It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edward (Ted) Martin Partridge on March 31, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. A fit 78-year-old, he bravely faced an unexpected, hard fought battle with liver cancer.
Ted was born in Kingston, Ontario, on August 22, 1947, to the late Eileen Rizpah Partridge (née Thain) and the late Claude Martin Partridge.
Ted is lovingly remembered by his beloved partner, Gayle Bigelow; his daughters, Sarah Christine Partridge (Gerry) and Laura Thain Partridge (Kevin) and their mother, Patricia Anne Maynes (née Cornwall); his older sisters, Dawne Macpherson (Cluny) and Claudia Scobie (Robert) and his adoring grandchildren, Jaime, Benjamin, and Jordyn. Ted was immensely proud of his ‘two girls’ and his grandchildren.
Ted was a kind,“gentle gentleman”. He was respectful, tolerant, caring and supportive. He was always keen to help. He knew what it meant to show up for others. He engaged with enthusiasm when coaching ‘his girls’ little league soccer teams and was solidly there for family members requiring treatment for cancer.
Ted will be delightfully remembered for his wit, mischievous sense of humour, and the frequent impish twinkle in his eye. His telephone message greeting to his daughters, “Hello, this is your incredibly good-looking father calling (IGLF), never failed to deliver a big smile and chuckle. One day, Grandpa picked up Grandson Ben from preschool, and took him out for lunch. When asked by his Mum what he’d had to eat, he replied, “I had TWO doughnuts! “Ted knew the value of shared silliness. On occasion, to treat himself, he’d turn up the sound in his Silver Mustang, sing ‘Raspberry Beret’ with Prince, his favourite musician; then find the best double chocolate sundae in town.
Ted’s love for studying History began in High School (Oakville Trafalgar). He read widely and voraciously throughout his life. But his ongoing passionate interest was WW1 and WW2 military history. His knowledge was extensive and impressive. At the beginning of high school, Ted joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets in Oakville. He liked the focus on leadership, citizenship and physical fitness. As a senior cadet, his leadership skills were recognised. He had the honour of being chosen “the Parade Commander”. It was his responsibility to train the cadets and lead formal ceremonial parades composed of multiple joint cadet troops. Ted never lost his great pleasure in seeing an excellent military parade, with smart dress uniforms, precisely executed movements and observed traditions. In recent years at home, he never held back on giving verbal commentary, with useful advice, to the parades he inspected on YouTube.
1965, Ted joined the Lorne Scots Reserve Army, serving in Oakville. On an exchange with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in England, he trained with them in Germany. As part of the British Army, they were the NATO front line during the Cold War. Here, he experienced the reality of war. Ted retired from the Lorne Scots Reserve Army as a warrant officer in 1980, and returned ten years later as a commissioned officer. A Captain with the Cadet Instructor Cadre, he found his niche in exclusively training Army Cadets. He loved the work and found it meaningful. He was an excellent teacher, positive and encouraging. He was aware that as cadets learned the new skills involved in wilderness survival and community service, they built confidence and self-esteem.
With a diploma in Business from Sheridan College, Ted spent many years as a broker in finance. He dealt mainly in the Money Markets, facilitating overnight lending and borrowing between banks and large institutions. Upon leaving ‘bonds for baking’ as he put it, he opened a successful pie shop in Oakville called ‘Partridge & Clare’.
With his sense of style, Ted thoroughly enjoyed treating ‘his girls’ to an afternoon of clothes shopping together, or an evening of theatre in Toronto. Sarah and Laura cherish fond memories of Dad, happily spending summers on his Boat ‘The Blunt End (‘with ABBA’ blasting in the background); relaxing with family and friends at cottages on Lake Temagami and Jack’s Lake; enjoying long Sunday drives.
In retirement, Ted remained relentlessly curious. He sought a wide variety of new learning. He kept abreast of world politics and economics. With Gayle and friends, he nurtured his love of the arts and nature by taking Art Classes, visiting art galleries and museums, enjoying concerts and theatre, walking in the Dundas conservation area and hiking the Bruce Trail. Trips to places as diverse as Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Chile, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, and Cuba were highlights.
Ted loved conversations over a cup of coffee, a shared meal. He was genuinely interested in the lives and experiences of others. He was an excellent listener. He promoted lively discussion and had a sincere interest in whatever topic might come up. Ted was humble about his own talents and accomplishments. Although for those who wished to hear, he could tell many a captivating story from the annals of history or his own endeavours and adventures. He might even share that he was proud of finishing the climb up Mt Kilimanjaro.
