5.7.6.2. Melville Ferguson (1920-2004)

Melville Cameron Ferguson

(1920 ~ 2004)

5.7.6.2. Second child of George H. Ferguson and M. May Harbottle, Melville Cameron Ferguson, was born December 24, 1920, in W. Luther Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario.

He married Esther Mae Lamont, daughter of William James Lamont and Maggie Ethel Hunter, July 31, 1943, Egremont Twp., Grey Co., Ontario and had eight children:

(5.7.6.2.1) Larry Melville (1945 ~ 1993)
(5.7.6.2.2) Lynda Mae (1947 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.3) Barbara Ellen (1949 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.4) Beverlee Anne (1950 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.5) William George (1952 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.6) David Blaine (1954 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.7) Glennus Faye (1955 ~ )
(5.7.6.2.8) Kevin Loren (1957 ~ )

Melville C. Ferguson died May 3, 2004, aged 83 years and Esther M. Lamont Ferguson died October 10, 1996, aged 73 years in Mount Forest, Ontario and are interred at Mount Forest Cemetery.

----- MARRIAGE -----

Ferguson—Lamont

A pretty wedding was solemnized on Saturday, July 31, 1943, at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lamont, Con. 10, Egremont, when their youngest daughter, Esther Mae Lamont, was united in marriage to Melville Cameron Ferguson, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ferguson, Conn.

The ceremony took place on the lawn, under an arch of evergreens, ferns and bright summer flowers, the Rev. J. W. Pratt officiating.

The bride chose for her wedding gown, a pretty gaiety blue crepe, street length, with matching lace white hat, and carried a bouquet of talisman roses and baby’s breath. She was attended by the groom’s cousin, Miss Velma Ferguson, who wore a beige crepe with matching lace trimming, and a corsage of red rosebuds. The groom was supported by the bride’s brother, Mr. William H. Lamont. Mrs. Donald McQueen played the wedding music.

After receiving the congratulations of the guests, a wedding dinner was served in the dining room which had been prettily decorated with pink and white streamers, bells and flowers. The bride’s table was centred with a three-storey wedding cake, flanked by pink candles and flowers. Only the immediate relatives were present, including Mrs. J. Treadwell, the bride’s grandmother, who will shortly be celebrating her 83rd birthday, and the groom’s grandfather, Mr. George Harbottle of Arthur, who has passed his four-score years.

The happy couple left to spend a short honeymoon in the north, the bride traveling in a beige outfit with matching accessories. They are taking up residence on the groom’s farm in West Luther. Mount Forest Confederate, Aug. 12, 1943.

----- OBITUARIES -----

Melville C. Ferguson

At Louise Marshall Hospital, Mount Forest, on Monday, May 3, 2004, Melville Cameron Ferguson, of Mount Forest, in his 84th year. Beloved husband of the late Esther (Lamont) Ferguson. Dear father of Lynda Watson and her husband Dale of R.R.1, Holstein, Barbara Ferguson and her husband Larry Stortz of Toronto, Beverlee Fettes and her husband Jim Brownrigg of Mount Forest, Bill Ferguson and his wife Linda of R.R.1, Elmwood, Blaine Ferguson and his wife Deby of Mount Forest, Faye Meulensteen and her husband Joe of Mount Forest, Kevin Ferguson and his wife Grace of Harriston and the late Larry Ferguson. Loving grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of five. Brother-in-law of Gwendoline Ferguson of R.R.1, Conn. Predeceased by brother, Robert Ferguson. Friends may call at the Hendrick Funeral Home, Mount Forest (today) Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Mount Forest United Church on Thursday May 6 at 2:30 p.m. Interment at Mount Forest Cemetery. Memorial donations to March of Dimes, Louise Marshall Hospital or The Arthritis Society would be appreciated by the family. Kitchener Record, May 4, 2004.

Esther M. Lamont Ferguson

March 5, 1923 ~ October 10, 1996

Esther Mae Ferguson passed away quietly on October 10, 1996 at Louise Marshall Hospital.

Esther, daughter of William J. and Maggie Ethel Lamont, was born March 5, 1923 in Egremont Township.

She was the beloved wife of Melville C. Ferguson for 53 years, and the dear mother of Lynda and Dale Watson of Holstein, Barbara Ferguson of Toronto, Beverlee Fettes and James Brownrigg of Mount Forest, Bill and Linda Ferguson of Walkerton, Blaine and Deby Ferguson of Mount Forest, Faye and Joe Meulensteen of Mount Forest and Kevin and Grace Ferguson of Harriston.

Esther was the much-loved grandmother of Kim and Rob Watson-McKenzie, Katie Watson and friend Andrew Stewart, Todd Ferguson and fiancée Shelley Hutton, Mandy, Tiffany and Tyler Ferguson, Chris and Stephanie Meulensteen, Kyle Ferguson and Andrew, Nicholas and Curtis Ferguson.

She was predeceased by one son, Larry Ferguson, in 1993, her parents, and her brothers and sisters, Charles, William, Ellen (Calder), Randall, Marguerite (McComb), Mary and James.

On July 31, 1943, Esther married Mel and they started farming and family life in West Luther Township. Along with the hard work and raising of a large family, many long and lasting friendships were formed in that area.

In 1964, Mel and Esther moved to Fergus Street, Mount Forest, where again many friendships were formed and they found themselves busy with small town life.

Esther’s good sense of humour was always there to see her through many of life’s struggles. Her love for her family was evident in her devotion to her husband, her children and their spouses and her grandchildren, and she will be greatly missed by them all.

The funeral service was held October 12, 1996, from Hendrick Funeral Home chapel. Rev. Gerald McFarlane officiated and special music was provided by Diane Leith and K. Patterson.

