Calvin Meiker Dillabough
A lifetime resident of the Chesterville area, Calvin Meiker Dillabough died peacefully at home on Oct. 15, 2004. He was 96.
He was born on March 2, 1908 at the family home east of Chesterville. Parents Morley and Alice also had one older son, Arthur, and one younger daughter, Stella.
When Calvin was about 26, he set his sights on a young girl from Winchester Springs by the name of Cassie Hummel. On their first date Calvin picked Cassie up in a horse drawn carriage which was pulled by a horse named Bird. This continued to be their mode of transportation for subsequent dates.
Their courtship was short-lived and they soon became husband and wife. They were married in Elma on June 26, 1935. After they were married they lived with his father Morley, his brother Arthur, and his wife Evelyn. A while later they moved to another farm east of Dunbar, very close to where they would later enjoy many years of retirement together.
In March of 1936 they had their first child, Shirley Jean. In October of 1939 their son Ray Calvin was born. Their family was complete. Cassie remembers Calvin saying, "Cassie, now we have one of each and that is enough."
The bulk of his working years would be spent on a family farm which was shared with Ray and his family on the Weeger Road. He also worked for Nestle, Murray Sullivan and Morewood Homes to earn a little extra money. He was even known to some of the local neighbors as the barber, as he would cut the men's hair on Sundays, but there was no charge for that.
In the summer of 1978 both Calvin and Cassie worked at Morewood, putting together homes for many families. It was then that they decided to build a home on a little piece of the farm and retire. When they moved to this little bungalow, the only piece of farm equipment he took with him was his beloved Massey "50" tractor.
He enjoyed many things in life. Among these were his family, cards, dances, gardening, travel and carpentry work. He also loved to make miniature replicas of sleighs and wagons, the kind they used when he was a young man on the farm. He loved to hear the hunting and fishing stories told by his family members and he did go on a few fishing trips. On one of those trips his grandson Ron had invited him to the sixth annual Napanee Walleye Fishing Derby. He won second place hooking a nine-pound pickerel.
Wednesday and Saturday nights were card nights at Cal and Cassie's. During these nights the players would tease each other about how many nickels they had in their jar, and how many they had lost to each other. Calvin loved to see his family and friends stop in for a visit. He loved to have people around him to visit and have a good time.
He was very dedicated to his family and his beloved Cassie. When she was in the hospital, Cal was up early and ready to go every morning. He would sit by her side from morning until after she was settled in at night. Even in the last few weeks when he was not feeling well, he was always asking where "Mom" was and if she was being looked after.
He always told his family, "You make sure she is looked after and has what ever she needs." This deep love and sense of caring was a trademark of Calvin and he will be fondly remembered by all of his family and the many people who had the pleasure of calling him their friend.
He is survived by his loving wife Cassie; and children Shirley (Lyle) Munro, and Ray (Verna), both of RR 2 Chesterville. He was predeceased by brother Arthur and sister Stella Parker. He will be fondly remembered by 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. He is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Oct. 24. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Oct. 18 with Rev. Doug Carnegie officiating. Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Chesterville.
Pallbearers were grandchildren Carl, Lyndon, and Ron Munro; Kathy Crump; Wayne Dillabough; Donna Dillabough; Debbie Sharkey; and Darlene Marcellus. Donations to the Williamsburg United Church would be appreciated by the family.