HUBERT MEDHURST

Hubert Medhurst passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014.
He was born in McIrvine on April 25, 1908, the youngest of five children, to Charlotte (Lottie Smeeth) and George Medhurst.
He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Polly and Charles Smeeth. He and his brother, Jesse, then stayed in Fort Frances, Ont. when his dad moved to England with the three older siblings, who all predeceased him.
Except for a brief period in Calgary, Alta., Hubert lived in the Fort Frances area all his life.
His first job as a young lad was being the water boy for the men installing, by hand shovel, the sewer and water lines down Scott Street. His dad was the first foreman.
He then began work at the paper mill in 1929 as a general labourer, later becoming a machinist, machine shop foreman, and safety supervisor.
He was a charter member of the IAMAW union and was active in various safety programs at the mill, retiring in 1970.
Hubert was predeceased by his first wife, Kathleen O’Connell, in 1987 and his second wife, Clara Beck, in 2012.
He also was predeceased by his grandson, Raymond John Medhurst; son-in-law, Harry Walden; and stepson, Fred Grozelle.
Hubert is survived by his son, Douglas (Lois) Medhurst of Fort Frances, Ont., and daughter, Pat Walden of Kelowna, B.C.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Paul (Lorri) Medhurst of Squamish, B.C. and their children, Jenny, Kelsey (Brad), and Travis; Kathleen-Anne (Ted) Scholten of Fort Wayne, Ind. and their children, Joshua and Jeremy; Albert (Gina) Walden of Kelowna, B.C. and their children, Jenny (Mark) and family, Kristen (Jim) of Vancouver, B.C., adopted son, Jamie, of Grassy Narrows Reserve, and children, Ethan and Tyrell; Tom Walden of Toronto, Ont. and his family, Jorgen and Swen; and Shelly (Peter) Stewart of Ottawa, Ont. and their daughter, Lisa (Eric) and family.
Also surviving are step-grandson, John Grozelle (Mabel) and their family; step-granddaughter, Carla (Jeff) Weir of Falkland, B.C. and their family; and step-grandson, Michael Grozelle of Winnipeg, Man. and his family.
Hubert also is survived by his stepson, Bob (Barb) Beck; and step-grandchildren, Cindy (Greg) Allan and family, Don (Rose) Beck and family, and Debra (Wade) Perusse and family.
Hubert and Clara spend many hours working and enjoying the social life they found at the Sister Kennedy Centre. After Clara passed away, it became his sole outlet to enjoy life playing cards and being with friends.
In October, he became the first recipient of the Sister Kennedy Senior Citizen of the Year Award for 2013.
A time to reminisce by friends and relatives will take place Friday, Jan. 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the Sister Kennedy Centre (401 Nelson St.)