Obituary of Frederick William Ford

Ford, Frederick William (Bill) Passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2008 at the age of 92. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 48 years Edith. Loving father of sons Terrance (Grace) and Ronald (Dianne). Lovingly remembered by grandchildren Darren, Michael, Clayton, Jarrett, Conrad and Elysia. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. We are blessed to have had him in our lives. Bill was born in Milton, Ontario and raised and educated in Hamilton and Peterborough. Bill served in the Canadian and British armies in WW II. He was wounded during the liberation of Holland as an officer on loan to the British army (CANLOAN). Bill graduated from the University of Toronto as a Chartered Accountant and had a lengthy business career with Silverwood's Dairies and MacGillivray Partners Chartered Accountants. Bill took great pride in serving his community and had a particular interest in education. He served as past Chair of the Board of Governors of Niagara College and Chair of the Ontario Council of Regents for Colleges of Applied Arts. His keen interest in life-long learning extended to his earning a bachelors degree in Philosophy from Brock University in 1984. He was instrumental in forming the Brock Philosophy Society and established a scholarship in his name for deserving students. One of Bill's greatest accomplishments and joys was his 50 years of service with Rotary International and their charitable work on behalf of crippled children and other deserving causes as a member of the St Catharines Club. Bill and Edith enjoyed some wonderful travels to Europe and Asia on behalf of both Rotary and the Council of Regents. Bill also contributed to the St Catharines community through his volunteer efforts for the YMCA, the Grantham Curling Club and the Lancaster Lawn Bowling Club. Bill was a member of the Church of the Transfiguration and took great comfort from his association with the church and his many friends there. This strong relationship resulted in Bill establishing an endowment fund for religious education for the church through the Niagara Community Foundation. The family would like to thank Bill's personal care givers, JoAnne, Elizabeth, Bea, Ben Carolynne and Amy, Dr's Hoosen and Hartman, friends Daphne, Bill and Diane, neighbours Al, Lynne, John and Katie and most especially Karen, Bill's dear friend, companion and caregiver. Visitation for friends of Bill will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday April 19, 2008 prior to the funeral service at The Church of the Transfiguration at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the St Catharines Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to the Church of the Transfiguration Education Fund of the Niagara Community Foundation, the CNIB or the charity of your choice.