Springhill lost one of it's finest senior citizens Monday, Feb. 22, 1971 in the passing of Frank Sumara. He was 79 and had been in failing health for the past year.

Mr. Sumara was born in Poland on June 4, 1891, The son of the late Annie and Vencel Sumara. He emigrated to Canada with his family in 1903 and settled in Sydney, Cape Breton, where he received his education and became a miner. On Nov. 8, 1913 in Sydney Mines he took as his bride, the former Ottilie Lazarus, formerly of Poland. They moved to Springhill in 1923 where Mr. Sumara worked in the local mines until his retirement in 1965.

Their union was blessed with six sons: Albert (Espanola, Ont.); John, (Hamilton, Ont.); Charles, (Oxford); Edward, (Dartmouth); Ronald, (Halifax); and Albion, who lost his life while serving his country Overseas. His wife passed away Oct 20, 1940. Besides his five sons, he leaves to mourn his passing one sister, Mrs. Annie Rushton, Oxford, and his beloved grandchildren.

Mr. Sumara was an adherent to the United Baptist Church. He was an ardent member of L.O.L. No. 1611 and was honored by the Order by being made a Life Member.He had an excellent reputation as a workman. At home he found much enjoyment and recreation in his workshop where he fashioned items of furniture, piture frames, garden ornaments, bird houses, etc. He was a prolific reader and enjoyed television, especially in his later years. He was a hospitable person who enjoyed having lots of company, particularly when they brought along musical instruments and the evening was spent in playing and singing. Except for his work and his Lodge, his interests were centered in his home and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was a wonderful neighbor, always doing thoughtful little deeds for all, and cheering everyone with his sunny disposition. He leaves a wide circle of friends who join his devoted family in mourning his passing.

The remains rested at Brown's Funeral House, where many called to pay their last respects. On Wednesday evening L.O.L. 1611 held its memorial service for their late brother. The funeral service was held Thursday, February 25th at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Harr E. Ward officiating. The church choir sang the old familiar hymns "Unto The Hills" and "The Lord's My Shepherd." The pallbearers were from Mount Carmel 294 and L.O.L. 1611. Herbert Spence, Burt Vance, Percy Boxx, Dick Mitchel, Claude Chatfield and Lorne Hunter. Committal was in the Springhill Memorial Receiving Vault with interment to be made in Hillside Cemetary in the spring.

The beautiful floral tributes, memorial donations and cards of sympathy testified to the affection and respect in which Frank Sumara was held by all who knew him. The floral tributes were as follows:

     Pillow -- Family.
     Sprays -- sister Annie; Betty, Fred and Girls; Cedar Temple No. 21, Pythian Sisters; Stewart Fraser; Ann and George Stiven; Roger and Blanche; Hazel and Lawrence; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rushton and Family.
     Crescent -- Mary, Paul, Connie and Children
     Baskets -- Doll, Jerry, Cathy and Lynn; Freda and Doug Corkum; Marge, Fred, Vonda and Shawna; Dept. 150 and 151, Simpson Sears; Quality Control, Halifax Dept.
     Stars -- Joan and Paul; Betty and Gerald, Helen and Curtis, Ralston and Gay.
     Cross -- Vi.
     Basket -- Eleanor and Albert, Marianne and Gerald.
     Crescents -- Mr. and Mrs. Clyde McDonald; Frank and Muriel McCabe.
     Containers -- Doris, John and Jeff; David, Wanda and Cathy; John, Georgie and Bob; Noreen, Barb and Jo-Anne; Lena, Ernie Munroe and Family.
     Urns of Roses -- Mrs. George Strong; Grace, Purdy and Bea; Hal and Katrina, Elizabeth and James.
     Wreaths -- Steam Plant Employees, Espanola, Ont.; Oxford Foundry and Machine Co.
     Home attending the funeral were his son Albert and wife Eleanor of Espanola, Ont.; his son Edward and wife Florence, Dartmouth; son Ronald, Halifax; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Finley and daughter Joanne, Oromocto, N.B. His son John, Hamilton, Ont., was unable to attend due to illness.

If you are in the Springhill area, here is a diagram indicating the location of Frank Sumara's burial plot, located on the hillside cemetary.