William (Bill) Hilton Wrigley

Bill was born on Aug. 11, 1932.  After a busy active life, Bill died at age 88 on Oct. 22, 2020. His wife Carolyn Swadron, his children Bill, Connie (John), Derek and Heidi (Jack), and grandchildren Brynne, Leland and Graydon survive him.

After 40 years in Montreal, Bill moved with his first wife Cherie and their children to Toronto, New Glasgow NS, Winnipeg, and then back to Toronto where he married his second wife Carolyn.  His accomplishments include engineering several bridges, the Ottawa Civic Centre, and the new Montreal Forum; manufacturing rail cars, and then VP of Manufacturing for Versatile Farm Equipment.  He played a key role in bringing the deCoste Performing Arts Centre, and performers like Maureen Forrester and the Vienna Choir Boys to Pictou and New Glasgow NS.

Bill’s education included a BSc in Maths & Physics from Sir George Williams – now Concordia - obtained at night school while working full time.  After retiring, at the University of Toronto, he earned a BA in Anthropology & Aboriginal Studies, a MSc. in Archaeology focusing on aboriginal issues and the Iroquoian longhouse from an engineering perspective, and began a PhD.  Bill was involved with First Nations House and The Toronto Native Canadian Centre for several years.  He educated seniors and others with presentations focusing on the North American First Nations people and the tragic story of their criminal social cultural mistreatment, particularly over the last 200 years.

Bill loved music.  From his teens he played banjos, mandolins, guitars, ukuleles and mouth organs. He was a member of the Toronto Banjo Band for several years.  Afterwards, he entertained seniors groups with singalongs.

An avid sailor from his early twenties, Bill built dinghies and flag poles for several sailing clubs, and taught Power Squadron courses.  He sailed boats ranging from dinghies to 35 foot cruising yachts in Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, and cruised in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. His first mate on many adventures was his wife Carolyn.

Bill was happy in his workshop where, as a superb cabinet maker, he fashioned fine items, often with exotic woods and inlays, for family and friends.

His many friends, acquaintances and his family will miss him.

At Bill’s request, there will be no funeral.