Wall-Custance Memorial Forest Program

MERCANTI, Paul A. – It is with great sadness for everyone that Paul Andrew Mercanti of Elora, ON passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026, after years of fighting many health issues. He was a strong fighter all the way to the end which was truly admirable.

Paul (Bubbles) was born in Hamilton, ON to Frank & Elaine on February 3,1965. His Dad was the proud owner of Mercanti Auto Body.

Our fun Paul will be deeply missed by his loving wife Laurie Cowan, daughter Natalie (Noodle Bear) & wife Erin Gerard who have memories of an amazing father with fun & lots of laughter.

Siblings Debbie Pollice (Tony), Joan Mastroluisi (Nick), Dan, Adam, Pat (Diana), Marnie Yarema (Brad), Christopher (Cindy), all of whom will miss his contagious laugh, jokes & pranks.

Predeceased by his parents Frank & Elaine Mercanti and his sister Lynn.

He also had many nieces & nephews that he created many memories for when they were little.

Later in life Paul added 4 of Laurie’s daughters Jacinda, Miranda (Tyler), Natalie & Aislynn (Jack) whom they adore him.

Lastly are his little people that gave him a chance to relive joy & fun again with children that he was so great at making a connection with.  Emry & Arty (Natalie G) Rory, Quintin & Isla (Jacinda).

Paul’s friends Dave & Tony have wild memories from days gone by that will stick with them forever. Paul will be with his best friend Dean now to laugh with everyday.

Paul worked as a cement truck driver for Dufferin Concrete. He loved his truck & going to different jobs all day & drinking his coffees & listening to music singing every word of every song no matter what genre. He loved hard rock the best. During the winter months he worked for the City of Hamilton plowing snow with many adventures that go with the job.

Paul was an amazing Dad to Natalie as she grew up, going the extra mile for her & taking her to many fun places. He taught her to laugh, have fun, never sweat the small stuff & go with the flow.

His passions were simple, good food and lots of it, pizza & pasta were favourites. He loved movies especially Jason Bourne. Paul could remember every title and every actor say the one liners to go with them.

Later in life Laurie got Paul back into regular golfing using his Dad’s heavy, vintage, bright red leather bag with gold accents and clubs with a new driver! He got better and better and played until September when he had to quit. He curled with Laurie for one season and loved it, he thought he should be a skip instead of her. He was a quick learner and liked to be the best. Anyone who can juggle is proof.

A celebration of life will take place in the near future for close family & friends. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Paul A. Mercanti in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

PODRUBSZKY, Gabor – Of Guelph, passed away peacefully at Hospice Wellington on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Beloved husband of Patricia, loving father of Gabor Jr. and Gerry, and cherished grandfather. He will also be fondly remembered by his many friends and fishing companions.

Gabor found his greatest joy in simple pleasures-casting a line off the dock, spending time outdoors, and relaxing at Camp Ashtaboula with Patricia at their trailer. A devoted sports fan, he could often be found watching and cheering on his favourite NFL team. In his younger years, Gabor enjoyed playing both baseball and hockey.

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Memorial contributions to the Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Gabor Podrubszky in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

LAWRIE, Patricia (Pat) (née Leader)

February 9, 1938 – April 25, 2026

Patricia “Pat” Lawrie passed away on April 25, 2026, at the age of 88.

Pat lived a life rooted in love, family, and fierce independence. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Michael “Mike” Lawrie, whom she married in 1958. Their partnership shaped her world, and after his passing in 2010, she carried that love with her every day.

Pat’s greatest pride and purpose was her family. While she did work later in life, her heart and energy were always centered on being a mother first. She is lovingly remembered by her children Greg Lawrie (Laura Wilkes), Chris (Cliff) Tucker, Melinda/Lini (Gary) Botter. She was a proud grandmother to Kathleen Lawrie, Meghan (Braden) Hicks, Zach (Veronica) Tucker, Max Tucker, Madison (Taylor) Binkle, Blake Botter, and a cherished great-grandmother to Molly & Emma, Valentina & Melina, Charlotte & Mackenzie, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Pat also leaves behind her brother Barney Leader and brother-in-law Brian Osatchuk.

Pat had a gift with people. She went out of her way to connect, always asking thoughtful questions, genuinely listening, and making others feel seen. She had many friends and was always ready for a social gathering, bringing laughter and warmth wherever she went. She had a deep appreciation for life’s small kindnesses and returned them tenfold, often through her handmade cards and heartfelt thank you notes.

