Not in many years has
the death of one of her citizens created such profound sorrowful
expressions of regret as were heard on every hand in Simcoe yesterday,
when the townsfolk learned that Mr. Frank Reid had passed away in the
early hours of the morning, apparently while asleep.
Only
the day before Mr. Reid had been about in his usual health. Tuesday
night he attended the annual meeting of the Children's Aid Society, at
which he was re-elected president for the 21st year of his
office.
During the
meeting he mentioned to several friends that he had not felt well prior
to coming down town, but there was nothing in his appearance at the
close of the session to lead his fellow members to suspect that he was
in other than his usual good health and spirits.
In
view of this and the fact he was seen frequently seen about the streets
on Tuesday, apparently as active as at any time during his long and
useful career, the news of his death came with such a shock as to be
well nigh beyond belief. Early last summer Mr. Reid had been feeling
unwell, but his condition was not such as to give cause for any alarm.
The
late Frank Reid was the youngest and last surviving member of a family
of eight children born to Archibald Reid and Elspet Shand. He was born
in Vittoria in 1862, and attended the Vittoria Public and Simcoe High
Schools.
After graduation
from Osgoode Law School, Mr. Reid returned to Simcoe and became
associated with the legal firm of Tisdale, Livingstone and Robb in 1889,
and had been continuously in practice here since that time.
During
these years he built up a large and lucrative practice and won and held
the confidence and respect of the entire county. He was the oldest
member of his profession in Norfolk and his passing will create a void
in legal ranks that will be difficult to fill.
In
politics Mr. Reid was a stalwart Conservative and one of the best
platform speakers of which that party could boast. At the same time he
was always tolerant and ranked as high in the esteem of his political
opponents as he did in that of his friends.
While
he was at different times tendered parliamentary nomination, Mr. Reid
was never a candidate, and contented himself with giving his services to
his party whenever called upon. without thought of personal preferment.
For
long years he was one of the outstanding laymen of the Presbyterian
Church in Canada, and held many offices and was an ardent member of St.
Paul's Church.
At the
consummation union, however, Mr. Reid threw in his lot with the
unionists, and during the latter years of his life he was a devoted
member of the United Church.
As
town treasurer of Simcoe for many years, Mr. Reid became known to and
respected by practically every citizen in the town, and his passing will
be deeply mourned by all concerned with municipal affairs.
Besides
this he was treasuer of the Oakwood Cemetery Company, the Masonic
Lodge, the Long Point Company, president Children's Aid Society,
director of Norfolk Golf and Country Club and of the Rotary Club.
No
movement, charitable or otherwise, that made for the betterment of
conditions in the community, ever appealed in vain to Frank Reid for
assistance, and in his passing Simcoe and Norfolk have lost a citizen
whose integrity had become a tradition, and the extent of whose quiet
beneficence to those less fortunately placed will probably never by
known.
Mr. Reid is survived
by one son, Francis, a law student at Osgoode Hall, Toronto. Mrs. Reid
predeceased her husband some three years ago.
The
funeral will take place from the family residence, Lynnwood Avenue,
tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2.30 o'clock to Oakwood Cemetery.
