Community Champions

Joseph Oliver grew up north of Sunderland. He attended the University of Toronto where he completed his medical degree in 1894. After graduation he returned to Sunderland where in 1904, he opened his medical clinic at 128 River Street where he also resided and raised his family. With the outbreak of war in 1914, Dr. … Read more

Bessie Oliver is remembered for her service to the village of Sunderland. The daughter of long-serving physician, Dr. Joseph Oliver, Bessie assisted him in his home clinic. Stories are still told of how Bessie would accompany her aging father as he set out in blizzard conditions to reach the homes of those in need of … Read more

Ferguson (Fergie) Munro was born in 1902 near Manchester in Reach Township. He attended public school in Manchester. In 1913, Fergie moved to Shady Nook Farm, Brock Township, Concession 2, near Sonya. Over the next 70 years, he operated a mixed farm with his father and subsequently with his children and grandchildren, growing mixed grains … Read more

Bill McDougall ran a very successful excavating company located just east of the village of Sunderland. However, he may be best remembered for his contributions to community service and environmental protection organizations. The Lions Club recognized McDougall’s leadership capacity, appointing him a District Governor of the organization. Two particular Lions projects reflect Bill’s generous nature. … Read more

Enid Martin was born near Greenbank, Ontario in 1914 and graduated from the University of Toronto with a teaching diploma from the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Enid began teaching music in Sunderland in 1934 and trained many students to be excellent musicians. Through her tutelage, many of the community’s young people acquired Grade VIII piano … Read more

About the time that Canada was establishing nationhood, two brothers, Charles and George Johnson were growing up in Layton, a hamlet located at the intersection of sideroad 18 and the 2nd of Brock. Each graduated from Port Perry High School and gained distinction after graduation from Loyola University’s School of Dentistry in Chicago. For a … Read more

Graydon Hogg was a lifelong resident of the area where after the 2nd world war he operated a mixed farm just west of Sunderland on the 6th concession. In the mid ’50’s, Graydon sold the farm and moved to town. He was employed until retirement with the Ontario Department of Highways. Anyone involved with Sunderland’s … Read more

Kenneth Harrison was born August 10, 1910 in Yorkshire, England. At age 10, Ken’s mother died and for financial reasons his father placed him in the care of the Barnardo organization. In 1925, Ken set sail aboard the S.S. Montclare for Canada eventually arriving at the Barnardo, Jarvis Street headquarters in Toronto. Ken’s placement brought … Read more

Betty Ann (Fife) Harder was born in Hastings, Ontario into a family with deep farming roots. She was a descendent of David Fife who developed Red Fife Wheat established as a standard in the Canadian milling industry over a century ago. Her involvement with the Presbyterian church and Junior Farmers led to her 1977 marriage … Read more