She was known for her signature lasagna, a staple at many family gatherings, a tradition that will now be voluntold to someone in the family. Pat also had a vibrant sense of style; always embracing colour & pattern in her own way.  Hair done, lipstick on… and often her soft pink nail polish still drying as she walked out the door.  She was a woman that carried herself with a confidence that never reflected her age.

After Mike’s passing, Pat found companionship in her beloved cockapoos. Maggie brought her comfort for many years, and more recently, Toby became her constant companion, her “main squeeze” and daily partner.

Pat found joy in the simple, meaningful things. She loved her garden (especially the Iris flower) and expressed her creativity as an artist, working in oils and acrylics. Strawberries were Mike’s favorite and they always found their way onto countless canvases (and even the occasional mini bike), a quiet and lasting tribute to their life together.

She will be remembered for the laughter she shared and the memories she created. Pat had a close-knit circle of friends in Rockwood and, more recently, embraced a new chapter at Guelph Lake Commons, where she thoroughly enjoyed both the friendships and the need to never cook a meal. 

A lifelong friendship with Carol Burak was one of the constants of Pat’s life. The two met at age 10 in Mimico and remained inseparable ever since.  They were BFF’s long before that term existed.  They always said from saddle shoes to compression stockings was the story of their friendship. Their daily ritual of checking in with one another (right up to the very last day) ensuring they were both alive & well each day.  

True to her spirit, Pat remained active and engaged.  She had plans to tidy up her Rockwood garden the day of her passing. We find peace in knowing she passed without suffering, while Cracklin’ Rosie by Neil Diamond was playing in the background.  A fitting soundtrack for a life filled with heart, humour, and connection.

Pat’s family finds comfort in knowing she has moved on to the next phase of her journey, reunited with Mike.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held at Arkell United Church, 600 Arkell Rd, Puslinch, on Friday June 19, 2026, at 1:00pm with refreshments to follow. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever part of the lives she touched.

Memorial donations to Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory of Patricia (Pat) Lawrie in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

HUTCHISON, James (Jim) Arthur

Jim passed away peacefully at the age of 74 at Guelph General Hospital on April 24, 2026. He was born in Guelph on January 11, 1952, to Fred and Doris Hutchison (both predeceased).

Jim and his wife Mary Jayne (Tucker) (predeceased in 2023) were married November 19th, 1971. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Alisa Hutchison; his son-in-law, Les Indoe; his three grandchildren, Jordan Indoe (Jess), Taya Yarrow (Ryan), and Jenna Indoe (Jesse); his great-granddaughter, Alayna Indoe and many friends and extended family members.

Jim was a proud member of the Guelph Opti-Knights Drum Corps, where he formed many lifelong friendships. He met Jayne in 1971 while serving as an instructor to the Durham Girls Drum Corp. Jim retired at the age of 60 after 25 years with Purolator Courier, a job he truly loved.

He had a passion for old cars and trucks, enjoyed building replica cannons, and was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Bengals. Jim also enjoyed curling, listening to the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart, and spending time with family and friends over a Black Label beer.

Special thanks are extended to the wonderful staff at Wellington Park Retirement Home for their care and compassion over the past few years, as well as to the nurses and doctors on 4 West at Guelph General Hospital.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Guelph Country Club, 133 Woodlawn Road East, Guelph, on Saturday, June 20, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington or the Guelph Humane Society would be appreciated by Jim’s family.

A tree will be planted in memory of James (Jim) A. Hutchison in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

A tree will be planted in memory of Lynne Howell  in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

REID, LEONA LUCY (née Barclay)
Slipped away quietly in her sleep at home on April 23, 2026. Her final years reflected the gentle, gradual decline that comes with advanced age; she did not leave because of any disease or illness. Fortunately, she experienced no pain or discomfort and lived comfortably into her 98th year.

Devoted wife of Melville Reid, who predeceased her in 2013, she was the beloved mother of Raymond (Gretchen d. 2024), Richard (Eleane), and Marlene Collins (Derwin).

Leona was the loving and cherished grandmother of Darren (Rhona), Andrea, Shawn d.2021, Sarah (John), Nathan (Cari), Justin, Evan (Allison), Emily (Heath), and Marianne (Nathan), Magda, and Vanessa and the proud great-grandmother of seventeen.

Born on a mixed farm near Ariss to Gilbert and Lucy Barclay, she was the sister of Barbara Reid (George) and remained close to her brothers and sisters-in-law throughout her life. Her extended family included many nieces and nephews, most of whom kept in regular touch with her.

