DEWAN, Fr. Wilfrid “Bill” Dewan - With sadness, we announce that Paulist Fr. Wilfrid “Bill” Dewan passed into eternal life on September 22, 2019, in Toronto, Canada at the age of 92.
He was preceded in death by his siblings John, David, and Helen Knollmeyer, and is survived by his sisters Marie Dunn, Patricia Wilson, and Margaret Spence.
Fr. Bill was born on October 6, 1926, in Woodstock, Ontario, to Patrick Michael and Margaret Olive (Tierney) Dewan. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Saint Michael’s College at the University of Toronto, he was ordained by Bishop Fulton Sheen at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York City on May 1, 1953. He went on to obtain a Licentiate of Theology at Catholic University, Washington, D.C., followed by a Doctorate of Theology at Louvain University, Belgium.
Devoted to the Church, and to the privilege of his priesthood, Fr. Bill contributed to the Paulist community, parishes and individuals in many ways. He taught at St. Paul’s College in Washington, D.C. and at the Toronto School of Theology. He was elected President of the Paulist community for two terms from 1978 to 1985. Prior to that, Fr. Bill had led as Director of the Paulist Information Center in Toronto and as a member of the Paulist General Council. He served as pastor at the Church of St. Cyril of Alexandria in Tucson, Arizona, and at St. Paul the Apostle in New York City. He assisted at St. Andrew Avellino parish in Flushing, New York up to and following his retirement at age 78. In 2018, he returned to Canada to live at Presentation Manor in Scarborough, Ontario, a residence inspired by Catholic religious orders.
Fr. Bill was humble, unpretentious, and kind. He had the gift of engaging with people in a way that made them feel their stories were important. He encouraged their faith and life journeys without judgement. Fr. Bill will be fondly remembered for his love of learning, his openness to new ideas, his appreciation of art in many forms, and his enjoyment of a good round of golf. He pursued his extensive interests by teaching himself to use latest technology and by frequent travel. Across Canada and the United States, his extensive family warmly welcomed his visits. He generously honoured many of his nieces and nephews by officiating their weddings, and by baptizing their children. He was loved and supported by his many generous friends, community members, and family throughout North America.
Visitation will be held on Monday September 30, 2019 from 10:00-11:00 am at Presentation Manor, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario, with funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am.
In memory of Fr Bill, and in lieu of flowers, friends may donate to The Missionary Society of St Paul the Apostle.
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