CLUTCHEY AND CASSIE STEELE CLUTCHEY AND CASSIE STEELEDavid I son of Joseph Clutchey and Mary Jane Gerow was born Oct.22 1886 on the old Clutchey farm in Brechin, Ontario. Physically he was a small child, but very active and feisty. He and his younger brother Lou were said to have raised some hell when they had one another for protection. David was one of the few members of the family who did not farm for a living. At the age of 18 he was in Toronto working for McDonald and Wilson as an apprentice electrician. This suggests that he must have had a reasonable amount of education in the primary schools in Orillia in order to be accepted as an apprentice. David was a very quiet and unassuming person, not given to discussing his personal thoughts or background. Indeed his two sons were not even aware that he was a catholic until he became ill and the priest was called to give him 'the last rites'. By nature he was a firm but loving father. He left most of the upbringing of the five Clutchey children to his wife Cassie .
 | Cassie Steele Clutchey and David Clutchey Sr. ( Circa 1936) |
In 1910 he was sent by his company to Haileybury, Ontario where he boarded with the Steele family who had a 'hotel cum guest house'. There he met the fifteen year old daughter of his landlord. Her name was Cassie. Romance blossomed but not with the blessing of Cassie's parents. David was Catholic and Cassie was Protestant. The romance was furtive and furious, but not futile. The couple often met at the home of Cassie's older married sister Sadie. One day while they were visiting Sadie, Cassie's father Henry came bursting into the house looking for 'that little dago'. Davie, as he was known, was hiding in the closet. Another time he was almost caught but escaped through a bedroom window.
Cassie Steele and Davie Clutchey were married Friday December 8th, at 6'oclock p.m. in Haileybury Ontario. Davie was 26 and Cassie was 16. The reception was tendered by Mr. and Mrs. George Cox (Sadie and her husband George) and there is no record to indicate whether or not the bride's parents attended either the wedding or the reception.
The family went through some tumultuous years in Haileybury not the least of which was the forest fire that decimated the city and burned down Davie's new electrical business. The bush fire had been burning for several days in the vicinity of Haileybury but early one morning it was seen to be getting closer to the community and was burning out of control. Mattie, the Clutchey's eldest daughter, was at school. Davie left Cassie and the two youngest children at the time, Marie and Margaret and went to get Mattie at the school. The two parents and three girls finally got together and got the last trolley out of Haileybury before the fire burned the community to the ground, including Davie's new shop.
After the fire Davie and Cassie rebuilt the shop (it still stands in Haileybury), but the fire ruined the community's economy and the family decided to move to Timmins, Ontario, where their remaining two children were born.
 | DAVID CLUTCHEY SR.: He was a delightful man, generous to a fault, a loving father and husband. He lived for his family and was supportive in all of their endeavours, and proud of their achievements. Born on the old Clutchey farm in Brechin Ontario in 1886 he died October 7 1957 from emphysema. He built the Clutchey home seen in the background, in Timmins Ontario, with the aid of friends |
Davie liked a drink once in a while but Cassie, who many thought was the head of the temperance society, was dead against it. If Davie was ten minutes late coming home from work Cassie would be at the window looking for him. One unforgettable Xmas Eve it happened, Davie stopped in for a pint after buying the kids Christmas presents, and after having one too many, he came home without the presents.
Davie was a loveable and loving husband and father. Everyone would give him a kiss on his bald head as they passed him as he sat in his rocking chair. Unfortunately he was also a heavy smoker and it cost him his life. He died from emphysema on August 7th 1957.
Cassie lived to the ripe old age of 95. She died in Fergus Ontario In May 1990 and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery in Guelph, Ontario. On her tombstone the words "always loved" tell her story.
(b. 1912 d. 1997? )
Mattie was the eldest in the family. She was born in Haileybury on August 28th. As a youth she was an outstanding athlete both as a softball player and a swimmer. She became a registered nurse graduating from St. Mary's hospital in Timmins..
Mattie not only was a an excellent student she was also a remarkable public speaker. Witness this exerpt from a copy of the Timmins Daily Press regarding the 1934 Nurses Graduating Class of St. Mary's Hospital.
The writer states " The 'Class Prophecy' by Miss Mattie Clutchey was one of the cleverest numbers on the talented programme of the evening. Miss Clutchey with humour, sympathy and insight sketched the probable careers of the graduates in years to come."
During the war she married Wm. Ball who was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The family lived in Kirkland Lake all of their lives and both Mattie and her husband died and are buried in Kirkland Lake. Their three children are: William David ( b. 1943 ). Bill Jr. like his mother was an outstanding athlete. He played football for the University of Western Ontario, and hockey for the University of Waterloo while doing post degree work at the latter school. He married, and later divorced Linda Patience. They had one son Derek. Billy is a retired high school teacher and still lives in Kirkland Lake when he is not in Cuba. Margaret Jean ( b. 1944 )Margie married and later divorced Richard Davies. She, like her mother, became a registered nurse. The two children of Margie and Richard are: William (Willy) a mining engineer, and Marnie who graduated from the University of Guelph in Hotel Management. Patricia Helen Estelle (b. 1947) Pat was an outstanding student and graduated from the University of Toronto in physiotherapy. Her career has taken her to South Africa and Western Canada. She presently lives and practices in North Bay Ontario. Pat has remained single.
