. E., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Albert married Louise Elizabeth Ellen Walker 16 Oct 1907, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Louise was born 7 May 1876, , Ontario, Canada; died 8 Oct 1958; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/244707963
• Interesting: business, story
• Interesting: honoured, life story, business
• Name: Edward Willard
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-78708
• Residence: 1911, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Baptist
• Occupation: 1922, 78 Main St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Dry Goods Store
• Occupation: 1923; A. E. Willard 7 Son, Ltd. Furniture Store
• Residence: 1928, 223 Main St. E., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1948, 31 Barrie St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Honoured: 1974, 85 Beechwood Rd., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Willard Park

Notes:

H. Edward Willard

July 23, 1902-December 20, 1988

Harry Edward Willard was born in the family home on Shade Street in Galt, Ontario on July 23, 1902, the only child of Albert Edward Willard and his wife, Luey Elizabeth Ellen Walker.

A red-headed mischief only child, Edward got into his share of trouble early on, be it breaking a neighbour's window playing ball on the street instead of at the park; pushing over outhouses on Hallowe'en; lighting forbidden fireworks; or raiding a neighbour's apple orchard with a favourite cousin - each misdemeanour resulting in a good spanking from his father.

Edward's other early memories were riding the "ponies" belonging to his uncle's livery and cartage business near Soper Park; playing hooky from school; sledding down McNaughton Street Hill and being run over by a team of horses '96 the wagon went right over him; in his late teens going to Scott's Opera House known for shows which came to Galt before Detroit; and receiving a driver's licence at age 14 to drive his father's car. That would have been about 1916.

Edward did well in school, especially in mathematics, attending Central Public School and Galt Collegiate, but for only two years at the latter. School was given up because of eagerness to go into business with his father who had opened a house furnishing store in 1907 at 101 Main Street on the south side of that street in Galt. Albert Willard also had a dry goods business at #78 on the north side of the same street. In 1922 Edward's occupation was given as the manager of the dry goods store, which was closed sometime after 1923. About this time the family moved to a new home at 223 Main Street in Galt.

On May 30, 1923 Albert Willard and Edward Willard formed a partnership, A.E. Willard and Son, Ltd. at which time Edward took over the management of the furniture store. His father was semi-retired from then on but usually managed to "drop into the store" most days of the week. The business eventually was sold in 1960 to the T. Eaton Co. Ltd.

Edward was married in Windsor, Ontario to the former Doreen Hamlet on September 12, 1928. They moved into an addition which had been built on the back of his parents' home, 225 Main Street East in Galt, remaining there until September 1948 when they moved to a new home at 31 Barrie Street in Galt. Edward and Doreen had two children: Rosemary Ann (married Gordon Ambrose, September 10, 1955) and Gordon Edward (married to Patricia Kerr) in July, 21, 1956.

Family memories include travelling to visit furniture factories north of Galt, of which there were many, and also travelling to southern Quebec to furniture factories there. A memory of Rosemary and Gordon during World War II is being taught by their father how to handle a rifle (Gordon was good at it; Rosemary literally could not hit a barn door!). Coasting down hills in the family car to save gasoline was exciting. Also fondly remembered was a family trip to the Gaspe Peninsula in search of Restigouche Salmon, summer holidays at Port Elgin on Lake Huron, and family Christmases with our large Galt family. Good memories.

Galt was Edward's main concern after family. To illustrate his involvement with Galt, the following are organizations to which he belonged:

Boy Scouts Association (joined on July 16, 1915); the Young Men's Christian Association of Galt (YMCA) which he joined in September, 1915; Charter President of the Civic Service Club of Galt; member of the Galt Kiwanis Club; President of the Downtown Merchants Association of Galt; Campaign Manager of the Red Feather Campaign, Galt Section, in 1961; President of the Galt section of the Community Concert Association, 1964; Member of the Waterloo Boy Scouts Association; served on the Board of the Galt YMCA, the Planning Board, and the Galt Country Club Board; Chairman of the Galt committee for a three-year drive to provide expansion funds for Doon Pioneer Village (the objective was to raise $15,000 in Galt over three years); and a member of First United Church in Galt. Edward served as a Lieutenant in the Reserve of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, during World War II, 1939-1945.

