Clare Thompson Syme

Other Events and Attributes:

• _FGLINK: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127158825
• _FGRAVE: 127158825

Notes:

Died:
1974, Thursday May 23,The Almonte Gazette, page 3
Clare Syme Dies Suddenly
The sudden death of Clare T. (Pete) Syme of R.R. 1, Almonte occurred a, the Almonte General Hospital at 12.30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 1974, following but a few hours' illness. He was 61. Clare farmed on the home farm at Bennie's Corners, and also operated a milk truck route for several years, and for the last two years was employed with Lindsay Farm Equipment in Almonte. Born in Ramsay Township on May 15, 1912, he was a son of Mrs. Mabel (Snedden) Syme, and the late, Peter T. Syme. He was a member of the United Church. He is survived by his wife, the former lone Boal, whom he married at Pakenham on June 10, 1942; his aged mother, Mrs. Peter T. Syme; a daughter Marilyn (Mrs. James Naismith) of Pakenham; a grandson, Matthew; and one sister, Myrtle (Mrs. Tom Nugent) of South March. Clare attended school at Bennie's Corners on the 8th line of Ramsay and continued on in high school in Almonte. He was always ready to participate in sports during these years. He loved the game of ball and always found time to play the game. He used to practice at home on the farm by getting his younger sister, Myrtle, to throw the ball as hard as she could either at him or to either side and he would field it and fire it back at her, and through time Myrtle also became a most capable player and used to give Clare some tough hard throws to handle. As years went by, and particularly after the 1939-45 war when the different softball leagues got organized again, Clare helped organize and coach the "Almonte Garage" team which was sponsored by Gordon Hill in 1945, until 1948, and was then sponsored by George Gomme as "Gomme's Lumber Kings," which continued until about 1952, during which time they were North Lanark League champions on different occasions. Clare continued playing with other teams, some in Almonte and others in Pakenham until his early 50's, and was always ready and willing to teach the younger players the many aspects of the game and fair play. He was a most capable umpire and performed this duty for many years. His personal contribution to the game of ball in this area has been unmeasurable, and he always did it most willingly. As a curler, Clare started with the old irons and continued on with the granites, and was President of the Almonte Curling Club on two different occasions. He was later presented with an honourary life membership pin by J. C. Smithson, the then president, for his contribution to the Almonte Curling Club in particular and curling in the valley in general. Clare represented Centre 24 in the Ottawa Valley as Centre Convenor for many years, which was a large responsibility and was most capably handled by him as he understood the many problems and pitfalls involved in scheduling the many competitions and events throughout the Centre. One competition that Clare was responsible for founding was the 10-pointer Mixed Bonspiel and was restricted to the Almonte curlers, except during the few years that Pakenham had ice problems, at which time they were included. All area curlers will understand and remember the great success this particular event became and the fellowship it created at the club level. In curling as in other sports, Clare always played to win, but in the event of a loss he took it gracefully and as a good sport but be would be ready for the return match. Clare really liked people and always had time to say "hello," have a chat about last night's hockey game or bet on tomorrow night's game, and even give odds on certain occasions. Our community will miss this great sportsman and his contributions. The funeral was held from the Kerry Funeral Home, 154 Elgin street, Almonte, on Wednesday, May 15th, at 2.30 p.m., with burial at Auld Kirk Cemetery. Rev. A. C. Dodds of Pakenham United Church conducted the funeral services. Pallbearers were Arthur Munro, Percy Timmins, Wilfred Lindsay, Jack C. Smithson, Donald Lockhart and Bill Boal.

Clare married Margaret Ione "Oney" Boal on 10 Jun 1942 in Pakenham, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of Stanley Boal and Janet Maybelle Millar) was born in 1916 in Almonte, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada; died on 19 May 2001 in Arnprior, Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada; was buried in 2001 in Auld Kirk Cemetery, Ramsay, Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Naismith. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]