Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Who Was Mrs. Capstick, Pet Cemetery, Part V

I know that I have not written much about Victor Blochin since his wife Anne Elizabeth Blochin, maiden name Wilson, was always on the spotlight. However, Victor Blochin was famous for breeding West Highland White Terrier (Westie) at his Bencruachan Kennels, and while searching around I have seen Victor Blochin Trophy, I legacy he left behind.

Westies In Canada. In Canada the first Westie registered was in 1909. Victor Blochin, Bencruachan Kennels, owned the first group-winning Westie in Canada. He bred from the 1930s to the 1950s and his dogs are found in the background of many Canadian lines.‘, Source: West Heaven Westies.com.

I am sure you are really curious about Mrs. Capstick. The newspaper article below from 1940 says it all.

Toronto Woman, Lover of Animals, Asks Her Own Ashes Strewn In Pet Cemetery

One of Aurora’s unique features came into prominence this week when the will of the late Mrs. Florence Capstick, Glenforest Rd., Toronto, was read, for Mrs. Capstick by testamentary disposition had instructed her executors to scatter her ashes in the grounds of Happy Woodland cemetery, a pet cemetery on Yonge St. south, conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Blochin.

This is probably the first occasion that anything of this nature has ever occurred, according to Mrs. Blochin and certainly it is the first occasion in the history of the pet cemetery.

“Mrs. Capstick was an unusual person, with a tremendous devotion to animals,” she said. “Her kind deeds were known throughout north Toronto, and she taught kindness to dumb animals to little children. She was not a contributor, nor did she have any pets buried here, but she did pay us frequent visits. Many people have expressed a desire to be buried in our cemetery, but, of course, that is not possible by law. Mrs. Capstick’s plan, however, cannot be prohibited. We knew nothing about it, but knowing her character we are content in the matter.

“Mrs. Capstick was a frequent contributor to pet columns and magazines.”

REFERENCE: The Newmarket Era, Thursday, September 12th, 1940; The Aurora Era.

Mrs. Capstick
Aurora Pet Cemetery, 2019-04-10. Photography by Anna Lozyk Romeo

This concludes my research results on the pet cemetery in Aurora. The site is going to be developed in the near future. If we cannot preserve in artifacts, then may be we can preserve in memories via photography. My camera is always ready.

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, ON

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Blog Posts

Anna Lozyk Romeo for Mayor of Aurora, Municipal Elections 2022

To my Living in Aurora blog readers: I am running for Mayor of Aurora.  It is a great opportunity now...

From Shining to Shameful – The Continued Loss of the Oak Ridges Moraine

A picture-perfect vista of soft, rolling hills where wild turkey, deer and coyote once roamed has been reduced to...

North East Quadrant of Wellington St & John West Way Development Appealed

At the February 22nd, 2022 Council meeting, Aurora Council UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) voted to refuse a 6-storey, 150 unit residential...

Important Links

The Knowles Butcher Shop on Fire, June 25th 2021 – Photo Gallery

The so known Knowles Butcher Shop on 9 Wellington Street East is a long-standing building in Aurora, c. 1885....

Church Street School, Construction Site (Photo Gallery)

Photos of Church Street School during the Library Square construction. Photos dated May 22, 2021. Anna Lozyk RomeoAurora, Ontario

Cineplex Odeon – What Year Was This Photo Taken?

Photo of the Cineplex Odeon in Aurora. What year do you think this photo was taken? Your clues are...

Snowflake Path Downtown Aurora, Photo Gallery

Finally, just in time for Christmas snowflake decorations are all working downtown Aurora. ... and this is what we used...

Changes Along Wellington Street, 3-Years Ago & Today

Few changes along Wellington Street. While looking back at some of my old blog posts I came across one from...

Archived

George Street Public School – The Final Chapter

About three years ago on May 23rd 2015 as...

Birding at the Aurora Boardwalk, St. John’s Sideroad, Wildlife Sprung Back

Today birding at the Aurora boardwalk on St. John's...

What Colour Is Your Belt? Ontario Greenbelt

By K. Taylor, Aurora ON.  For reasons that eludes...

Think About It

Leadership is Not About the Next Election

"Leadership is not about the next election, it's about...

You Might Also Like