I got word this morning that my last remaining uncle, Willard Woodrow “Bill” Wilson, passed away peacefully late yesterday in his 93rd year. Born on the banks of the Miramichi River at the Wilson homestead in McNamee New Brunswick April 30, 1918, Uncle Bill was one of 8 siblings in my father’s family and he, like his parents, brothers and sisters, personified a life well-lived.
Front Row: Willard & Sade / Second Row: Louise, Murray, Frances & Grace / Third Row: Lawrence, Jim, Bill & Tom
Growing up in the early to mid-1900′s in what was considered to be the backwoods of New Brunswick made finding opportunities to better your position in life limited. However, Bill’s parents, Willard and Sade (my grandparents), used the connections they developed with the many clients who came to Wilson’s Sporting Camps to give their children opportunities to better themselves – but only if they were willing to work for it. After finishing elementary school Bill left the Miramichi Valley for the United States to further his education through the kindness of Professor Harry Wellman. A professor at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a frequent angler at Wilson’s Camps, Professor Wellman took Bill to New Hampshire and, allowing him to work for his room and board, gave Bill an opportunity that few in those years were given, let alone were able to take advantage of, namely to purse higher education. Under the guidance of Professor Wellman, Bill attended Hanover High School in New Hampshire and continued his education at Dartmouth College and then Dartmouth Medical School. When World War II broke out Bill transferred to McGill Medical School in Montreal, received his M.D. and subsequently served as a medical officer in the Canadian Army. After the war Bill married Dorothy Wood (“Aunt Dot”) of Arnprior and lived in Thornhill where he worked as a general practitioner in Ontario. In his later years Bill specialized in anesthesiology in hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area and his work ethic and no-nonsense attitude gained him many admirers in his profession. An avid golfer throughout his life, Bill took great delight in winning his local club championship as recently as 3 years ago (“I don’t hit them far now but I still hit them straight!”) but perhaps his greatest delight was in his visits back to the Wilson homestead on the banks of the Miramichi River.
Bill’s life is a testament to the small town values of honesty, integrity, hard work and kindness that we need more of in this world. I join my uncle’s family today in shedding a tear for his passing but I am thankful for the memories of a man whose life was full of love. My uncle’s death closes a chapter in the history of the Wilson’s but his legacy is a reminder to me of how fortunate I am to have been born into this family.
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