Obituaries & Condolences

TRAXLER… Margaret Lily

Margaret Lily Traxler passed away peacefully at the age of 101, Friday, August 7″, 2026 at Victoria Hospital in London. Reunited with her husband Clifton George Traxler (1987). Loving mother of Peggy Ann and Elizabeth. Predeceased by her children, John, Barry and Peter. Cherished grandmother of Donald and Dustin. Special great grandmother to Ethan, Grayson, Madisyn and Jayson. Predeceased by her sister Joan Fritzges.

Margaret was born in England, where she met her husband Clifton during the war. Soon after they married, they moved to Canada, living in Petrolia and later London, Ontario. Margaret was an avid gardener and had a beautiful English garden. Margaret loved her card games including Yahtzee, Euchre, and Hand and Foot. In her younger years Margaret tenderly raised many Scotties. Through this hobby she was able to take her children to visit her homeland of England. She loved her dogs Trouble and Willow. Margaret was incredibly strong willed and her witty sense of humor will be missed.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will follow at a later date. Donations in Margaret’s memory may be made to Humane Society London and Middlesex.

Barbara Lawlor (Boniface)…..

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Barbara Lawlor (née Boniface) in London ON, on Sunday July 26 2026 at the age of 88.

Barbara was born and raised in Toronto, ON. where she had cherished relationships with her siblings and cousins. As a teenager, she began a lengthy and fulfilling career at Bell Canada. Barbara was a full time working Mum with a wide variety of interests including curling, dancing, drawing, puzzles and reading. In the early 1980s, she moved to London, ON. (with Bell Canada) where she began a new chapter of independent life and purchased her treasured “porch with a house attached”. In her later years, Barbara loved sitting on her front porch, reading, doing cross words and chatting with neighbours both young and old.

Barbara was a supportive confidante to many friends and family all of whom appreciated her kind listening ear, her laughter and her wisdom. She exuded a quiet elegance which she maintained along with her sense of humour.

Barbara will be deeply missed by her beloved daughter Brenda Lawlor-MacDonald, son in-law Lloyd, grandchildren Breanna (Joshua) and Dylan, great grandchildren Lillian, Dasen, Aenghus and Mary-Frances as well as by her siblings, nieces and nephews, neighbours and dear friends (you know who you are).

As per Barbara’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate Barbara’s life at Creative Nomad Studios 23 Mississaga St. W (upstairs), Orillia ON. on Sunday October 4, 2026 from 1-4p.m. with words of remembrance at 2:00 p.m..

We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff of London Health Sciences Centre, especially the Palliative Care Team that ensured Barbara’s peaceful passing.

Memorial Donations can be made to Ronald MacDonald House or The Hospital for Sick Kids in Toronto.

McCONNELL, Victoria Ann…

1951 – 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Victoria Ann McConnell on July 22, 2026, at the age of 75, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Victoria was known for her contagious laugh, kind heart, and love of family. She enjoyed music, dancing, road trips, cooking, long walks, and watching sunrises and sunsets. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her and will be deeply missed.

She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Doug McConnell; her daughters, Jamie Speirs and Robyn Speirs; her stepchildren, Katie McConnell and Paul McConnell; and her beloved grandson, Taleeb Speirs.

Victoria’s love, strength, and beautiful spirit will remain in our hearts forever.

ORR, William G…

1943 – 2026

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And let there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea.

Bill embarked on his final voyage on July 30, 2026 with Gwen his favorite travel companion by his side.  Bill was a world traveler, a tennis player, a bridge player and a dedicated volunteer for many worthy causes.  His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start a successful company in 1981.

Bill was a loving father to Alison and Nathan and a Papa who cherished his grandchildren Seraphina, Billy and Lauryn.

Bill married his high-school sweetheart, Gwen, and together they had 59 years of amazing adventures.

After his diagnosis, Bill took part in an extensive Alzheimer’s research study.  He wished to do whatever he could to help find the cause and cure for this terrible disease.

We want to recognize the care, compassion and tremendous support from Dr. Michael Borrie and Charlene from the ADNI research program at Parkwood.

Special thanks to our McCormick family who made sure that Bill was happy, well cared for and loved every day for 3 years.  We are so grateful for the exceptional love and emotional support they provided to both of us during Bill’s last week.

Bill has donated his brain for research and cremation has taken place.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 2-4 pm at Greenhill’s Country Club, 4838 Colonel Talbot Rd, London, ON N6P 1H7

Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research at Parkwood Institute through the website “sjhcfoundation.ca” or by calling the foundation office at 519-646-6085 or to McCormick Home through their website “mccormickcaregroup.ca”

STRUPAT, John…

John Strupat, 73, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026 in London, ON after a long fight with brain cancer. Born on June 27, 1953 to Ron and Jean Strupat in London, ON, John’s life was full of love, laughter, music and motorcycles.

