THE LATE W.R. EADY
Renfrew Mercury
April 12, 1926
The late Robert Walker Eady of Renfrew was a man who had a legion of friends and few or no enemies. He was one of the most big-hearted of men, always doing something for others and never looking for anything except friendship in return. Anybody in trouble and going to him could always count upon a sympathetic hearing, together with any help which was in his power to give. Both the deserving and the undeserving have been aided by him, not only morally but materially, the unworthy of course getting counsel along with assistance. In has capability as police magistrate he was always lenient with first offenders, lenient also with those who he believed were not criminals at heart; but for the callous and depraved he had little sympathy, bearing in this respect a close resemblance to his father, the late George Eady, who for many years served as police magistrate in Renfrew after having long officiated as a justice of the peace.
Robert Walker Eady had a judicial mind. He could weigh evidence well. Had he been a lawyer he would have probably shone as such. He was not of those who have their minds made up before the taking of evidence, nor did prejudice of any kind sway his judgment. The O.T.A. he did not regard as the last and best word in the way of temperance legislation, nor was he of those who would bring back conditions prevailing in Ontario before 1916; in his judgment a middle course was preferable; therefore, he sided in his private views, neither with what one section of the population terms “the fanatics”, nor with what; another body of the people calls “the wets” in rendering judgment and passing sentence it seemed always to be his desire that if error should occur it should be on the side of leniency. He made a careful study of laws with which he had to do, and it is not on record that any of his judgments have been appealed or upset. His term of office as police magistrate in Renfrew was short but was all to his credit.
Born in Renfrew, a member of one of the town’s oldest families, the late Mr. Eady spent nearly all his days here, and when not here his home was never anywhere else. His very sudden and somewhat untimely end will occasion deep regret not only in Renfrew, but in the country roundabout, and there will be sorrow felt by a large number of people scattered throughout the continent who once made Renfrew their home.
It seems hard to believe that one who but the other day was going in and out among the people of Renfrew, with a smile for all and a frown for none, a joke for friends and a nod for acquaintances in now gone and when that feeling prevails with friends what must be the feelings in the mind of his wife, his sisters, his nephews and his nieces, his cousins and other connections. To them the sympathies of the community will go out in widest measure as they mourn for one who was always happy in his family relationships, a good citizen and an upright man.
OBITUARY ROBERT WALKER EADY
Renfrew Mercury
April 2nd, 1926
A minute or two before the noon hour on Monday Robert Walker Eady, one of Renfrew’s native sons fell asleep in death. Expressions of regret were heard on all sides; there were also exclamations of astonishment, because many had not known that he was ill. His indisposition was of but a few days’ duration. It started with a cold and complications developed. Except for an attack of sickness a few months ago and the bullet wound he sustained as a preventive officer in New Ontario a number of years since, Mr. Eady had always enjoyed good health. He had a rugged constitution, was fond of outdoor life, and possessed one of the most cheerful of temperaments. After leaving school Robert Walker Eady took a clerkship in one of the town stores, later he opened a shoe store, and after disposing of that spent much of his time at Barryvale. He succeeded the late Matthew Devine as police magistrate in Renfrew. Good service was rendered by him to the community as a member of the committee having to do with Thomsonville cemetery. For several years before becoming police magistrate he was a justice of the peace; he also did conveyancing, and as a man of leisure residing at his summer home Barryvale helped many people in business matters. His advice was sought upon many questions and he enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. And none knew him but to have a high regard for him. His wife and an adopted daughter survive. A daughter predeceased him several years ago.
Sisters are Mrs. Albert Bowden, Mrs. R.D. Scott, and Miss Belle Eady. Mr Eady’s father, the late George Eady Jr., was for many years one of Renfrew’s best known citizens. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from the home on Plaunt street to Thomsonville Cemetery. Attendance at the funeral on Wednesday afternoon was large. Members of the Masonic Order attended in a body, among them being members of lodges in other towns, while among the general public were citizens of different communities in the district. Pall-bearers were Richard Miller, W.A. Mackay, Edward Scott, Cowan Eady, Herbert Smart, and Dr. McKinnon. Services were conducted by Rev. Mr. McCullough of Pembroke and Rev. Canon Quartermaine of Renfrew.