DEATH OF W.N. FAICHNEY
RENFREW MERCURY
MARCH 14, 1923
The death of one who was at once one of Renfrew’s oldest citizens and oldest men occurred on Friday afternoon, when Mr. W.N. Faichney suddenly breathed his last. Lately his friends had noticed that he had been looking very feeble; but still he had not made any particular complaint. On Friday morning last he had had, as noted elsewhere a pleasant renewal of acquaintance with Mr. Richard Dickson. Then he ate a hearty dinner, and afterwards strolled outdoors. He was gone but a short time, then he returned indoors, and with the remark that he thought his end was near, lay down on the sofa. Dr. Connolly and his friend, Mr. Wm. Mills, were both hurriedly summoned, but before they arrived he had breathed his last. The deceased, as noted, was one of the oldest citizens and while of late years he had lived a peacefully retired life, as a younger man had borne his share of the local activities. He was born at Perth, Ont., the family having come from Perthshire, Scotland. In 1844 he came to the country village which was afterwards to become Renfrew, and in partnership with the late Archibald Thompson, started the first blacksmithing business here, in a stand about where Dean’s store now stands. Later on, as the town and district developed he branched out into storekeeping, lumbering and railway contracting. He also took part in municipal affairs; was Reeve in 1872; and for many years afterwards had charge of corporation work. He was a member of the Masonic and Orange Orders for some 60 years. He was one of those who contributed in the building of the first Presbyterian church here, and it was therefore fitting that his funeral on Monday afternoon should be from the church of that denomination – the first funeral in the new church, to the opening of which, as a faithful attendant he had been looking forward with pleasant anticipation.
In 1860, he was married to Sarah McTavish, who, with two daughters – Mrs. C.G. Hurdman, of Eagle Creek, Saskatoon and Miss Jessie at home – survives to mourn his demise. Two sons had also been born; but the parents had the grief of losing both by drowning; one when the father had the contract for building one of the early bridges over the Bonnechere, and the lad was playing about him, and the other some years afterward, when playing at Smith’s Creek.
The funeral on Monday was with Masonic honors. There was service at the Presbyterian church in which Rev. Bros. Hay, Dr. Campbell and Jamieson took part; Mr. Hay preaching the sermon. At the grave there was also prayer by Mr. Hay, and then the Masonic Service by R.W. Bros. W.M. Dickson and D. Barr Sr.