Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Neil Williams
1932 - 2020
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Mark Flinders uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, August 23, 2020
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Neil.
We are here today to celebrate the life of Neil Stuart Williams...
No, that’s not right. Today we are here to celebrate the life of Neil, Stuart, Neiley, Dad, Uncle Neil, Papa, (to the dogs) Santa, Old Fart, Williams. He had a lot of names; however it was that Neil was part of your life directly influenced which of those names you addressed him by, but he happily answered to all of them! Neil also had a lot of jobs. He was as you all know, a Husband and a dad, but he was also a Glazier and Glass worker, a Military Police Officer serving in the British Army, Rotary Club member, treasurer and President, a hunter, fisherman, builder, friend, mentor, uncle and Jester. Neil loved to laugh and to make others laugh.
If you knew Neil, you were his friend. He always had a kind word, a smile, a joke and a hearty laugh to share with everyone. We all knew too well that when that certain glint appeared in his eye, there was either a joke a gag or some other Tom Foolery about to take place!
I first met Neil over 26 years ago, while dating Chrissi, he immediately made me feel welcome and always made a point of having a good conversation with me when we were together, fast forward a few years, I went to Neil to ask for his blessing to Marry Chrissi. I could tell he wanted to make me sweat it out, but I since he and I had shared many, many, many meals together and we had become friends, he told me that he would be happy if I married his daughter and become his son in law. Over the years, Neil was not only my Father in Law, but also a friend a teacher and a second father to me. One time he even invited me over to help pour, float and finish the concrete pad that replaced the old walkway in front of His and Mary Ellen’s home. Of course, thinking back, that may have actually been a thinly veiled warning to never hurt his daughter as he knew how to pour a concrete slab that would last for decades...
Neil also loved children, he always enjoyed seeing his Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews at family gatherings, seeing all the children always brought a smile to his face and of course all of the children loved seeing Neil! As I mentioned earlier, Neil was also known as Santa, I recall one-time out shopping with Neil and a little boy pointed at him and proclaimed “MOM, LOOK IT’S SANTA!!” The mortified mother apologized and told her child that Neil was not Santa. Neil looked down at the little boy, smiled and whispered “Ssssh, don’t tell anyone, I am Santa.” Neil just loved to play the part of Santa, even at our wedding rehearsal, everyone sang Here Comes Santa Claus while Neil walked down the aisle with Chrissi.
Neil didn’t have any Grand Kids of his own, but he had Grand Dogs and Grand Cats who he loved to see and talk to, of course, there were always treats to be had! I think there were times that Neil would have preferred to see the dogs over us! Dropping by on my way home from work, I was always greeted with “Where are the dogs? Did you bring the dogs??” Of course, that feeling was always reciprocated, when I got home and our dogs smelled Papa, I always got a stern talking to!
When it came to a party or a Barbecue, you could always count on Neil to be in attendance, he loved to entertain and to be entertained! He loved food and he loved to experiment with food, I’ve heard tales of the infamous “Bubble and Squeak” meals or the “Alterations” he would make to stews that Mary Ellen had prepared and left in the crock pot for dinner while she was working. A family friend told me a story of a time that she arrived at the house and Neil was home alone and up to something in the kitchen. She asked what he was doing, and he gleefully replied, “I’m making Peas Porridge!!” She asked if Marry Ellen knew he was making it and he said “NOPE!” With a huge smile on his face. She took a seat at the table to wait for others to arrive home and to see what Neil would get up to next! Neil did not disappoint and in short order he recited his recipe, “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days...Wait do you think that means I need to leave it here for NINE DAYS?” I never did get to try Neil’s Bubble and Squeak, Stew Surprise or Peas Porridge, hot or cold, but I think we all have shared many great meals, great laughs and great conversations at a table with Neil.
Family meant the world to Neil and he was always happy to spend time with everyone. Family dinners, Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving were always special to Neil when we would all get together at his and Mary Ellen’s house. Bryan and Donna along with Chrissi and I would join Neil and Mary Ellen for the afternoon that was always full of hearty laughs, storytelling and of course a meal fit for Kings and Queens. Many times, I would just sit back and listen to the stories that were told. I heard tales of when Chrissi and Bryan were just young, and they would go on family camping trips. Camping in Nova Scotia under Kelly’s Mountain during a thunderstorm, Neil teaching Chrissi and Bryan how to snorkel, picking peri winkles and eating fresh seafood. Driving out to the East Coast there were tales of Chrissi and Bryan riding in the back cap of Neil’s Datsun pickup truck and holding up signs when they needed to have a bathroom break or were hungry. Neil cherished his kids, Chrissi and Bryan always came up in conversations with family and friends. He made a point to tell everyone about how Chrissi is a nurse and all about her education or to make everyone jealous with tales of the Gourmet Kitchens that Bryan is running as a Chef and cooking for the elite and posh members of society.
