Lyle Raymond Belway

Lyle Raymond was born September 21, 1935 to John Colborn Belway and the former Ena May McMillan of Dundas County at Johnstown on #2 highway. John and Ena rented a farm there while John worked on Port of Johnstown grain silos. They returned to the Belway farm on Jennings road North of Spruit Road to live in the large Boyd block house, replacement for the frame house burned at the time of the Orange Parade in Winchester. In 1948, the family moved to highway # 43 as Hydro was available. Lyall and Pat Holmes bought that farm on John and Ena’s retirement to the corner of Dawley Drive & Main Street West. Lyle attended Mulloy School, Mountain Consolidated, Winchester High School and Merv Orr’s Trucking School. After graduation, Lyle worked at Brockville Wireworks. He spoke often of working for Hartshorn House Movers during the Seaway Project, especially moving Cook’s Tavern to Upper Canada Village, with muscle power & iron pikes. Subsequently he sprayed herbicide along the HEPC Hydro Towers. With these savings and a Jr. Farmer Loan Lyle bought the Marston & Mabel Shaver farm on Sandy Row in 1964. He started with pigs, hay, feed crops and milked until 1989. February 1974, Lyle married Brenda Wynn, Rachel was born in 1975. Brenda and Rachel left in 1980. Upon selling the milk cows Lyle drove transport to Florida for Duncan Bros. From them he bought Wet Land in Edwardsburg Twp. and finished the log house there. That house was severed and sold eventually. Lyle’s true love of farming never left. He added 2 Belted Galoways to the herd for docility and sturdiness. In 1991 Eileen Webb, a widow from Middlesex County, joined Lyle in his true dream and passion: farming. Lyle expanded the beef herd from the heifers kept after selling the milk cows. The last animal left through Tollgate Farms January 2017. Lyle was going to put in 2 cows to keep the grass down in the spring. Unfortunately, April 30, 2017, Lyle had a stroke. He had neuro surgery at the Civic and returned to WDMH and became a resident of Maxville Manor. Lyle was so lucky to have good friends, neighbours and a nephew to call 911 April 30 and assist with Lyle’s care. Lyle is survived by his spouse since October 1991, daughter Rachel (Matthew Lodge), grandchildren: Gabriele, Hayden and Jasper of Kanata. Lyle was the middle child and only son of John and Ena, survived by Lorna Merkley (Cleon d.)of Clayton, June Knapp (Bernie d.) of Brockville, younger sisters Shirley Hamilton (Ralph d.) of Winchester Springs, Barbara Winters (Keith) of Roebuck, 17 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents John & Ena Belway, ex-wife Brenda, 2000. Lyle will always be remembered in his “new” 2002 5- speed Silverado with Darshan, the red heeler from Williamsburg and Eileen as passengers. Besides living extremely frugally Lyle did buy a new tractor every few years trying to wheel and deal with George, Scott, Bob, Dennis or Brett. Lyle liked to head for Greely on Thursday and later have Eileen pay for Chinese Buffet at country Kitchen. He read 7 weeklies, including Ontario Farmer and the daily Ottawa Citizen. TV favorites were the News, Dragon’s Den, Heart Beat, British Mysteries, CBC and Vet Shows. Meanwhile enjoying a pipe full of Amphora or Colt. To be remembered Lyle spoke with SNCA about donating land to them as good land stewardship.