(b. 1915-d. 1916)
Winnifred died at the age of six months.
(b. 1917)
Marie is probably the best known of all of the Timmins' Clutchey children. Popularly known as 'Auntie Gump' she weighed less than a pound at birth and spent most of her early days struggling to live. Her struggles paid off and she has been the most happy go lucky of persons. It is to her home that all visitors flock and all are made welcome. Her early working days were with the Northern Telephone Company in Timmins where she became 'chief operator'. Her first marriage was to a Butch Beauchamp but did not last long. The real love of her life was a gentleman farmer Harry Eyres (b. 1921 d. 1983). Marie lived in Cameron Ontario on the 'farm', after Harry's death until the fall of 2001 when she moved to Waterloo, Ontario to be near her brothers Bud and David. She has her own apartment in the same building as brother Bud who is very caring of his sister. Marie still travels extensively to Europe and the Caribbean even in her mid eighties. Marie and Harry did not have any children.
(b. 1919)
Margaret was also born in Haileybury. When the family moved to Timmins, Margaret completed her high school education and followed her sister Mattie to St. Mary's hospital in Timmins where she ,too, became a registered nurse. Her marriage to Tom Moore took place while Tom was still serving in The Royal Canadian Air Force during WW2. Tom unfortunately died in 1976 and Margaret moved from their home in Schumacher Ontario to North Bay to be closer to her son Tom Jr. In recent years she has wintered in Port St. Lucie Florida, where golf and swimming keep her in good condition.
Thomas David (b. 1943). Tommy graduated from Laurentian University in Sudbury Ont. where he played Varsity football and obtained a degree in geography. His teaching career was spent almost entirely in North Bay's secondary schools from which he recently retired. Tommy was an outstanding Highs School Volleyball coach. His teams won numerous Northern Ontario and All Ontario championships. Many of his players went on to play University and International volleyball. He married Margaret Bowen who taught at Northern College in North Bay and who also recently retired. Tom and Marg had three children, Robert David (b. 1969), Thomas James (b.1971) and Jeffrey (b1973-d.1983). Robert graduated in computer science from the University of Waterloo and Jamie graduated from Trent University in Environmental Science. Both boys are married. Peter James (b. 1948) Pete also graduated from Laurentian University and later completed his Masters degree in Political Science from Carleton University in Ottawa. He is employed in the Ministry of Finance in the Alberta Government. Peter married Judy Carss. Their three children are, Mathew (b. 1986), Andrea (b. 1988) and Gregory (b. 1990). The family lives in Edmonton , Alberta.Susan Margaret (b. 1950) Susan also is a graduate of Laurentian University obtaining a B.Sc.N in nursing. She works in the Ottawa Civic hospital. Susan married and later divorced Orville Adams. Their son Joshua James (b. 1978) is a student at the University of Guelph majoring in International Affairs. He is also a football player with the Guelph Gryphons.Elizabeth(b. 1953). Elizabeth is single . She has one child a daughter, Shannon Margaret, presently a student at the University of Ottawa. Elizabeth lives in Ottawa but travels extensively as the Administrator for the National Dental Examing Board. John Robert (b. 1956) Johnnie, like his grandfather, is a journeyman electrician. He works in Northern Alberta. His work has also taken him to Northern BC., and the Arctic. John is divorced and has a daughter Melissa (b.1983).
. 
(b. 1928)
Known to family and friends as 'Sonny', he was born July 11, in Timmins, Ontario. After graduating fron the Timmins High and Vocational Institute where he played hockey and football, he went to the University of Western Ontario graduating in 1954 in Honours Physical Health and Recreation Education, ( now known as the Faculty of Kinesiology). While at Western, Dave competed all four years on the varsity wrestling team, being undefeated in his final year. In the spring of 1954 he competed in the Canadian National Wrestling Championships winning the Gold medal in his weight class and also a place on the Canadian team at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver BC. In the fall of 1954 while attending the College of Education in Toronto Dave met and later married Elizabeth Dawson Breen also a Timmins girl. Beth and Dave had two children David and Dana Louise. Davey (b. 1956 ) was born in Trenton Ontario. He, too, was an outstanding athlete but in swimming not wrestling. He was several times All Ontario High School champion and competed in the Canadian National Swimming championships at the age of 14. Later, while at the University of Western Ontario, he won numerous medals while swimming for their Varsity team. Dana, too, was an Ontario High School champion in the Butterfly. After completing school Davey met and married Lynda Holzer of Columbus Ohio, they began a business first in Cleveland Ohio and later expanding to Columbus, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The couple have one daughter Jessica and they live in the community of Powell a suburb of Columbus Ohio. At the present time Davey and Lynda are undergoing divorce proceedings. Dana was born in Oshawa, Ontario., but grew up mostly in Guelph. She began her higher education at the University of Guelph, but university life did not appeal to her and she enrolled at Sheridan College graduating with a diploma in Travel and Tourism. While still in High School she met and later married Larry Fatt. Larry graduated from Centennial College in Fluid Hydraulics. Larry and Dana have three children, Marissa Danielle, ( b. 1986), Sara Elizabeth, (b. 1988), and Craig Kenneth David , (b.1993). The family presently live in Anderson , South Carolina where Larry is the manager of large manufacturing plant for the Dowty Group of Industries.
