WOOD, William MacConnell 'Bill' - On March 4, 2021, William MacConnell (Bill) Wood passed away at the age of 98 after a brief illness.
He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Victoria (Demings) in 2000, by sons Robert William in 1983 and Alan Neil in 2011, and by his brother Donald in 1988.
Bill, also known as Grampy and Great Grampy (GG), will be sadly missed by grandchildren David, Jessica, Isaac, Nadia, Chris, Jason, John, Adam, Rebecca, Sean, Alicia and Katie, by great-grandchildren Rylan, Gavin, Noah, Abby, Ashleigh, Jack, Charlotte, Airlie and Ellie, and by his daughters-in-law Linda Metcalfe, Nadine Deacon, Leonie Wood, Leanne Wood and “Annabelle” Wood.
Bill was well known and well loved by his late brother Leo's extended family in the Yukon: Kathy, Janet, Sandy, Karen and Marilyn and by their husbands, children and grandchildren; and, by his many “in-law” relatives from the Maritimes: Jean, Gerry, Alan, Doreen, Tena and Diane. Quite a family.
Bill lived a remarkable 98 years and lived them remarkably well. Born in Oxford, Nova Scotia in 1923, he moved his young family to London, Ontario in 1950 and later to Toronto in 1960. He spent much of his career working in the manufacturing sector as a Project Engineer and worked for companies including Supreme Aluminum, Philips, Kawneer and General Motors. He retired once, was lured back to work and finally retired in 1987.
Bill was a very capable man. He lived independently in his home until 95, then made many new friends in a retirement residence during his last 3 years. He also met the second love of his life, Lucie Frank. He and Lucie spent a dozen very happy years together, even travelling to Lucie’s home in Germany twice.
He was a proud Maritimer, fiddle, accordion, piano and harmonica player, fixer of things, a church elder, a lawn bowler, traveller, scotch drinker, a kind and generous father and a friend to many. His joys included playing music, hunting, a good joke, dancing, flannel shirts, butter pecan ice cream and most of all, being a grandfather.
He had a well-developed sense of humour and was fond of saying a number of aphorisms. His favourites included: “Everything in moderation, including moderation”; and, “I want to live until I die." We can agree he certainly fulfilled the second one.
A private ceremony will be held March 10th. Arrangements entrusted with Ogden funeral home. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date when conditions permit.
Those who desire to make donations in memory of Bill, please consider: The Scarborough Health Network Palliative Care Program.
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