Carrying Esther to her final resting place were her grandchildren, Kim and Rob Watson-McKenzie, Todd, Mandy and Kyle Ferguson and Chris Meulensteen. Gordon Calder was honorary pallbearer for his aunt.

Carrying flowers for their grandmother were Katie Watson, Tiffany, Tyler, Andrew and Nicholas Ferguson, Stephanie Meulensteen, Shelley Hutton and Andrew Stewart. Mount Forest Confederate, Oct. 30, 1996.

Larry M. Ferguson

June 14, 1945 ~ January 4, 1993

Larry Melville Ferguson died suddenly at his home in Burlington on January 4, 1993. He was 47 years old.

He was born on June 14, 1945 in Mount Forest, the son of Melville Ferguson and Esther (Lamont) Ferguson, both of whom survive to mourn his loss.

He attended S.S. 14, Stoney Wood, West Luther, the Mount Forest District High School and Variety Village of Toronto. For the past 22 years he was employed by Commcorp Financial Services, Inc. in Burlington as an accountant.

Larry followed all kinds of sports, even though confined to a wheelchair since childhood. He was an avid lover of country and western music and his great sense of humour assisted him along life’s way.

He is survived by brothers and sisters Lynda and Dale Watson of Holstein, Barbara Ferguson of Toronto, Beverlee Fettes and Jim Brownrigg, Mount Forest; Bill and Linda Ferguson, Walkerton; Blaine and Deby Ferguson, Mount Forest; Faye and Joe Meulensteen, Mount Forest and Kevin and Grace Ferguson of Harriston. There are 12 nieces and nephews.

A funeral was held at the Hendrick Funeral Home on January 7 at 2 p.m. Rev. Neil Young of the Harriston United Church conducted the service. Dianne Leith and Chris Patterson provided special music, with tributes by fellow co-workers.

Pallbearers were first cousins Alex Calder, Gordon Calder, Laverne Ferguson, David Lamont, Donald Lamont and John Lamont.

Carrying floral tributes were nieces and nephews Todd Ferguson, Mandy Ferguson, Kyle Ferguson, Chris Meulensteen, Katie Watson and Kim Watson-McKenzie.

Interment Mount Forest Cemetery. Mount Forest Confederate, Jan. 20, 1993.

William J. Lamont

May 16, 1888 ~ February 23, 1964

William J. Lamont, a respected resident of Egremont Township, passed away in Louise Marshall Hospital on Sunday, February 23, 1964, in his 76th year.

Mr. Lamont was the only son of the late John Lamont and his wife, the former Ann Jane McBride, and was a lifelong resident of the Tenth Concession of Egremont, where he farmed. He was a member of the Woodland United Church where he served on the managing board and in the choir. He was also a member of the Woodland Cemetery Board for many years. He also served on the board of Trustees of S.S. No. 6, Egremont. On June 18, 1913, he was married to M. Ethel Hunter of Egremont Tonwship, who survives with a family of four sons, Charles J. and William H., of Egremont; Randal G. and James R., of Oshawa; and two daughters, Ellen, Mrs. George Calder, Egremont; and Esther, Mrs. Mel Ferguson of Luther Township. He was predeceased by two daughters, Mary V., at the age of three years; and Marguerite, Mrs. Gordon McComb.

The funeral was held on Tuesday, February 25, from Woodland United Church and was conducted by his pastor, the Rev. D. A. Brydon, B.S.A., assisted by Rev. A. F. Lavender, D.D. Temporary entombment was in Mount Forest Cemetery. Interment will be in Woodland Cemetery.

The pallbearers were Messrs. Neil Keith, Hugh Hunter, Burton Ferguson, John Beckner, Charles Woods and Donald McQueen.

Relatives and friends attended from Alliston, Guelph, Blyth, Brampton, Walkerton and the surrounding district. Mount Forest Confederate, Mar. 5, 1964.

M. Ethel Hunter Lamont

June 7, 1893 ~ October 26, 1968

Mrs. William J. Lamont, a respected resident of this district for her entire life, passed away at the Baker Nursing Home on Saturday, October 26, 1968 following a lengthy illness. She was in her 76th year.

Mrs. Lamont was the former M. Ethel Hunter, daughter of the late Hugh Hunter and his wife, the former Victoria Slessor, Egremont Township. On June 18, 1913 she was married to William James Lamont of Egremont Township, who predeceased her in February, 1964.

She leaves to mourn her passing fours sons, Charles J. and William H., both of Egremont; Randal G. and James R., both of Oshawa; and two daughters, Ellen J., Mrs. George Calder, Egremont; and Esther M., Mrs. Melville Ferguson, Mount Forest. There are 32 grand-children and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Roy and Straith, both of Mount Forest; and one sister, Mae, Mrs. Gilbert Keith, R.R.2, Conn. She was predeceased by two daughters, Marguerite, Mrs. Gordon McComb, and Mary V., who died at the age of three years; four brothers, Dougal, John, James and Charles, and two sisters, Marybelle, Mrs. James F. MacEachern, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Peter MacEachern.

Mrs. Lamont was a member of Woodland United Church and the Mount Forest United Church Women.

The funeral was held from the Woodland United Church on Tuesday, October 29, was in charge of the Rev. George Wright, assisted by Dr. A. F. Lavender. Interment was in Woodland Cemetery.

The pallbearers were grandsons, William Ferguson, Garry Lamont, David Lamont, Donald Lamont, John Lamont, Alexander Calder and Gordon Calder.

The floral tributes were carried by granddaughters, Beverlee Ferguson, Barbara Fergu-son, Gayle Lamont, Donna Calder, Debbie Lamont and Marlene Lamont.

Relatives and friends attended the funeral from Guelph, Brampton, Owen Sound, Alliston, Oshawa and the surrounding district. Mount Forest Confederate, Nov. 7, 1968.