F. William WOOLFORD

WOOLFORD, F. William

Died gently at home on Saturday, the 22nd of November, 2014 at 97 years of age. We should all wish for the full life Bill had: two wonderful marriages, loving family and friends, a fulfilling and productive career, a strong faith. He was a Boy Scout Leader; a Lieutenant in the Canadian Army; a columnist by the name of 'Al Gonk', in the Algonquin (Toronto) Island community newspaper; a choir member; a church elder and the first Clerk of Session at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church (Don Mills); a Sunday School teacher; a teacher of knot-tying; a fine dancer; a sharp dresser; a gardener; a teller of jokes; a life-long Maple Leaf fan; a fitness enthusiast; an artist/calligrapher; a volunteer throughout his life; and in his 80's, the driving force to develop a summer day camp to help parents and children in the Don Mills and Flemingdon Park communities. And always a gentleman. Bill followed the teachings of God all his life. Wherever Bill saw a need he would try to meet it and expected others to do the same. He embraced everyone he met and he went the extra mile in every endeavour.
  Bill was born to Fred and Ethel (nee Shephard) Woolford on the 10th of September, 1917 in Ottawa, Ontario. He grew up in Toronto, attended Central Technical School, worked initially as a wax engraver at Rapid, Grip and Batten, and eventually as a printing salesman for Atwell Fleming Printing Company. He married Mary Helen Ross on the 10th of March, 1945. They had three children, Lorraine, Janice and Ross. They lived in North Toronto in their early marriage, moving first to Toronto Island, and then settling in Don Mills just as it was developing. Three years after Mary died (at the age of 65), Bill married a family friend, Margaret Watson (nee Wickham), also widowed, on the 5th of May, 1991. Interestingly, when Margaret was young, she was girlhood friends with Mary Ross; later, Marg worked for Bill's father and was instrumental in introducing Bill to Mary.
  Bill was predeceased by his older brother, Len, whom he looked up to and admired his entire life. He leaves behind his dear wife, Margaret; his three children, Lorraine, Janice and Ross; his stepchildren, Dianne Cruise and Philip Watson; his collected grandchildren, Anna Trbovich, David Black, Emma Woolford, Kimberly Black, Kristen Black, James Black, Connor Cruise, Justin Watson, Cody Watson and Taylor Watson. Bill lived long enough to meet some of the next generation, including Anna's sons, Ross and Kenneth Hamilton.Heartfelt thanks to Esther Arthurton, Tracey Blake and Karen Francis, who provided Bill with tender, loving care for the past four and a half years. Bill touched the lives of so many people. He will be deeply missed.
  A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 1 Greenland Road, Toronto, on Saturday, the 29th of November, 2014 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the organization that you believe makes the world a better place.