Stratford Area Deaths
Shirley Brocklebank
Shirley Rose Brocklebank, 77, formerly of Stratford, died at the People Care Centre, Tavistock, on Aug. 15. Born in North York Township, York County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Rose (Andrews) Smith. She is survived by her daughters Wendy Partridge and her husband Randy of St. Marys and Wanda Brocklebank of Waterloo. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family having been predeceased by nine brothers and sisters. Visitation was at the Heinbuck Funeral Home. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Andrew Leonard Laverty
Andrew Leonard Laverty, 18, died of cancer Aug. 15. He lived in Stratford area until the age of 12. He participated in the Stratford Rotary Hockey League, Stratford Youth Soccer League, and Milverton Royal Hockey League and played baseball in Rostock. He had a “Big Brother” during instrumental years and out of this came the opportunity for him to attend many summer camps including Tatamagouche in Nova Scotia through the Tim Horton’s Foundation. Andrew and his mother lived in Kitchener and Waterloo from 2001 to 2007 when Andrew returned to the Stratford area and enrolled in the COPE Program at Northwestern Secondary School. He enjoyed country living on his aunt and uncle’s dairy goat farm for the past year year. In May of 2007 he was diagnosed with colon cancer, signet ring cell adenocarcenoma which is rare and difficult to treat. He is survived by his mother Laura Laverty and partner Sue Bain as well as his grandparents Bernard and Linda Laverty, great grandmother Celena Kocher., aunts and uncles, Janet Laverty and her children Justin, Morgan and Lucas; Suzanne Laverty; Kevin Laverty (Kalynn Tyshenko) and their son MacKenzie; Jamie Laverty (Jenine) and their children Nicholas and Grace; Sean Laverty. He was predeceased by his great grandparents Leonard and Grace Laverty, and Alban Kocher. Visitation was at the W.G. Young Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church. Burial in Avondale Cemetery.

Guy Nelson
Guy Edward Nelson, 51, of 75 Borden St., Stratford, died Aug. 18 at Stratford General Hospital. Born in Stratford he was a son of the late James A. Nelson and Sylvia E. (McGhee) Nelson of 34 Laurier St., Stratford. He had been employed at A.O. Smith in Stratford for several years. Surviving besides his mother is a brother Garth Nelson of London. At his request, there was no visitation or funeral service. Final arrangements by the Heinbuck Funeral Home.

Marion Theresa Nicholson (Judge)
Marion Theresa Nicholson, the last surviving member of the family of Alexander and Mabel Judge, was born in London on June 24, 1930. She was predeceased by her husband Don in 2005. She and her husband enjoyed the company of family and friends at their home in Stratford, their cottage at Point Clarke and their vacation home in Plant City, Fla. She enjoyed dancing at Lakeside and the Knights of Columbus in Stratford, playing cards with friends and summers at the cottage with her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her six children, Pauline Allen (Bill) of London; Barbara Nicholson of Newington, Conn.; Joan Southam (Charles) of Burlington; Ron Nicholson (Cathy) of Stratford; Janet Berendsen (John) of Thorndale; and Vern Nicholson (June) of Erin. Visitation was at the W.G Young Funeral Home. A funeral mass was celebrated at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. Interment in Avondale Cemetery.

Virgil (Vern) Schier PHMB
Virgil (Vern) Schier, 95, died Aug. 13 at his home at RR 2, Gadshill. He was the son of the late Charles and Mabel Schier. He graduated from the College of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, in 1939. He then served four years overseas with R.A.F. Radar Division. He opened Schier Pharmacy in Belmont Plaza in 1953 and operated it for 25 years. He was a member of Zion United Church, Rostock, Ellice Optimist Club, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #8, Stratford, Retired Business Men’s Club, Waterloo, Mother Lodge, Fidelity Lodge AF and AM 575, Toronto, and a charter member of Temple Lodge 690, Waterloo. He was also a member of Mocha Temple Shrine Club, Legion of Honour, London, and Stratford on the Avon Shrine Club. He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Hamilton) and by his sons Ronald of RR 2, Gadshill, and Robert of New Dundee.  A memorial service was held at the W.G. Young Funeral Home.