WILLIAM "Bill" ALEXANDER

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  • "Hard to think Bill is gone. He was always there with a..."
    - Marie Simmons
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    - Suzanne MacDonald
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ALEXANDER WILLIAM (Bill) CHISHOLM Peterborough Ontario (Formerly of Toronto, Ontario and Arisaig, NS) Passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 31, 2011 at the Peterborough Regional Hospital just shy of his 93rd birthday. Born in Heatherton, Antigonish County on February 24, 1918, Bill was the son of Janet (Jenny) and William Alexander Chisholm. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary (MacIsaac) Chisholm and was predeceased by Margaret I. Chisholm, Genevieve (Gen) (MacDonald) Chisholm and Mary K. Chisholm, his first wife and mother of his large clan of 8 sons and 2 daughters: Robert (Andrea), Toronto, Kevin (Helen), Uxbridge, Jack (Debbie) Toronto, Father Greg (missionary priest in Peru), Jerome (Carol) Kingston, Paul (Ann Marie) Aurora, Bernie (Debby) Toronto, Mary, Janet (John) Peterborough and Jimmy, Dartmouth. Lovingly remembered by his 21 grandchildren: Lauren (Scott), Michael (Susan), Carrie, Jeff (Tiffany), Todd (Brigid), Leanne (Matthew), John, Timothy, Jessica (Kyle), Joel, Seth, Amy (Derek), Luke, James, Jane, Katie (Phil), Jenny, Kristin (Brendan), Adam, Craig and Peter and 7 great-grandchildren: Oliver, Thomas, Catherine, Sarah, Emily, Abbigail and Grady. For an only child, Bill Chisholm has left quite a legacy! He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Chisholm (Libby) MacDonald (Heatherton), Ray MacDonald (Antigonish) sisters-in-law, Jean Fraser, Claire Chisholm (Antigonish), Almira MacPherson (Hamilton) Florence MacDonald, Kaye Fraser, (Heatherton), Mary Chisholm (Truro) and Sr. Marie Raymond CMS (Antigonish) as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. In his early years Bill left his beloved Nova Scotia and moved to Toronto and prepared for his wife Mary and 8 children to join him. There they flourished in East York and added their second set of twins! During these years, Bill worked many jobs to provide for his family, gradually climbing the ranks from Longshoreman at the Toronto Port Commission to attain the position of Superintendent. Despite the demands of work and family, Bill involved himself in his Church and in community organizations with a special focus on helping the poor. As a member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, his children recall Bill's frequent visits to help the poor and those who struggled in his community. His example inspired his children and he was especially proud of Father Greg who devoted his life to serving the poor. Despite losing his first wife while his 10 children were very young, Bill prevailed with the help and support of Gen to see his kids grow and flourish. His greatest source of pride was his family and he reveled in their accomplishments (unless they beat him at crib!) He really was the 'wind beneath our wings' and this interest and encouragement continued to the next generation of grandkids and then the 'greats'. Throughout his lifetime, Bill embraced his Scottish heritage and culture, donning his kilt, speaking a wee bit of Gaelic and singing a Scottish tune to the delight of his family. Retiring back to Arisaig in Antigonish County allowed Bill to connect once again with his Celtic roots. Though he faced his share of heartache, Bill never faltered in his Catholic Faith, was a powerful man of prayer and let his actions illuminate the way for all of us. We were blessed to have him with us for such a long and wonderful life. Visitation 6-9 p.m. Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Trull Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario; Mass of the Christian Burial, Friday, February 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 24 Cheritan Ave., Toronto, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the registered charity Canadian Friends of Peru, 36 Alder Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4B 2Y4. Condolences may be made at www.trullfuneralsyonge.com
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Trull Funeral Home & Cremation Centre
2704 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4N2H7
(416) 488-1101
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Published in the Toronto Star on Feb. 3, 2011
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