Passing of P. George Pearce removes 
prominent publisher

The death of P. George Pearce, president of the Pearce Publishing Company Ltd., publishers of the Waterford Star and Simcoe Reformer, took place on Saturday afternoon, October 21st, at the  Norfolk General Hospital, after an illness of three weeks duration.

In his 61st year, he had remained active in a business way until the time he was taken ill. His passing removes a valued public servant of Norfolk County, one who for many years was a prominent member of the newspaper fraternity of Canada.

Born in the city or Hamilton on February 25th, 1873, he early removed with his parents to the village of Waterford, where his father, the late 
P. J. Pearce, founded the Waterford Star on Jun 19th, 1874. After graduating public school in Waterford and Port Dover, and high school in Simcoe, he learned the printing trade with the Star and at the age of 24 years he assumed control of the newspaper. Thus he had published the Star continuously for upwards of 36 years.

He purchased the Simcoe Reformer from the late Hal. B. Donly in the year 1922 and formed the Pearce Publishing Company controlling the two newspapers. For the past eleven years he had divided his time between them, being assisted in their publication by his two sons, but continuing to the last as the active and supervising head. Under his direction both papers have kept pace with the progress of the communities in which they are published and have played a prominent role in the development of Norfolk County.

The late Mr. Pearce was at one time Chairman of the Weekly Newspaper Division of the former Canadian Press Association. As one of the older weekly publishers, he continued down through the years to manifest the keened interest in the welfare of the weekly press of Canada and until very recent years, he was a regular participant in the annual conventions.

During the greater part of his career, a Liberal in politics, he was active in many election campaigns of the early days in North Norfolk. In recent years he had maintained an independent stand and followed a policy of political independance in his newspapers. Always uppermost in his mind was the welfare of his country.

Few public movements in his community during the past 36 years were without his energetic and whole-hearted support. He never sought public office, preferring to serve in the capacity of a public-spirited citizen and through the newspapers which were his pride.

The village of Waterford particularly, has felt the impress of his progressive spirit. Whether in the field of industry, sports or municipal improvement, he was always a leader. Two years ago he began and carried through the movement which resulted in erection of the handsome war memorial to the fallen heroes of Waterford and Townsend. Always actively interested in the Candian Legion, he received the distinction of being made an honorary member of Legion Post No. 123, Waterford.

One of his chief interests was improvement of Greenwood Cemetery, Waterford, and he served several years as chairman of the Cemetery Board.

Always prominently identified with Freemasonry, he was a Past Master of Wilson Lodge No. 10, Simcoe, and Ezra Chapter R. A. M. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F. His interest in Masonry was exemplied when he published in 1904 an historical booklet entitled A Century of Norfolk Masonry. In later years he sponsored publication of the Souvenir Book of Simcoe and Norfolk County and Brown's History of Simcoe, thus making a lasting contribution in the historical records of the district.

Besides his widow, who was Fanny Murdoch, daughter of Rev. (Dr.) A. Murdoch of Waterford, he leaves two sons and one daughter: Bruce M. Pearce, editor of the Reformer, Clendon P. Pearce, manager of the Waterford Star, and Miss Marion Pearce of Toronto. There also remain two sisters: Mrs. J. E. Collings of Downer's Grove, Illinois, and Mrs. Harry Cox of Black River, N.Y.

The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon under Masonic auspices from his late home, Main Street, Waterford, with interment in the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery. The very large attendance of friends and beautiful floral tributes bore eloquent testimony to the place which he filled in the life of his community.

The service was in charge of Rev. Harold Bridge, pastor of Waterford Baptist Church, of whic the late Mr. Pearce was a faithful member. He was assisted by Rev. F. C. Elliot of Ingersoll, former pastor of the Waterford church and a close personal friend, who paid warm tribute to his sterling qualities. Mr. T. C. Savage sang very effectively "Calvary," a favorite number of the deceased.

The honorary bearers were former newspaper comrades: Messrs. Lorne Eedy of St. Mary's, W. A. Fry of Dunnville, T. P. Lancaster of Havelock, Arthur Ellis of Petrolia, W. C. Riddle of Weston and Malcolm MacBeth of Milverton.

The bearers were all Past Masters of Wilson Lodge A. F. A. A. M., as well as long-long friends: Wor.-Bros. T. C. Savage, L. B. Reynolds, 
J. H. Stafford, J. H. McMichael, D. A. Hill and Roy Beemer.

The flower bearers were all members of the Simcoe Reformer and Waterford Star staffs: Geo. W. Brown, Thos. M. Morgan, J. L. Stedman, Haney Calvert, Rodney Packard, Melvin Charters, Claude Cunningham, Alfred Hitchcock, Tom C. McCall, D. Bourock, Hardy Fletcher, and Howard Peter.

[Paragraph listing organizations that sent flowers omitted.]

 
Copyright 2012-2013 John Cardiff