William Eldred TOYE

William Eldred Toye died peacefully, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at home on Collier Street in Toronto, with his niece, Anna, close by. Bill will be missed by his family, to whom he devoted much of his life: his sister, Elizabeth Graham; his niece and nephews, Anna, Ian (Jann Houston), and Nicholas Graham; as well as his great-nephews, Fraser and Calum. Also, by his many friends, neighbours and caregivers. He was a joyful and affectionate presence in all our lives. He was predeceased by younger brother, Bob (died 1992); and by his parents, Clare Toye (née Steenson, died 1971) and Eldred Dalston Toye (died 1937). Bill attended North Toronto CI, and Victoria College, University of Toronto. A classical music aficionado, he was a serious student of both piano and voice. During his university years, he was head usher at Eaton Auditorium, on the seventh floor of the flagship location of Eaton's department store, at the corner of College and Yonge. Bill held summer jobs as a front desk officer at Royal Muskoka Hotel, Minaki Lodge and Le Manoir Richelieu, in Quebec. Bill began at Oxford University Press, Canada, in 1948. He retired 43 years later in 1991. During that time, Bill served as warehouse clerk, production manager, book designer and editorial director. Author of The St. Lawrence (1959)-his seminal work-he edited the popular anthology A Book of Canada (1962); co-edited, with Robert Weaver, The Oxford Anthology of Canadian Literature (2nd edition, 1981); and was general editor of the first edition of The Oxford Companion to Canadian Literature (1983); co-editor, with Eugene Benson, of the second edition (1997); and editor of the Concise edition (2001). With Robert Weaver, Bill was a founding editor in 1956 of The Tamarack Review-a literary magazine that appeared quarterly for over 25 years. Throughout his career, Bill was an extraordinary bibliophile of exceptional talent and stamina. Bill attributed his editorial acumen to his "instinct, taste, intuition, and sensitivity to language and nuance as essential qualities upon which editors depend." For his contribution to Canadian letters, Bill received the Order of Canada in 1993. Bill was awarded an honorary Master of Arts by Oxford University in 1995, and an honorary Doctorate by Victoria College in 2004. In 1963, Bill bought a three-storey Victorian townhouse on Collier Street, where he lived with his mother, Clare. Bill loved Toronto. And he relished travel-to New York, London, and Paris; to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Iran. He shared his passion for the theatre, concerts, ballet, opera, fine art; and for hotels and restaurants, with his family and with his friends. Summers, he sailed as a member of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. In fact, Toronto Islands charmed Bill-the ferry, the fresh air, the parks, the maze, the picnics, the view of the city from across the harbour. Bill was also a great cinephile. He chatted expertly about actors, dancers, directors, choreographers and producers. A private interment was held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Bill Toye was a generous soul. In light of this, donations may be made in memory of Bill to Casey House, Alzheimer Society of Toronto, PEN Canada, or to a Charity of Your Choice. Thank you.