He leaves behind his wife, Leslie; their children, Christine (Nicholas) and Nick (Feaven); Grampy to his cherished granddaughter, Sophia, and siblings Doug (Nancy), and Dave, along with many family members and dear friends who will forever hold him in their hearts.

John graduated from UWO and Fanshawe College and started his career as a Respiratory Therapist briefly and then research and BME at University Hospital. Later in his career, he shifted to designing and developing medical equipment. During the Covid pandemic, his simple ventilator design was made open source to ensure as many lives could be saved as possible.

John was a man of many talents and passions. Music was important to him and he could often be found jamming on his guitar, listening to blues, motown and reggae. He loved going on motorcycle rides and road trips to both coast with friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to the St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, an organization that the family holds close to hearts: https://www.sjhospicelondon.com/

MCKENZIE, Michael…

Michael Kenneth Mckenzie passed away unexpectedly at the age of 75, Sunday, July 26, 2026 at Victoria Hospital, London. Loving husband of 47 years to Karen. Cherished father of Matthew. Mike will be missed by his siblings Nancy, Paul, David, and Marty. Predeceased by his brother Mark. Survived by his brother-in-law Brian Fones (Lisa) and several nieces and nephews. Mike will be affectionately remembered by many close life-long friends.

Mike had a great sense of humour and knew how to light up any room. Mike was a true family man and a stellar cook. Mike was renowned for his “White Dog Chilli”, a dish that his friends and family will remember fondly.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will follow at a later date.  Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

CORMIER, Scott…

It is with heavy hearts the family of Ralph “Scott” Cormier announces he peacefully passed away on July 21, 2026, at the age of 61.

He will be affectionately remembered and cherished by those who knew him well. Loving husband and lifelong friend of Mary Cormier. Loving and proud father of Andrea Cormier. Beloved son of Jean Cormier and the late Ralph Cormier, and brother of Judy Woodward (Dan) and John Cormier (Cheryl). Scott will also be dearly missed by his nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Scott was an easygoing, laid-back, kindhearted guy, willing to help.

The love for the open roads, and long-haul trucking on the highways throughout North America was his passion. He traveled everywhere from east to west and everything in between, from the prairies, the mountains, to the big cities. Always chatting with other truckers, whether about the daily news or sports, he always managed to have a say. When it came to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was a diehard fan to the end, reciting games, stats, trades, and playoffs. He also gave his support to the Blue Jays and Raptors.

The world of Wrestling was also a passion of his, and he even managed to get his daughter to enjoy a few good events, watching wrestling matches together. Although he never wanted to fly on a plane, Andrea managed to get him on a helicopter one summer.

A favorite pastime of his was enjoying a good ride, whether it was in a vintage car or on his Harley.

Scott’s family wishes a heartfelt thank you to all the physicians, nurses, PSWs, and dietary staff (nightly turkey on white sandwiches) on the Palliative Care team at Parkwood Hospital in London. The support, and compassion everyone showed every day for the last 4 months really meant a lot.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Scott’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 936 Jalna Boulevard in London.

Donations in Scott’s memory may be made to the Canadian Lung Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

O’GRADY, Dr. Caroline…

It is with profound sadness and immense love that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved sister, Dr. Caroline Patricia O’Grady, who passed away on July 22, 2026 at the age of 65.

Caroline was born in Woodstock, Ontario, on February 24, 1961, the middle daughter of Alan and Denise O’Grady. A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity and passion for knowledge, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Toronto before achieving the pinnacle of her academic journey with a Doctorate in Nursing from the University of Toronto in 2004.

Throughout her distinguished career, Caroline dedicated herself to advancing nursing practice, research, and education. She worked as an Advanced Practice Nurse Researcher at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where she was privileged to work alongside her mentor and dear friend, Wayne Skinner. She later served as a Professor in the School of Nursing at York University in Toronto. Caroline was widely respected for her contributions to the field of Concurrent Disorders and for her published research, which helped improve understanding and care for individuals facing complex mental health and addiction challenges. Her commitment to evidence-based practice, education, and compassionate care left a lasting impact on colleagues, students, and countless individuals whose lives were touched by her work.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Caroline embraced life’s simple pleasures. She was an avid reader of mystery novels, loved a spirited game of Euchre, and never missed an opportunity to enjoy a good scary movie. Above all, Caroline adored her dogs, who brought her immeasurable joy and companionship.