Ted touched the lives of many. He leaves behind family, friends, neighbours, who will deeply miss him; his laugh, his wonderful sense of humour, his charm and sweet soul. He was a gentleman right to the very end.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for their highly competent, committed, compassionate care. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers connected to Margaret’s Place Hospice, who were exceptional in creating a very special place of support for Ted and the family.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. Please leave a message or a fond memory below.
Rest in Peace, Lovie, Dad, IGLF, Grandpa, Much Younger Brother, Uncle Ted, Captain, Tedster, Dear Friend. You are profoundly loved and cherished. We will carry you in our hearts forever.
Born Jan. 19, 1927 in Dublin, Ireland. Died May 9, 2026, in Hamilton, Ontario. Eveleen McGran died Saturday at the age of 99, survived by her daughter, Audrey, her son-in-law Dave, and her son, Kevin.
She is predeceased by her husband of nearly 70 years, Patrick, as well as her oldest son, Noel, and firstborn daughter, Nuala.
She has six grandchildren (James, Megan, David, Jason, Ellen and Shauna) and nine great-grandchildren (Tyler, Chase, Sapphire, Saya, Mira, Conor and Carson, Cooper and Cole). Born in the northside Dublin neighbourhood of Cabra, the middle of three sisters (Florrie, Eva), the Whittaker family were extremely practical. The family, for example, kept chickens, which the girls deemed as pets, but their father considered dinner.
Eveleen worked as a seamstress and began a lifelong love of knitting and sewing. She made her own clothes. If you were in her circle, and it was a large one, you were getting an Irish sweater, or cardigan, or mitts, or hat, or maybe a quilt for Christmas. They are treasured now.
She was told by many that her work was of such high quality that she could be rich selling them. She was never interested in that. She knitted for love. You could tell she was happy when she was knitting. An unfinished cardigan was by her bedside when taken to hospital.
Eveleen met Paddy in 1949, at a dance. They married on Dec. 26, 1951, honeymooning in England. Noel came along on Dec. 2, 1952 and Nuala in 1955. Nuala, sadly, died in infancy.
The family emigrated to Canada shortly after, with Audrey born in 1958, Kevin in 1963. The house at 3 Oakridge Dr., in Scarborough, became kind of a halfway house for Irish family and friends immigrating to Canada. If you were to drop over, the kettle would be on.
She loved to cook. No one made a better Sunday roast, or a ham, or a mince, or a stew. We’ve lost the recipe for her coddle. There were always potatoes. All sorts of potatoes. The Sunday fry after mass. She was Irish, so she could boil vegetables with the best of them.
She loved to bake. Her brown bread, her soda bread, her Christmas fruitcake, her Christmas pudding, her trifles, “favourite cake,” were legendary among the McGrans, Bergins, Dowlings, Slackes, Hickeys, Murphys, Larkins, Ethezes, Da Silvas, Carletons. She made a mean Irish coffee.
She loved her dog, Topsy, more than she’d ever admit. The dog got more of her boiled-egg lunch than she did.
With Paddy, it was a life well lived. A game of cards – the Dublin game of Don was the preferred choice – would get the laughs going. But she was up for anything: Camping at Sibbalds Point, the rustic cottage in Muskoka (without running water), ocean side in New Jersey, frequent trips “home” to Ireland, cruises, the snowbird’s life in Florida. Dinner at Swiss Chalet. They all included family.
She loved the Maple Leafs, but didn’t like going to see them in person. She couldn’t knit at the game, and she couldn’t hear Foster Hewitt calling the game.
She followed the Blue Jays. We’ll never forget where we were when Roberto Alomar hit a franchise-altering home run off Dennis Eckersley in 1992: We were salivating for the Thanksgiving feast she was preparing in their new home in Vineland, Ont.
When the Leafs would make a trade, she’d ask me why it happened. I’d venture to my hockey card collection (there was no internet then) or scan the agate pages of the Toronto Star to explain why it was a good idea to get a young Rick Vaive and Bill Derlago at the cost of Tiger Williams and Jerry Butler. I’m a sportswriter now, probably because of that. Her legacy will carry on in many ways, in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in the many lives she touched.
