Community out to help Egan Funeral Home mark 100 years

May 16, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
There was a happy and nostalgic mood in Egan Funeral Home in Bolton Saturday.
The facility on the south hill of the village has completed a significant expansion, and it was also seen as a good time to mark 100 years of service to the community.
The story dates to 1913, when William R. Egan, his wife, two daughters and son Bill moved to Bolton and bought the carriage business as well as the funeral operation. Bill and his brother Harold took over the business in 1932 upon the death of their father. In those days, the funeral home was on King Street in the valley (roughly where the Royal Courtyards are today), before the move to its current location in 1957.
Paul Egan, Bill’s son, runs the funeral home today, and the fourth generation is now active in it.
It is much of that spirit that was being celebrated Saturday.
“This is really a family and community event,” remarked Murray Stewart, who was MC at the formal ceremony.
Stewart was among those who marvelled at the results of the renovation and expansion, calling it “very luxurious indeed.”
The ceremony was held in the chapel of the home, and Stewart observed it is often the scene of solemn ceremonies.
“Let’s deal with joy and laughter pulling on hearts together,” he urged.
Stewart also reflected on the history the occasion represented, observing that 1913 saw storms on the Great Lakes that claimed 19 ships and 250 lives. It was also the year Henry Ford started using the assembly line, which started leading to the end of carriage works. Mr. Egan saw that coming, and changed the carriage works to a hardware store.
He also said the population of Bolton in those days, based on the 1911 census, was 707.
Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones observed the chapel was full Saturday, a sign of how dear the Egans are to the community. The fact that the family has been able to work together for so many years was something to marvel at too. Jones said she has six brothers. “I would never work with my brothers,” she said.
Mayor Marolyn Morrison said the Egans have long been “the back bone of the community,” adding she’s always been amazed at the compassion and help they show people at times of need.
She thanked the Egans “for being such an important, integral part of the community.”
There were also tributes read on behalf of Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson and former premier Bill Davis, as well as certificates presented to from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov-Gen David Johnston.
Egan said he was “deeply touched,” as he acknowledged the good wishes of the day, agreeing it was a time to reflect on a rich history.
“Each member of our family has contributed to our success as a firm,” he observed.
“Our town has been blessed to have the Egan family here for 100 years.” Stewart concluded.

Paul Egan was flanked by his family, including his sister Deborah Brook and her husband Hal (left) daughters Elaine and Heather, wife Lynne, sister Lois Madill, daughter Kim and her husband Alan Heppell at Saturday’s celebration.