Harold Edwin STAFFORD

STAFFORD, Harold Edwin
Of St. Thomas, on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at his late residence, in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Betty (Hubert) Stafford and dearly loved father of John Stafford of LaSalle and Robert and his wife Karin Stafford of Kingsville and father-in-law of Barbara. Loved grandfather of Erin and Lauren Stafford. Dear brother of Ronald Stafford of Fredericton, N.B., Verna Ells of Edmonton and the late Allison Stafford. Dear brother-in-law of Don and his wife Betty Hubert of St. Thomas. Also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Harold was born in Birdton, N.B. on April 20, 1921, the son of the late Charles 'Earl' and Alice (Brewer) Stafford. After graduating from teacher's college, he entered into the air force, served as a sargeant and was stationed in St. Thomas for 3 years. He was a graduate of the University of New Brunswick Bachelor of Science and the University of New Brunswick Law School and attended the London School of Economics on a Lord Beaverbrook Scholarship. He started practicing law in 1953 in Brantford and then St. Thomas in 1955. He was appointed to Queens Council in 1969. He was the Federal member of Parliament for Elgin County from 1965 to 1972 and was Chairman of the Ontario Caucus. He was a member of Branch 41 of the Royal Canadian Legion, St. David's Masonic Lodge #302 A.F. and A.M., the Oddfellows and former member of St. Thomas Kiwanis Club. Resting at Williams Funeral Home, 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas until Friday and then to Knox Presbyterian Church for service 1:00 p.m. Visitation Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation or the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Foundation (Dr. Stanley Hagerman Unit).