We love you, Mom. We’ll miss you. You will live in our hearts, always. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
For those who are moved to do so, please consider making a donation to Able Living Binbrook, on behalf of both Eveleen, and in honor of Jason. A viewing will be held at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, on Friday, May 15th, 2026 1 p.m. A mass will follow at 2:00 p.m. For those who are moved to do so, please consider making a donation to Able Living Binbrook, on behalf of both Everleen, and in honor of Jason.
To view Eveleen’s service, please register using the link below:
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Edeltraud (Trudy) Kastrau. Trudy passed away peacefully at Idlewyld Manor on Sunday, May 10th, 2026, in her 84th year.
Trudy is survived by her sister, Hilda Krueger (late Klaus); her sons, Peter (Leslie), Eddie (Rob), and Martin; her grandchildren, Lindsay, Kyra (Dan), and Sydney (Marek); and her lifelong friend, Bev Westoby. She was predeceased by her parents, Rudolf Brucker and Wanda Groth; her sister, Rosemarie Goos (Jim); and her brother, Bernard Groth.
Trudy was fun-loving, nurturing, and always quick to laugh. She enjoyed singing, traveling, playing cards and spending time with her friends. Trudy loved meeting new people and had a special way with children, making her a loving and devoted mother. She worked as a PSW and also spent many years caring for seniors in the community. During her time at Idlewyld Manor, she proudly served on the resident council. Trudy was also highly talented in sewing and dressmaking, having earned certification as a seamstress. She expressed her creativity through sewing, cooking, and baking beautiful decorative cakes for family and friends.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Idlewyld Manor for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided during the nearly five years Trudy called Idlewyld home.
A celebration of Trudy’s life will be held on Sunday, May 17th, 2026. A visitation will take place at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, at 1:00 p.m. A service will be held at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. For those who wish, memorial donations to Idlewyld Manor would be appreciated.
“Bunker” (Hilliard William Crawford) passed away suddenly at his home in Ancaster, Ontario, on April 29, 2026, following a heart attack. He was 81.
Born on September 25, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, Hilliard became “Bunker” almost immediately. As the story goes, the nurse present at his birth was from Boston and, seeing that he was Hilliard, son of Hilliard, called him “Little Bunker Hill.” The name stayed with him for the rest of his life, and to many of the people who knew and loved him, he was simply Bunker.
Bunker grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, with his parents and his sister, Barbara Anne. From an early age, he stood out both academically and athletically. He excelled as a swimmer, skipped grades, and left for university at a remarkably young age. He attended the Royal Military College of Canada, where he studied chemical engineering, though his independent streak may have made him better suited to entrepreneurship than military life. He received an honourable discharge in order to return home and help care for his ailing father and support the family business, running a marina in North Bay, Ontario.
His career reflected the same mix of intelligence, ambition, curiosity, and independence that marked the rest of his life. He began his professional career with DuPont, making dynamite, and went on to work across chemical engineering, sales, and entrepreneurship. Some ventures succeeded and others did not, but Bunker was always learning, always moving, and always looking for the next idea. One such effort was a new and improved brake pad, a product he believed in deeply even if the market was not ready to move away from entrenched industry practices. Another was Greenback, a paper and cardboard recycling company that also created meaningful work opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, helping them build confidence and independence through employment.
In the later and most successful chapter of his career, Bunker joined Kontek, a wastewater treatment company in Burlington, Ontario, where he became head of sales. He travelled widely, selling large wastewater treatment systems for uses ranging from mines in Mexico to mints in the Middle East. He enjoyed the independence, complexity, and international scope of the work, and helped grow Kontek from its startup roots into a thriving company.
Bunker married early in life and later moved on from his first marriage. He met Paula in Toronto in the early 1980s, and together they had three children: Tad, Sloan, and Lachlan “Lucky.” Fatherhood was, in his own eyes, the most important role of his life. He took enormous pride in his children and in trying to give them every opportunity he could. He was deeply involved in their sports, schools, and activities, running the treasury department for the youth football organization, leading fundraising efforts for the gymnastics club, organizing trips for the cheerleading team, and serving on boards and committees wherever he thought he could help.
He cared deeply about his children’s futures and was intensely invested in their lives and accomplishments. He never missed a home or away football game during Tad’s football career, and he travelled just as devotedly for Sloan’s gymnastics events and Lachlan’s activities. He was immensely proud that Tad attended Columbia, Sloan attended William & Mary, and Lachlan attended McGill, accomplishments he saw not only as theirs, but as part of the purpose and meaning of his own life.
