- 1955, Thursday November 17, The Almonte Gazette front page
?b?Almonte Loses Fine Citizen In Death Of Thomas Reid?/b?
Following a lengthy illness, Thomas James Reid died at his Union Street home in Almonte on Tuesday morning, Nov 15th in his 86th year. for many years he had been a leading business man of the town and during the long period of his retirement he continued to be active in public affairs, serving on the Council, the board of stewards of his church and helping to further the aims of other worthy organizations.
Born In Scotland
Mr Reid was born on the Aldie estate, Kincross-shire, Scotland, Dec 17th, 1869, a son of John Reid and his wife, Catherine Haldane. He left Scotland with his parents, four brothers and one sister in 1881 and the family located in Almonte. He and his brother, Alexander now of Arnprior, were in business together for some years in a store opposite the present location of the O'Brien Theatre. They conducted a men's clothing business and when they sold out, Alex decided to open a similar store in Arnprior and the late Mr Reid bought the block where the Stedman store is now located on Mill Street and carried on a clothing business there for many years. He retired as a merchant 37 years ago leaving a reputation as a good businessman who carried an excellent stock and satisfied his customer to an unusual degree.
Liked to Curl
During the period of his retirement, which was a lengthy one, he took an active interest in many things including properties which he own in town, two of which were very good blocks in the business section, which he disposed of some years ago. He was an ardent curler, enjoying the game to the full as most Scotsmen do. A faithful member of the United Church, Mr Reid served on the Board of Stewards and for some years was a member of the Town Council. He married Agnes Jane Drummond who predeceased him seven years ago. There was no family. He leaves two brother, Alexander of Arnprior and Andrew S. Reid of Wenham, Mass., both of whom attended the funeral this Thursday. Legion's Good Friend
In 1947, the local branch of the Canadian Legion approached the Town Council to finance it in the purchase of the Montreal Bank residence on Bridge Street, now the Legion Memorial Home. This fine, big, stone building had been used as the home of the local bank manager for a great many years, but as time passed and big residences passed out of favour, a smaller house was purchased by the Bank on Union Street for its representatives here. The Bank on being approached by the Legion, agreed to sell it on more favourable terms than would be accorded any other prospective purchaser. But the Town Council of that day, turned down the pleas of the returned men. On hearing this, Mr Reid, who no longer was a councillor, approached a friend who was a Legionnaire with an offer to finance the venture. This word was passed on to the president of the Legion, Mr Arthur Smith, and the two interviewed Mr Reid with the result that he agreed to back the deal on most generous terms. In a year or so he wrote off the indebtedness, thereby converting his action into something that was practically a donation. Thereby he earned the never ending gratitude of the veterans and it was a satisfaction to him that the organization prospered and did much good work in the community.
Honoured By Legion
He was made an honourary life member of the Legion and in the main lobby of the fine hall, opposite the great brass plaque that bears the names of those who died in two world wars is a smaller bronze plate on which is engraved this inscription:
Erected in honour of Thomas Reid Esq., whose generous contributions toward the purchase of this memorial home will always be remembered by the Almonte Branch, Canadian Legion, B.E.S.L., 1948." Mr Reid was a very kindly man and he practised charity in the most commendable manner ? without ostentation and, in fact on a strict understanding with those he helped that if they made public his good deeds he would withdraw the assistance. He was a modest, self effacing person and it was only after great pressure that the Legion could get him to be present for the unveiling of the plaque in his honour.
The funeral was held this Thursday afternoon from the Comba Funeral Home to the Auld Kirk Cemetery, Rev J. Ray Anderson, pastor of the Almonte United Church, conducted the services. Members of the local Legion Branch formed a guard of honour as the casket was borne from the funeral parlours to the hearse. Pallbearers were: Dr. A.H. Reid and A.J. Farmer of Arnprior; Bon Boland and W.K. Boland of Pembroke; Austin Symington and George Elliott of Almonte.
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1869 - 1955 (85 years)
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