Services & Obituaries

CONNOR, Robert Baden ‘Bob’….

Passed away peacefully with family by his side at Copper Terrace Long Term Care, Chatham on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of the late Patricia E. Connor. Dear father of Lynne (Dan) Boley of Chatham, Judith (Doug) Sutherland of London, Daniel (Beverley) Connor and Karen (Jeff) Daniels  all of Islay Alberta. Loving grandfather of Jason, Brodie, Tara, Cale, Rebecca, Ashlee, Baden, Shannon, Conor and Charlotte. Proud great-grandfather of 16. Predeceased by his brother Keith Ellis Connor.  Robert will be held dear in the hearts of his extended family members and friends. Bob was a hard worker. He loved his family, friends, and the outdoors. His passion was hunting and fishing.  Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm and on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 am. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

­­­­­­­­­­­­­BLAIR, Andrew Donald …

Passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at his residence on his 34th birthday. Beloved son of Scott and Heather. Dear brother of Matthew and Rebecca. Loving half-brother to Hazen and Emily.  Adored grandson of Elsie (the late Hazen) Blair and Shirley Spiering. Proud uncle of Hannah. He will be missed by many extended family members and friends. 

Andrew enjoyed the quiet things in life like fishing or a conversation with a close friend.  He continued to work on himself throughout his life. His faith was very important to him. 

Friends are invited to visitation on Saturday, August 26, 2023  from 11:00 am until 12 noon at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, ON.  A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 12 noon. A private family interment will take place in the fall.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in memory of Andrew may be made to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 317, 311 Oakland Ave., London, Ontario, (519) 455-2331 in support of the Poppy Fund.

Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

WACH, Gordon….

Unexpectedly at home, Gordon Wach, of London, passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at the age of 66. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth “Beth” Wach for 37 years (2017). Loving father of David Wach (Aisling) and Stephen Wach. Cherished brother of Grant Wach (Darlene) and Jeannette Haswell (the late Paul) and brother-in-law of Bill Wheeler (Lauree) and Anne Bartholomew (Randy). Gord will be dearly missed by his in-laws, Raymond and Reverend Canon Beverley Wheeler, and his nieces and nephews Emma, Graeme, Bryan, Paul, Keara, Maryn, Raymond, Matthew, Sean, Aaron, Sarah, William and Leigha. Predeceased by his parents Harry and Kathryn Wach. Gord will also be greatly missed by his extended family and many, many friends. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where a Celebration of Gord’s Life will be held at 1:00 pm. Future inurnment in Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, 2110-439 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G 1Y8. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

CRAIG, Paula Marie (nee Lausen)….

After a courageous battle with cancer, Paula Craig passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12th, 2023, at Parkwood Hospital, London in her 83rd year.  Beloved wife of Earl Craig. Loving mother of Dawn Rigby and her husband Dave and Wade Rochefort. Dear grandmother of Lindsey (Andy) and Craig (Lisa) and great-granddaughter Norah. Will be missed by Bill, Kerry (Suzy), Mike and John (Connie) and their families. Dear sister-in-law of Gary (Joan) of Washago. Friends are welcomed to a graveside service on Thursday, August 17th, 2023, at 11 am at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 2001 Dundas Street, London. Please meet at the cemetery office. In lieu of flowers, Paula’s life can be honoured by a donation to Child Can or the Humane Society of London & Middlesex. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Kortschinski, Juri “Yuri”…

Yuri Michaelovitch Kortchinski passed into God’s hands early Wednesday morning, 9th August, 2023. He spent 92ish years on this earth. Yuri was predeceased by his two beloved wives, Lydia (Chumakova), who passed on July 6th, 2001 and Irina (Botanova/Gurvich), who passed on December 8th, 2016, without whom he would never have survived.

Always an engineer in mind, he chose electrical engineering as a career. He impressed his higher ups at Ontario Hydro with his patents for switching mechanisms. His brilliant stories at home awed the young ones around him. A big life with big contributions to all those he knew. Vechnaya pamyat/eternal memories! God rest his soul! Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

NOAKES, Joan…

Joan Noakes passed away peacefully in London on the morning of August 6th, 2023, in her 100th year. Joan will be missed by daughters Melody Daase and Beverley Cody and their respective families. She is predeceased by her loving husband Goliath, son Randall Noakes and daughter Velvia Dawtrey. Joan will be remembered for being a mother who gave great love and care to her family throughout her life. Friends are welcomed to a graveside service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 333 Riverside Drive London, on Friday, August 11th, 2023 at 11am. Please meet at the cemetery office. Refreshments to follow at the home of Melody. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Joan are encouraged to consider a donation to Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1200-2300 Yonge Street, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

HORD, Marysue Olivia…

Marysue Olivia Hord was born in London, Ontario on Sunday, July 2, 2023. After giving us a lifetime of love in just over a month, she slipped away quietly from this Earth on Friday, August 4, 2023. Marysue was the beloved daughter of Judy Redekop and Parker Hord. She will be deeply missed by her maternal grandparents Lisa Klassen (Henry Klassen Sr.) and Eric Welsh; her aunts and uncles Anna Welsh, Quinn Welsh, Tony Klassen and Henry Klassen; and her great aunt and uncle Agy and George Fehr.