| DAVID and CASSIE CIRCA 1939 Timmins. Children are: Top left, Gumpy; Top right, Mattie; Bottom left David Jr (Sonny); Bottom right. Bud; | DAVID Jr. ( Sonny ) wife Beth and children Davey and Dana. Trinidad 1967 | Photo Right: DAVID Jr with daughter Dana, and Grand children Marissa, left, Sara, right, and Craig, center, Belwood Lake 1998 |
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The Clutchey's of Guelph have been a traveling family. It all began when Dave accepted an appointment by the then Canadian Department of External Affairs as an 'educational advisor' to the government of Trinidad and Tobago in 1965. While in Trinidad Davey and Dana swam for the Trinidad National Age Group team visiting Venezuela and Barbados for swim meets. During the months of June through August in 1966 the children flew home to Canada to stay with 'grandma Cassie' in Timmins, while the parents headed to South America to pursue field studies. Dave had completed his specialist in geography and Beth was doing undergraduate work in geography as well. Urban geography was Beth's special field of interest hence special attention was paid to the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Sao Paulo, in Brazil, and Asuncion Paraguay, Lima Peru, and Bogota Columbia.
Upon returning to Canada Dave accepted a position as head of the geography dept at Centennial in Guelph and completed his MSc. degree fron the University of Guelph. Beth, too, completed her geography degree at the University, and began to teach at the Guelph Collegiate. In 1968 Dave went to Somalia, East Africa and taught at the University of Mogadishu for a summer session, stopping in Nairobi, Kenya, the Serengeti in Tanzania, Addis Abbaba Ethiopia, and Athens Greece on his way home. While teaching, their travels continued, as they took students to Europe, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and to all parts of Canada on geographic field trips studying Geomorphology, Urban Geography and Cultural Landscapes. They also spent several weeks in China where they compiled a set of videos on the population and culture, transportation, and way of life of the Chinese people for use in their county's school system.
They also entered the business world starting a very successful Travel Agency in Guelph. This enabled them to travel to numerous tourist destinations popular with Canadian tourists for the purposes of advising their clients of appropriate destinations when choosing a vacation.
Writing the history of their families has taken much of their recent efforts of Beth and Dave, and enriched their lives through study trips to France visiting Mortagne au Perche, the village from which the Clutchey ancestors came. Tourouvre, La Rochelle, La Fleche and other historical points of interest from which so many pioneers from France came to colonize Canada, also have been the focus of some of their interest and writing.
In 1989, Dave Jr retired, followed a year later by Beth. They now live in Naples, Florida, in the winter and travel between their Condominium in Waterloo, Ontario and their summer cottage on Lake Belwood near Fergus, Ontario in the summer. Golf and sailing for Beth and golf, sailing and tennis for Dave, take up most of their leisure time, with genealogy and grandchildren adding the spice to their lives.
LATEST : Dave and Beth sold their cottage on Lake Belwood in August 2001. They now spend their summer in Waterloo or traveling. Their recent rips have taken them to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Russia , Korea and a return trip to China.
(b. 1930)
The youngest child in the family of Davie Clutchey Sr. and Cassie Steele, Bud was born in Timmins. He was an excellent athlete. He could play almost any sport and was good at all of them. After graduation from high school he opted to go with the Ontario Hydo as an 'operator in training'. He stayed with the Hydro all his working life eventually taking charge of power plants throughout Northern Ontario. This allowed him the opportunity to hunt , fish, ski and otherwise utilize the amenities of the northern wilderness areas. He met and married Patricia Major but the marriage ended in divorce. However three children were the product of the marriage. Later Bud married Joan Stone. That marriage, too, ended in divorce, but there were no children. At present Bud has been retired for over ten years and spends his winters in Dunedin Florida, returning to Ontario periodically to ski, In summer he lives close to his brother Dave in Waterloo, where the two brothers play tennis together, when they are not fighting. Bud is an avid golfer and has a handicap of about 10, (when he doesn't count all of his strokes). Bud has hiked the Chilcoot trail with his daughter Corrie Ann and continues to ski the 'black diamond hills' of the Rockies, and any place else where there is a challenge. He is still, at 70, a remarkable athlete.
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