Obituary of William David Croft

Bill was born in Toronto to Maude Harriet Croft on January 10, 1930.  He died on November 02, 2023 in Windermere, with his children and his soulmate of 38 years, Nora, by his side.   

 

Bill liked to stir the hornet’s nest followed by a rousing debate. He had an irreverent sense of humour and was a champion of puns. He loved to sing at the top of his lungs, in or out of tune.  A creative man his whole life, he was a builder of furniture and doll houses, cedar strip canoe, amazing Hallowe’en costumes, embroidered tapestries and paintings. He was proud to be part of the Purcell Mountain Painters. He was a ferocious reader and never missed an issue of The Economist. A writer himself, Bill produced a chapbook of poetry, multiple travel books and later in life a memoir entitled Maude’s Boy Bill. He and Nora were adventurous travellers with extensive time spent on all continents except Australia (which was on the list). Bill loved the outdoors, cross-country skiing, canoeing, fishing and hiking with family and dear friends.  He loved Mt Assiniboine and Swansea.

 

Bill had a brilliant mind, and his insatiable curiosity propelled him throughout his long life. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1954 in Chemical Engineering and was the recipient of the Gold Medal in his graduating year.    In his exceptional career he was the first Director of Industrial Research at McGill University, President of Raylo Chemicals in Edmonton, and then founding Director of the Calgary Research and Development Authority.

 

Having been raised by an amazing single mother, at the age of 90, Bill finally discovered his paternal family of origin.

Connecting with new found cousins gave him great joy and a sense of peace.

He is survived by Nora, his best friend, partner and wife, as well as his four children: Lynn (Gary), Lorraine (Gerry), Colleen (Mark) and David (Kelly), Doreen (mother of his children and lifelong friend) as well as ten grandchildren.

Bill requested that there be no funeral but rather a celebration on a beautiful spring day when his ashes can be given to the winds over Swansea Mountain where we will visit.

 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Columbia House Healing Garden would be greatly appreciated. https://cohogarden.org/donate