Cremation has taken place and family and friends are welcome for visitation on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 1-3 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. Donations to the NICU would be so greatly appreciated by the family and may be made through the London Health Sciences Foundation, 747 Base Line Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories and photographs may be shared at www.amgfh.com

Pickup, Brenda….

Passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 3, 2023 in her 89^th year, at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London.

Beloved and cherished Mother to Sandra (Doug) Neil (predeceased) Graham (Melissa) Gayle (Mark). Very proud and supportive Grandma to Stephanie and Brayden and cherished Sister of Marion Ainsworth. Brenda was predeceased by her adored husband Jeff and her loving son Neil. We would like to also recognize Brenda’s family and friends back in her beloved England and also our cherished family from out of town, Judith, Beth, Jess, Paul and their families.  

Brenda loved her family whole heartedly. Nothing brought her more joy than being surrounded by her own children, their families, and all the pups. Her two grandchildren had her entire heart and she was so incredibly proud of them and their accomplishments.

She was an avid sports fan, loved watching baseball, tennis and soccer but her true favourite was hockey! She was a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan for many years and was also a true blue London Knights fan and season ticket holder. Her Friday nights at the games were a source of great joy.

A private family service will be held.

As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Humane Society or to the St. Joseph’s Hospice in London.

The family would like to express our sincerest appreciation to the “Angels” who took such amazing care of Brenda at St Joseph’s Hospice. Thank you so much for your dedication and kindness to us all.

 Arrangements entrusted A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memoires and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

HAMMOND, Bernice Theresa ….

Quietly at home on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, Bernice Hammond passed away in her 81st year. Beloved wife of the late George Edward Hammond (2008). Dear mother of Cathy Leboeuf and her husband Mark, Sandra Hammond-Boyer and her husband Kim, and Nadine Hammond-Melas and her husband Alex. Cherished grandma of Megan (Ryan), Kayla (Jeff), Nicholas (Casey), Nathan and Devon and great grandma of Jackson and Shaelyn. Dear sister of Diane King. Predeceased by her parents Gordon and Mary King and sister Barbara Lacey.

Born in Nova Scotia, Bernice relocated to Ontario where she met her husband George. Together they owned a chip wagon and eventually opened Byron Seafood Café. Bernice was an excellent cook, cooking many Sunday roast beef dinners and holiday meals. She poured her love into her cooking. Bernice had a creative side, arranging flowers and making crafts, which led her to many craft shows. In her retirement Bernice took on the role as Grandmother, and it was one she loved most. She thoroughly enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and felt blessed to be their Grandma.

During her final months, her family said that Bernice showed strength and bravery in facing a terminal diagnosis. Her daughter Nadine describes it as pure grace.

Friends are welcomed for visitation on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, from 11am – 12pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, where the funeral service will be conducted in the chapel at 12pm. Interment in Madill Cemetery & Memorial Gardens, Mount Brydges. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Bernice are asked to consider a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 250 Dundas St. West, Suite 500 Toronto, ON M5T 2Z5. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

ROBERTS, Dorothy Brady…

Dorothy passed away quietly and peacefully at Meadow Park Nursing Home, London, on Sunday, July 30, 2023 in her 94th year. Beloved wife of the late Gerald Roy Roberts (2018) for 62 years. Loving mother of Bill Roberts and his wife Bonnie of Appin and Cindy Pisek and her husband Mike of London. Cherished Nanny of Brandice Robertson and her husband Mitch and Kaley Pisek and her husband Rob Sutherland and great-grandmother of Penelope, Preston and Phoenix Robertson, and Wren Sutherland. Predeceased by her parents Agnes and Leonard, and her sister Mary. Dorothy grew up on the farm and was a huge helping hand to her father with the regular chores. After marrying Gerald, she was the true definition of homemaker. She was a fantastic mom, a great cook and even enjoyed cleaning. In her later years, she loved fashion and shopping and always making sure her outfit and appearance were perfectly put together. She had a passion for reading and music, especially playing the piano. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Meadow Park for their excellent care over the years. Cremation has taken place. A private family graveside service will take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com