Neil and Mary Ellen were married almost 54 years. They were Married in the fall, right in the middle of moose season which posed some unique challenges. Neil, not Mary Ellen was the one late to arrive at the church because he was probably up North hunting for the elusive moose! There was always a lot of joking, carrying on and of course everyone needed to experience the “Dinner and Show” at Neil and Mary Ellen’s at least once. Mary Ellen told me that for everything they had, they started with nothing, having only a few months' rent in the bank when they arrived home from their Honeymoon in Florida. They went back to work and built a life together, having their first child Chrissi in 1970, while living in an apartment in Newmarket. Then starting to build their beautiful home in Bradford, moving in during 1972 and then completing their family with the arrival of Bryan just before 1972 ended. From there life was a whirlwind of activity, Neil working long hours as a Glazier while Mary Ellen worked part time as a Critical Care Nurse at York County Hospital and held down the home front, Chrissi and Bryan growing up, completing educations and starting along their career paths then settling into their own family lives.
We never have enough time, but we will always have the memories. I always love to hear stories about Neil most of which end with a room full of people laughing and smiling. I know that right know Neil is out fishing in clear and calm waters with his friends and raising a Scotch to a life well lived.
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Carolyn uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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My deepest condolences to the entire family. Uncle Neil was an incredible person, full of wit, charm and kindness. I will always think of him when I see good BBQ, moose jerky or a national geographic! Rest In Peace Uncle Neil and happy hunting in heaven xoxo
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Jill uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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Jill uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
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Grant (Jean's Neighbour) posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
So sorry to hear about the passing of Neil! I just had a couple glasses of wine with Jean and hearing about the good times with her brother. My condolences to you all and thinking of you all during this sudden and unexpected loss. Take care!
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Audi and Jay posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Neil. He and his sense of humour will be missed. Thinking of the family and sending comfort and love. Will always remember the pea soup song and craziness lol
Love and light,
The Stratton family (Jay & Audi)
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Laurie Newton posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
We had the pleasure of having his happy, calm presence as a neighbour for years. Even watching him pick up the newspaper could make us smile (that bathrobe!). Warm thoughts to his family - he will be missed.
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clare posted a condolence
Monday, August 17, 2020
Such good memories over the years... hearing stories of Uncle Neils fishing and hunting adventures, we were always looking forward to having one of his homemade moose burgers ! He loved his garlic so at all markets we were on the hunt for something garlicky that he had not tried before!
will will miss him
love Clare and Paul
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Jack Everitt posted a condolence
Saturday, August 15, 2020
Spent time fishing and hunting with Neil , often referred to him as Santa Clause , a man of gentle persuasion , kind and always very pleasant . His jolly laugh and pleasant smile were contagious . Always remember him BBQing out the kitchen door in the winter in a snowmobile suit . You will leave a hole in many hearts .
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Chrissi and Mark uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 14, 2020
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Chrissi and Mark uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 14, 2020
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Chrissi and Mark uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 14, 2020
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Debbie Moran posted a condolence
Friday, August 14, 2020
Our sincere condolences to Mrs. Williams and the whole family. We will miss Mr. Williams' wonderful stories when he came into the Office. He was a lovely person.
Debbie, Chris, and Karen from Desjardins Insurance
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Donna posted a condolence
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Neil you were one of the sweetest people I knew. From the very first day we met you treated me like family. You were the best father in law a person could have and I'm very lucky to have had you in my life. I'm going to miss you
Donna
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The family of Neil Williams uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 13, 2020
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LATHANGUE CHAPEL (Funeral Establishment Operator - Class 1) FE-51
30 Simcoe Road | P.O. Box 318 | Bradford, ON | L3Z 2A9
905-775-3335 | 1-800-209-4803
THEAKER CHAPEL (Funeral Establishment Operator - Class 1) FE-293
19153 Centre Street | Mount Albert, ON | L0G 1M0
905-895-8062 | 1-800-209-4803