- 1963, Thursday June 20, The Almonte Gazette front page
?b?Two Lose Lives As Fire Destroys Home In Ramsay?/b?
The citizens of Ramsay Township were awakened to stark tragedy in their midst early Wednesday morning, June 19 when two of their members lost their lives in a fire on the 7th line of the Township. The fire which destroyed the large stone home of Mr W.H. Poole, took the lives of his son, Edward, aged 35 and Edward's little son, Sterling, 5 years. In bed and asleep upstairs when the fire broke out were Mr and Mrs W.H. Poole, Edward and his wife Ruth, son Sterling and Brenda Lee Poole, year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Harry Poole of Ottawa. The fire broke out in the kitchen, living room below and had made tremendous headway when noticed. Edward broke the bedroom window and help his wife and Brenda Lee out of the window and dropped them to the ground. He then turned to rescue his son, nearby. His wife heard him call, "O Ruth, I'm gone," and it is believed the floor gave away. Mr and Mrs W.H. Poole were able to make their way outdoors via the front door of the house. Another son, Jack was in Ottawa at the time. Mrs Poole Jr., drove to Mr Robert Cochran's to call for help but their telephone was on the same circuit and was out of order. The Cochrans then went to Mr Milton Cochran's home and sounded the alarm. The siren sounded in Almonte about 1.15 a.m. and Almonte and Pakenham brigades responded. All they were able to do was to save the outbuildings. No reason has been advanced so far for the fire. The house was heated with an oil furnace and cooking was done with electricity. Mrs Ruth Poole and Brenda Lee are in the Almonte General Hospital. Mrs Poole is suffering from shock and severe foot injuries which include burns and cuts from broken glass. Brenda Lee suffered burns about the head. Mr and Mrs Poole are at the home of Mr and Mrs Robert Cochran at present. The Almonte Fire Brigade came back to town about 3.20 a.m. and returned to the scene at 5 a.m. They pumped water from the Indian River to cool the ashes so that the two bodies could be recovered.
1963, Thursday June 20, The Almonte Gazette page 10
?b?DEATHS
POOLE ?/b?-- William Edward, suddenly on Wed., June 19th, 1963. William Edward Poole. beloved husband of Ruth Barbara Turner and dear father of the late William Sterling and dear brother of (Mary) Mrs Russell Turner, Jackie, Almonte and Harry, Ottawa, in his 35th year. Resting at the Kerry Funeral Home, 154 Elgin Street Almonte, thence to St Paul's Anglican Church for service on Fri., at 2.30 p.m. Interment Auld Kirk Cemetery.
DEATHS
POOLE -- William Sterling, suddenly on Wed., June 19th, 1963. William Sterling Poole. beloved son of the late William Edward Poole and Ruth Barbara Turner, in his 6th year. Resting at the Kerry Funeral Home, 154 Elgin Street Almonte, thence to St Paul's Anglican Church for service on Fri., at 2.30 p.m. Interment Auld Kirk Cemetery.
1963, Thursday June 27, The Almonte Gazette front page
?b?Double Funeral Is Held For Victims of Fire?/b?
Impressive tribute to the memory of William Edward Poole aged 35 Years and his son William Sterling Poole, 5 years was paid at a double funeral which was held on Friday, June 21 from the Kerry Funeral Home to St. Paul's Anglican Church where the service was held at 2.30 p.m. Canon J. W, R. Meakin officiated assisted by former rector, Rev. R. S. V. Crossley of Stittsville. Mr. Poole and his son were the victims of the tragic fire which destroyed their home in the early morning of June 19. The father lost his life in a desperate effort to save his little boy. This tragedy deeply shocked the whole community and relatives and friends in large numbers attended to pay their last respects to the memory of Mr. Poole who was both a popular and highly respected farmer and his little son. St. Paul's Church could not accommodate those wishing to attend and the funeral cortege was the largest seen in this community for many years. William Edward Poole was the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Poole, 7th line of Ramsay Township and farmed with his father. He was born at Woodlawn and educated in the local schools there and came to Ramsay with his parents 19 years ago. Thirteen years ago he married Miss Ruth Turner who survives, but who is a patient in the Almonte General Hospital recovering from numerous burns. William Sterling was their only child. He also leaves his sorrowing sister Mary, Mrs. Turner of Ramsay and brothers Harry of Ottawa and Jackie at home. Interment was in the Auld Kirk Cemetery. The pallbearers for the father, were: John Cochran, Keith Cavanagh, Robert Naismith, Everett Dolan, Ron Steele and Alvin Buck. The pallbearers for the son were: Peter Cochran, Claude Cochran, Jimmie Cavanagh and John Poole. Beautiful floral tributes were received as further tokens of sympathy. Among them were tokens from Almonte IGA and staff. B. A. Thurston Ltd., Duncan's Poultry Farm. The Eastern Star, Staff Almonte Public Schools, Square Dance Club, St. Paul's Sunday School and teachers and the Eastern Ontario Jersey Breeders Association.
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1929 - 1963 (34 years)