The Galt Evening Reporter, August 29, 1969, reported that the largest individual free donation of land in the history of the Grand River, a 1400' strip of West River Road lands, was made by Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Willard. On September 17, 1974 Willard Park was dedicated on the west side of Galt.

A busy man, dedicated to his family, his business, and his city, Edward had little time for leisure. However, he had time for Golf and Tuesday night poker with "the boys" and time for travel with his wife in his later years.

Edward Willard died in Cambridge Memorial Hospital on December 20, 1988; his wife, Doreen Hamlet Willard died on July 13, 1996 in Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Respectively submitted by Rosemary Willard Ambrose, April 17, 2011.

Honoured:
Willard Park was named for H. Edward Willard 17 Sep 1974.

Harry married Florence Doreen Hamlet 12 Sep 1928, Windsor, Essex Co., Ontario, Canada. Florence was born 17 Apr 1904; died 13 Jul 1996, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/244708295
• Name: Rosemary Ann Ambrose
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-162054

Notes:

Rosemary Ann Ambrose (nee Willard)

Passed away peacefully in Waterloo, Ontario on October 9, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Rosemary was born in Galt, Ontario (now Cambridge) on July 2, 1930. Beloved wife of Gordon Victor Ambrose with whom she had celebrated 67 years of marriage earlier this year. Dearly loved and missed by her children Catherine Ambrose, Joan Schlotzhauer (Craig), and Robert Ambrose (Linda), and her grandchildren Gwendolyn Blazeichuk (Eddie), Meredith Teller (Chad), Keith Schlotzhauer (Ashleigh), and Meghan Harper (Garnet). She will be greatly missed by her great-grandchildren Xavier and Amelia Blazeichuk; Jaedyn, Benjamin and Jaxon Teller; Blake (deceased) and Julianne Schlotzhauer; and Avah, Elyanah, Yarah, Nyah and Judah Harper.

Rosemary was predeceased by her parents Harry Edward Willard (1988) and Florence Doreen Hamlet Willard (1996). Rosemary is survived by her brother Gordon Edward Willard and sister-in-law Patricia Willard.

Rosemary attended Galt Collegiate and went on to earn her B.A. from Victoria College, University of Toronto, in 1951. After graduating, Rosemary worked at Bell Canada where she met Gordon in the Guelph office. They were married on September 10, 1955 in Galt and resided there for several years. Upon their move to Kitchener in 1963, Rosemary and Gordon became members of St. James'- Rosemount United Church. As their three children grew, Rosemary returned to work part time as a teacher's assistant, and later full time as an administrative assistant in the Anthropology Department at the University of Waterloo, retiring in 1992.

Rosemary loved to travel and spend time with Gordon and their family exploring new and familiar
places, leaving behind travel diaries, a vivid photo record, and joyful memories. Rosemary's interests were varied: she excelled at everything she turned her hand and mind to. Painting, knitting, sewing, quilting, rug hooking, spinning and gardening were some of her talents and passions, and she meticulously finished the many furniture projects Gordon crafted. Rosemary was equally adept at writing and editing. She contributed many articles to the Waterloo Historical Society, researched and authored a book on Churches of Waterloo County, and applied her editing skills to others' work. Her love of family, and desire to know and learn, was reflected in all she did and in her passionate pursuit of genealogy. Her skills and dedication led to the discovery of her United Empire Loyalist ancestors. She gave of herself to others, and we are all the better for it. We will miss her greatly.

The family is most grateful for the support and care that Rosemary received at Pinehaven Nursing Home during her residency there in recent years and especially in her final days. Your kindness and compassion will not be forgotten.

A Memorial Service will be held for Rosemary, on October 24, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at St. James'- Rosemount United Church, 171 Sherwood Avenue, Kitchener.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington or a charity of your choice.

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Rosemary's memorial.

https://www.henrywalser.com/memorials/rosemary-ambrose/5045710/obituary.php?fbclid=IwAR01r5gn2Aa-tRH_i1NlkABdpcxo8xEOLTQ74Ngjl2QmG7CqMNzO5uUlBv4

Rosemary married Gordon Ambrose [Group Sheet]