The eldest of two girls, she was drawn early to the work of the barn and the fields, where she found both purpose and belonging. She was as comfortable driving a team of horses, turning hay with a dump rake, as she was behind the wheel of a tractor. Many hours were spent on her knees in the turnip fields, separating doubles and attending to the steady, necessary barn chores that come with caring for livestock.

When she was 17, her mother, who often took in boarders to earn a little pin money, welcomed Melville Reid into their home, a farm boy eight years her senior who had come to Guelph in hopes of becoming a carpenter. Though he had little experience, he was eager to make good. It was not long before she came to admire his straightforward nature, his integrity, and his steady, hardworking character. They soon fell hopelessly in love and, a year later, were married, beginning an adventure that would see them celebrate their 66th anniversary together.

At 18, she began her married life in a small upstairs flat at 30 London Road, soon welcoming a baby into her arms. With hard work and careful scrimping, she and our father built a modest two-bedroom house at 24 Summit Crescent, where we lived next door to our aunt and uncle throughout the 1950s. Shaped by the frugality of the Depression years, she drew on a simple, enduring recipes from that era. Though means were limited, she managed the household with care and good judgment and gave us a full and happy life, rich in love and contentment, and never lacking in what truly mattered.

Our mother cherished the open fields, as did our father, and in 1961 they moved to Puslinch Township, where she would spend the rest of her days in the home he built for her. There, while our father worked off the farm in the early years, she took charge of the mink ranch, managing it largely on her own. She had a natural gift for organization and hard work, keeping the books, overseeing the operation, and working alongside the small crew in all seasons. At pelting time, she could gather and direct a crew of eighteen women with quiet efficiency. Whether in rubber boots vaccinating the kits or in the kitchen preparing a scrumptious Sunday dinner for company, she was equally at ease. She worked long hours, in cold and heat alike, and continued with that same steady dedication until the age of 80.

In the last 25 years of their lives, my parents enjoyed their Airstream trailer, spending a month each winter in Crystal River, Florida before the busy breeding season began in March. My mother was never hesitant around machinery and was a confident driver, handling the arduous journey herself, guiding the long trailer through major American cities with ease, while our father contentedly took in the passing farm fields. They shared many happy weeks with friends, a well-earned time of rest and companionship.

Our mother, together with our father, was grounded in a shared and abiding Christian faith from which she never wavered. She lived it quietly and faithfully, often expressing it through simple acts of kindness—serving Sunday dinner to company almost weekly, delivering home baking, flowers, or a meal to ailing neighbours or friends without drawing attention to herself. Her faith was steady and unassuming, and she came to the end of her life at peace, content in her relationship with God.

We will miss her wisdom and presence, but it’s hard to see a full load of grain leaving a shorn field without feeling a sense of rejoicing!

A visitation will be held at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:00 am.  To watch the service remotely, please use this link. Burial will follow the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

Condolences and notes can be made online at www.wallcustance.com

A tree will be planted in memory of Leona L. Reid in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest. 

GERNON, Edward Anthony – “Eddie” peacefully passed surrounded by his family, on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, at Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre after a brief illness. Eddie was predeceased by his parents Patrick (“Paddy”) and Elizabeth (“Lily”). He is survived by Avril, his loving wife of 58 years, his children Mark (Jennifer), Kiera (Ian). Loving “Eddie Grandpa” and “Pa” to Mia, Patrick, and Rory. Eddie had many special and long-lasting friendships and will be missed by those who knew him.

Eddie shared his first dance with the love of his life, Avril on January 15, 1964, and they were married on March 20, 1968, in Raheny (Dublin), Ireland. The next day on March 21, 1968, they embarked on a lifelong journey to Canada with less than 80 pounds in their pocket. 

Eddie, eventually worked for J.H. Ryder Machinery, in Etobicoke, as a sales manager, retiring after 38 years. 

A lover of boxing, golf and horse racing, Eddie enjoyed a good match. Not to mention being the water boy for a certain soccer club. 

A grateful thank-you to the staff at Mississauga’s Trillium Health Centre, particularly to the ICU nursing staff and doctors. 

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:00am at Nativity of Our Lord, Roman Catholic Church, 480 Rathburn Road, Etobicoke, ON M9C 3S8. (To watch the funeral mass remotely via Zoom, click here)

In lieu of flowers, consider raising a glass of Guinness – Sláinte Eddie.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Edward (Eddie) A. Gernon in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.