- 1935, Thursday August 8, The Almonte Gazette front page
Sudden Passing Of Tobe Naismith Widely Mourned
Death of Popular Citizen Comes As Great Shock To This District
Sad and sudden was the death this Thursday morning at the Rosamond Memorial Hospital of Lawrence Naismith, more familiarly known to his many friends at "Tobe." Mr Naismith had been indisposed for the last few weeks but was going about up to Monday afternoon when he took a turn for the worse and was confined to bed. By Tuesday noon his condition had grown so serious that he was rushed to the hospital and an Ottawa doctor was summoned to perform an emergency operation. This disclosed that Mr Naismith could not recover and the announcement came as a distinct shock to the whole town and district. There was no more active, cheerful or kindly man in Almonte than "Tobe" Naismith. His associations formed as representative in this district for General Motors Limited, of Oshawa, and a patron of sports and athletics brought him many contacts which added to his wide popularity. His passing is a great loss to a town which has suffered many similar losses in the last few years and which can ill afford the removal of such citizens.
An Active Life
The late Lawrence Naismith was born at the homestead, ninth line of Ramsay, of February 19th, 1879, and was 56 years old at the time of his sudden passing. He was a son of the late Peter Naismith and his wife, the former Catherine Gilmour, and attended school at Bennies Corners. Going West in 1898, Mr Naismith settled in Wawanesa, Man., where he operated an insurance business until 1908 when he moved to Morse, Sask. There he established a hardware, real estate and insurance business. While in Morse he served for some time as a member of the council and Board of Education, In 1922 Mr Naismith sold out his western interests and returned to the old home town of Almonte, where he formed a connection with General Motors and was a most successful representative up to the time of his death.
President Bowling Club
Deceased was a member of Bethany United Church and a life member of Morse Lodge, A.F & A.M. and a member of Granite Chapter No 61. Since coming to Almonte he served on the Board of Education and several other bodies. He was president of the Lawn Bowling Club at the time of his death and was an enthusiastic supporter of all lines of sport, especially baseball and hockey. The late Mr Naismith leaves a wife, formerly Miss Helen Snedden of Ramsay, and a daughter Miss Helen of Almonte. Brothers and sisters surviving are Peter of Almonte, Welland of Asparto, Cal; William of Denver, Col Jack and James in Saskatchewan and Albert and Margaret on the homestead. One brother Robert was killed in France during the war. Two sisters (Jessie) Mrs Wm Steele and Jean died a number of years ago. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at two o'clock from his late residence, Church street, to the Auld Kirk Cemetery, under the auspices of Morse Lodge A.F. & A.M. Morse, Sask. Officers of Mississippi Lodge, Almonte, will have charge. The sympathy of a host of friends in Almonte and district goes out to the bereaved wife and daughters.
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