|
| Etc. -- George Henry Luscombe's 1936 obituary |
| Introduction |
Source Documents |
Other Sources
| Photocopies | Back |
|
An unedited transcription of a page 1 article from 10 Mar 1936 Simcoe Reformer. George Luscombe
Outstanding Citizen Death came suddenly early Tuesday morning to one of this district's most esteemed citizens in the person of George Henry Luscombe. Mr. Luscombe had been about as usual on Monday and was down town during the day. News of his sudden passing was a severe shock to his many friends. Born of English parentage in 1852 in the picturesque town of Plymouth, England, Mr. Luscombe came to Canada as a boy with his parents, Samuel and Caroline Luscombe. Norfolk was elected as their new home and after settling here the father decided that Simcoe offered better opportunities and embarked in business, taking an active interest in community affairs and setting a lead which his son, George Luscombe, followed. Many Presidencies During the nearly 85 years of life George Luscombe played a leading part in local affairs. He was closely identified with the business and industrial life of the era and at various times was president of the Brook Woolen Company, the Simcoe Mitt and Glove Company, the Simcoe Tanning Company, the Norfolk Shoe Company, the Simcoe Electric Light Company and the Board of Trade. It was in his other activities, however that he was better known. He was a member of the town council for 14 years and was this town's oldest surviving ex-mayor, having served in that capacity in 1888, 1889 and 1890. In 1885 he was appointed chief of the Simcoe fire brigade, holding this post for 40 years. Last December present members of the brigade made a 'rush' call to his home to present him with a beautiful bouquet of roses on the occasion of the anniversary of his appointment. Headed Phoenix Club Masonic affairs also claimed his attention and he served fifty years ago as Worshipful Master of Norfolk Lodge, No. 10 A.F. and A.M. When the movement was on foot to form a boys' band in Simcoe, George Luscombe took the initiative and served as president of the band. It was only last week that he was re-elected president of the Phoenix Club, an organization in which he will be particularly missed. He was also an honorary member of the Commercial Travellers' Association. In religion he was a Methodist and in politics a staunch Conservative of the old school, taking an active part in many campaigns. He had the close personal friendship of the late Sir James P. Whitney, former Prime Minister of Ontario. An evidence of his public spirit which found form in philanthropy was his gift of the property on which now stands the Kinsmen Club's Children's Playground. A forceful and active figure in Simcoe's communal and industrial life, George Luscombe's death removes a man who will not quickly be forgotten. Simcoe Man A Nephew He was unmarried and was predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann Luscombe in 1931. Surviving are four nephews, Deputy Reeve Robert S. Vance, Simcoe, William Burt and Crawford Luscombe, Sarnia, George L. Vance, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England and four nieces, Mrs. Carrie Foote, Columbus, Ohio, Miss Julie Luscombe, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Mrs. J. N. Deibie, Sydney, N.S. W., and Mrs. Maude Ayres, Sarnia. The funeral is being held under Masonic auspices at 2:30 this (Thursday) afternoon with a service conducted by Rev. T. R. Todd of St. James United church at the residence, 104 Colborne St. north, and interment in Oakwood cemetery. [Compiler's Comment: also see his 1924 profile.] |
Ex-Mayor Dies |
|
|
