William Lacy

William (Bill) Charles Lacy (DOB: August 10, 1945) loving husband to Marie Lacy (nee McGrath) for the past 55 years passed unexpectedly on August 16, 2023.  He leaves behind his 5 children Paul (Sue), Michael (Paula), William-Joseph (Rosalyn), Kristina (Brian), and Keith (Caitlin), his God-daughter Danielle, God-son David, the grandchildren he adored, his 2 great grandchildren, and many extended family and friends.

Bill was originally born in Liverpool, England and immigrated to Canada as a young man of 16 looking for more opportunity and a better way of life.  He found it, marrying Marie in 1967 and starting their family together.  Bill had a tremendous work ethic, using his mechanic vocational training to find employment in commercial aircraft assembly.  He worked in the industry with McDonnell Douglas, and later with Boeing Canada, ultimately retiring in 2001.  Toward the end of his working career, he was recruited to work in Korea for 9 months – a long way from home for a lad from Liverpool.

Bill spent his retirement years enjoying time with his family, introducing his adult children to where he came from and the relatives that seemed so far away.  He did his best to convince anyone he could that true football supporters from Liverpool were in fact Everton fans – because that’s the side of the tracks he knew best.  He beamed with pride over the varied accomplishments of his 8 grandchildren.  He had a tough life and could be tough in return but not when it came to them. As Bill liked to say, “Grandchildren are God’s gift for not killing your own!”  Papa had a great sense of humor and loved to tease and be teased (especially over the Scouse accent he thought he lost long ago).

Bill loved to watch sports, following all of Toronto’s sports teams in their triumphs and defeats.  Convinced if he was coach or manager, he could solve any sports team failing – a pretty bold statement for the guy who still called soccer “football” – “COYB!”.  One of Bill’s favourite pastimes was playing golf.  He celebrated his 78th birthday golfing with family, completing what would be his final round only a few days before he passed.  Although he wasn’t golfing his age – it was good enough to win.  He was still hitting them straight when the shots of his playing partners flew past into the trouble.

Marie has lost her person.  After the kids grew up, moved away and had lives of their own, Bill and Marie were inseparable, settling in a building for seniors in Burlington – Marie forcing Bill to get to know the neighbours.  They would spend most days watching their British shows, helping out others in the building, and enjoying their balcony time -- rain or shine – talking about nothing and talking about everything too.  He advocated for Marie when her health faltered, and doctors did not appear to understand.  He “did everything” for her.

Bill/Dad/Papa was not taken from us early or without seeing his children grow and have children of their own. Others might think – 78 years – now that’s a full life.  And it was.  But his death is not convenient, welcome or easy to accept.  He was loved and will be missed by all of us who were in his orbit.

The family has requested no flowers. If desired, a modest donation to the Heart & Stroke foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society in his memory