Geo.
J. McKiee was A Valued Citizen
---
Had taken prominent part
in community life of
Simcoe & Norfolk -- Reeve of Town and County
-- Directed Victory Loan Campaign
-- Was in 76th year
Simcoe
lost one of its most valued citizens when George Jackson McKiee died at
his home on Union Street on Friday night, March 27th after a lingering
illness. He was in his 76th year.
Surviving
him besides his widow, are two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Powell of Simcoe
and Mrs. George Jackson of Vancouver, B.C., one son, G. J. McKiee Jr.
reeve of Simcoe, a brother, Frederick McKiee of San Bernardino,
California, and one sister, Mrs. William Burt of Simcoe.
For
several years prior to his death, the late Mr. McKiee had been in poor
health but it was only during the last few months that his condition
became serious and during that time he was confined to his bed.
In
the passing of George J. McKiee, Simcoe and Norfolk county lost a man
whose entire life has been closely interwoven with that of the community
in which he for so many years resided.
Born
in Simcoe on March 12, 1854, he was the eldest son of Eleanor Jackson
and John McKiee and with the exception of three years in Toronto, all
his life was spent in the town of his birth.
In
1870 he entered the employ of the Ritchie, Ford Company and in the years
that followed took the business over as his own. This, in itself was
typical of the tenacity of purpose which characterized his entire life.
He was a man who seemed fated for success, no matter in which direction
he set his hand. His rise from clerk in the Ritchie Ford store to owner
of the business, to those who knew him through the years, was almost
inevitable.
Ill-heath
forced him to dispose of this business in 1892, and this he did to the
firm of Northway, Anderson and Falls, each of which names now stands for
a large departmental store in Toronto, St. Thomas and Simcoe
respectively.
Then
followed three years in Toronto, after which he returned to Simcoe and
established the present bond and insurance business which is one of the
oldest in this district.
Sports
claimed a great part of the late Mr. McKiee's time. In his early years
he was an active member of the old Crescent Cricket Club, and later was
an enthusiastic curler as well as an expert angler.
Golf,
however, was the game in which he excelled, and it was largely through
his efforts that the Norfolk Golf and Country Club acquired its present
attractive site and club house.
At
the game itself he had more that ordinary talent. Steady and straight,
his shots were always "well down the fairway," and when the
season opens this year, the familiar figure of George McKiee was be
missed by more than one devotee of the links.
Public
spirited to a pronounced degree, his time was ever given in the interest
of the community in which he lived. He was instrumental in forming the
first Board of Trade in Simcoe.
Several
times he served on the town council in the same capacity as his son, G.
J. McKiee Jr. now serves, and held for a term the warden's chair in the
county council.
It
was during the war years that he made perhaps his greatest contribution
to his county and his country when for seven years he ably and
untiringly discharged the arduous duties of secretary-treasurer of the
Patriotic Fund.
At
this time the mothers, wives and dependents of Norfolk's soldiers came
to know Mr. McKiee's inexhaustible patience and care.
Under
his direction as county organizer the War and Victory Loans, four in
number, were splendidly subscribed in Norfolk.
Mr.
McKiee's service on the public library board was especially noteworthy,
as he had served continuously since 1899, a period of 32 years. He was
appointed by the Board of Education in January, 1899. He has been
chairman of the Board since February 1928, having been elected to that
position upon the retirement of the late H. B. Donly.
There
are other points, many of them, in connection with his life which might
be set down here, but it is hardly necessary. Few men were better known
or more greatly revered than George J. McKiee. To know him was to
respect him to an ultimate degree. His loss will indeed be keenly felt.
An
Impressive Service
An
impressive tribute was paid to the memory of George J. McKiee on Monday
afternoon when a large host of friends gathered at the home for the
funeral service.
Rev.
C. K. Masters, rector of Trinity Church, officiated and spoke in glowing
terms of Mr. McKiee's long and useful career and of the affectionate
place which he occupied in the minds of all who knew him.
Beautiful
floral tokens added further testimony to the high regard in which he was
held.
The
bearers were B. T. Jackson, Dr. A. C. Burt, W. L. Innes, W. P. Mackay,
F. M. Reid and H. J. Brook. Honorary bearers were H. S. Falls, W. C. J.
King, Leonard Brady, H. F. Cook, H. H. Groff and William Sutton.
Interment
was made in the family plot in Oakwood Cemetery.
Quite
a number of friends from out-of-town were in Simcoe for the funeral.
Among them were Messrs. W. H. Webling and E. W. Bennett, representing
the Brantford Golf Club, also Mr. and Mrs. Reg. Digby and Mr. D. S.
Large of Brantford.