As his children grew into adulthood and built lives of their own, Bunker remained proud of them and interested in the paths they were taking. He visited Tad in Vancouver, Montreal, and Boston, and he continued to follow the lives and accomplishments of all three of his children with deep pride. He loved them dearly and took great pride in the adults they became.
Bunker was also a man of deep and lasting friendships. Some of his most formative years were in Montreal in the 1960s, where a group of about a dozen young men celebrated Expo 67 in grand style, made the Cock and Bull their neighbourhood pub, spent nights on stage with the band at Your Father’s Moustache, skied most weekends in the Eastern Townships and Vermont, and formed the friendships that became the River Devils. Over the decades, the River Devils went on to share canoe trips, whitewater paddling, and adventures across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Most remained friends for nearly sixty years.
They loved Bunker for his love of life, his energy, his care for others, and the simple pleasure he took in being with his friends. On canoe trips, cold, wet, and bad camp food never seemed to bother him much; he was just happy to be out there with them. The strength of those friendships showed itself not only in adventure, but in loyalty. His friends believed in him, stood behind his ambitions, and remained with him through the ventures and turns that marked a life spent trying to build something new.
He was outgoing, social, smart, and full of appetite for the world. He loved to read, to travel, to go out for a good meal, to laugh, to celebrate, and to enjoy a good bottle of wine, particularly a nice Italian Barolo. He appreciated the finer things in life, but more than that, he appreciated the experience of sharing them with others. He was happiest in good company, with a story being told, a glass being poured, and the next conversation already underway.
In the early 2000s, Bunker met his partner, Lona Burgess. They began sharing their life together in Ancaster in approximately 2007, and their home remained his home until his death. In his later years, he also found great companionship in his beloved dog, Eimear, his best friend and partner in crime.
Bunker is survived by his children, Tad Crawford, Sloan Crawford, and Lachlan Crawford; his daughter-in-law, Stephanie Crawford; his grandchildren, Sinclair Crawford and Berkley Crawford; his partner, Lona Burgess; and his sister, Barbara Anne of Smiths Falls, Ontario. He was delighted to become a grandfather and took great pride in seeing the next generation of his family begin.
Cremation will take place, and details for a celebration of Bunker’s life will be shared with family and friends.
Bunker leaves behind stories, friendships, and a family he loved. Those who knew him are invited to remember him in the way he would have appreciated: by raising a glass of Barolo, sharing a good story, and celebrating a life lived with intelligence, independence, humour, and heart.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rodney (Rod) Dean after a tragic fall. He was surrounded by love with his wife of 34 years Kathi (nee Gardiner), his two sons Sam and Daniel, and his father Gordon.
Predeceased by his loving mother Lynda and survived by his father Gordon Dean. Rod will always be in the hearts of so many family and friends, including his “third” son, his furry boy Gus.
He will be missed by his Aunt Peggy (Paul), Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Sherry, and Aunt Sandra.
Very much-loved Son in law to Marilyn and her late husband Hank. He was a special brother-in-law to John (Sheila) and Bob (Brenda) and uncle to Turner (Melissa) and Tyrus (Rachel) and most recently Great Uncle to Arthur.
Rod had many cousins and some were more like brothers to him who deserve a special mention – Allen (Bucky), Adam and John. All his cousins were very special to Rod and are going to be missed by Byron, Tracey, Kelly, Scott, Sarah, Jesse and Carlie.
Rod will be especially missed by his wife and best friend Kathi. Highschool sweethearts and each other’s best supporters. Two beautiful sons Sam and Daniel were created from this love. Rod was thrilled to have two boys that he could talk about sports with and loved every minute of hanging out with them whether they were watching sports, playing them or listening to music which was another love of Rods.
Rod had a long career in Oakville at a Pharmaceutical Company that was called Searle when he first started, after several ownership changes ended as ANI. He made so many friends over the years there and most recently started making new friends at Summit Station Dairy & Creamery.
Special mention to longtime friends: Brian Smith, Greg Forster, Simon Frank, Jamie and Jennifer Kleven, Mark Greathead (and the rest of the football gang!)
Rod was always so loyal, always ready and willing to help someone else before he would help himself. He has continued with that and has already saved 3 lives by donating his organs. His gift of life to others is a true picture of his kind and helpful nature.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Hamilton Airforce Association, 128 King Street East, Dundas, on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Hamilton SPCA in his memory.
