Postcard Memories is a series of historic views, stories and photos of Bradford West Gwillimbury, a trip down memory lane on a Saturday morning.
It was January 23, 1940, when the bodies of bakery owner, Frank Stephenson, 33, and his wife Helena, 32, were found dead in their home above the Bradford Bakery, by their five-year-old daughter.
The couple had died by bullet shots fired from a single rifle fired by Frank, which left friends and family in complete shock. The pair had been well known in the community and the night prior the couple had even been skating at the local community rink together.
The couple left behind two daughters, Joan, 5, and Marilyn, nine-months-old.
It was Joan who was awakened on the Sunday morning by 'three loud bangs' and ran to her parents bedroom where she found her father lying on the ground. She immediately ran next door to tell the neigbour what she saw.
When the police arrived, they confirmed both parents were dead. Mrs. Stephenson in the bed in her night attire, and Frank on the floor, fully dressed and wearing slippers with the rifle underneath him. Two bullets had been fired to Mrs. Stephenson's head while she was sleeping, afterwhich Frank turned the gun on himself while sitting on the bed and knocking himself to the floor.
The gun used was one that Mr. Stephenson had used when he went on hunting trips.
The couple had been married for 14 years and came from Unionville in 1926. Mr. Stephenson rode a truck for his father-in-law's bakery, and later went into business together.
Friends had no explanation for the tragic event, noting the couple were happy during their years in Bradford. Business was good and everyone was getting along just fine.
The couple had been active in the commuity. Frank was a bowler and played softball for a Bradford team. Mrs. Stephenson was an avid curler and years prior had played for a championship Barrie team.
The motive for the murder left police, family and friends baffled and to this day remains a mystery.