Caroline will be lovingly remembered by her sisters, Catherine of Woodstock, Ontario, and Colleen (Aldon) of Port Stanley, Ontario. She is also survived by friends whose lives were enriched by her kindness, compassion, empathy, and unwavering goodness.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Caroline’s friends at Meadow Park Nursing Home in London, especially Julie N, for the joy and laughter they brought to Caroline’s life; to her devoted friends, Betty and Barc Clifford, for their enduring friendship and support; and to the nurses and physicians at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, for their compassionate care.

A drop in Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 510 Norwich Avenue, Woodstock.

Though she is no longer with us, Caroline’s intelligence, generosity, humour, and loving spirit will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

SIESWERDA, William “Bill”…

It is with profound sadness that the family of William “Bill” Sieswerda announces his peaceful passing on July 16, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by the love of his family, leaving behind a legacy of service, kindness, and connection that will continue for generations.

Bill was born on March 13, 1949 in Geleen, Limburg, the Netherlands. He later made Canada his home, where he built a life devoted to serving others, raising a family, and forming lasting friendships. Those who knew him best remember a man of quiet strength, unwavering kindness, and genuine contentment. He possessed a gentle sense of humour that never came at another person’s expense and had a remarkable ability to make those around him feel welcome, respected, and valued.

Bill dedicated more than four decades of his working life to public service. He proudly served as a Police Officer with the Edmonton Police Service from March 1970 to June 1985 (Badge #585). He later worked as a Police Dispatcher with the University of Western Ontario Campus Police, a Fares and By-law Enforcement Agent with Edmonton Transit Service, and concluded his career as a Customer Service and Security Officer with Cadillac Fairview at Masonville Place in London, Ontario, where he became a familiar and trusted presence before retiring in 2014.

Retirement allowed Bill to devote himself to what became one of the defining passions of his life: genealogy. For more than twenty years, he dedicated countless hours to researching and preserving the history of the Sieswerda, Sijswerda, and Syswerda families. What began as a modest family website grew into an extensive worldwide genealogical record that reconnected relatives across continents and generations.

To Bill, genealogy was never simply about tracing names and dates. It was about people. He believed that understanding where we came from strengthened the bonds we share today. Through his curiosity, patience, and generosity, he introduced distant cousins who otherwise may never have known one another and inspired many to discover their own family histories. To countless relatives around the world, he became the keeper of the family’s story, ensuring that its history would be preserved for generations yet to come.

Above all else, Bill was a devoted father and Opa. His family was his greatest source of happiness, and nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than seeing them together. He found contentment in life’s simple pleasures: camping, spending time outdoors, listening to his favourite Beatles song, Let It Be, and sharing time with the people he loved. His kindness was genuine and freely given, and he left every person he met feeling a little more welcome than before.

Bill is lovingly remembered by his sons James, Justin (Sara-Lynn), and Jesse, together with Michael and their families; his cherished grandchildren Alexis, Jillian, Vincent, Emma, Claire, Charlotte, Josh, and Jayce; his extended family throughout Canada, the Netherlands, and around the world; and the many friends and relatives whose lives were enriched by his friendship and his dedication to preserving their shared history.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, caregivers, family members, and friends whose compassion, kindness, and exceptional care brought comfort to Bill throughout his illness.

In honour of Bill’s lifelong commitment to preserving family history, the family warmly invites those whose lives he touched to share their memories, stories, and photographs. By sharing those memories, we can continue the work that meant so much to him: preserving the stories of those we love so they will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society through Bill’s Memorial Fundraising Page with the Canadian Cancer Society.

Forever loved. Forever remembered.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com

STROMME, Paul…

With heavy hearts the family of Paul Stromme announce his passing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at the age of 65. Predeceased by his parents Allan (1991) and Caroline (2016) Stromme. Loving brother “Duda” of Doug Stromme (Kelly) and Caroline Giura (Mike). Proud uncle of Michael, Tyler (Joanna), Ryan (Olivia) and Chris. Dear friend of Mary Ann Thorsen. Paul will also be greatly missed by many lifelong friends. Paul will always be remembered as a fun-loving, light-hearted man who brought laughter and smiles wherever he went. A true sports enthusiast, he loved both playing and watching the games he was passionate about, especially hockey and baseball. While he faithfully cheered for the Toronto Blue Jays, his heart truly belonged to the Chicago Blackhawks. He was also a lifelong admirer of legendary Blackhawks goaltender Tony Esposito, whose remarkable career left a lasting impression on him. To everyone who knew and loved Paul, may we raise a glass in his honour, and another to the Chicago Blackhawks, as we cheer them on through the next season, knowing Paul will be with us in spirit. Paul’s family wishes to extend a warm thank you to his final care team, Dr. Hamilton, Dr. Stack, Nurse Cordelia and the many PSW’s. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to Saint Elizabeth Foundation. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com