Obituary for William "Bill" Alan Irvine
WILLIAM “BILL” ALAN IRVINE
1935-2018
Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family at VON Sakura House, Woodstock on Saturday, December 8, 2018, William “Bill” Alan Irvine, of Tillsonburg, passed away at the age of 83 years. Proud and devoted father of Greg Irvine (Doris) of Orillia, Chris Irvine (Cathie) of North Bay and Randi Irvine (Rob) of Barrie. Cherished grandfather of Joshua, Austin, Annie and Roy. Dear brother of Audrey Belshaw (Gordon) of Barrie and Donna Healey of Michigan. Bill is also survived by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Bill and Vera (Carless) Irvine. Bill was born in Toronto on April 13, 1935 and was raised in Niagara Falls where he attended Stamford Collegiate. After lettering and graduating from high school, he took a job at the local radio station CHVC as an announcer. Staying on that path in 1955 he accepted a job with the newly operating CKOT radio in Tillsonburg. In 1956 he met and married Connie, and soon after they started their family. In 1957 he moved his family to Peterborough where he took another broadcasting position at CHEX. Over the next decade or so he sold life insurance, was a pharmaceutical detailer, and successful salesman for the electronic companies Braun, Telefunken and Nordmende. Making many trips back to Tillsonburg over that time it was decided that coming back to settle would be a good idea. Being the very enterprising man that he was, he opened up the first record store in Tillsonburg called “ It’s Hear” in 1971. For the next three decades, the success of the store lead to Bill becoming one of Tillsonburg’s most prominent merchants. In the mid-80s Bill was an integral part of the launching and continued success of the community living fundraiser called the “Magnificent Singing Machine.” His gift for improvisation coupled with excellent timing as the master of ceremonies always provided an entertaining and fun evening. Bill served on town council from 1977- 1980. He was active as a masonic member of Ashlar Lodge #701, as well as a Tillsonburg Shrine Club member for many years. Bill took part in many community groups and clubs over the years. Later in his life he became a Real Estate Broker with Remax in Tillsonburg. This was something he enjoyed because it kept him connected with the town he loved so much. He also helped with the developement of Tillson Landing. Bill loved spending time at his family cottage on Little Hawk Lake in the Halliburton Highlands. He knew that humour was a universal solvent against abrasive elements of life. He loved a good joke and even more, sharing one. Bill had the ability to make any story come alive!
Bill will be missed greatly by his many friends, family and the community of Tillsonburg.
A Celebration Of Life For Bill will be held at Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Tillsonburg Branch # 153 or VON Sakura House would be appreciated by the Irvine family.
Personal condolences and favourite memories may be shared at ostrandersfuneralhome.com
1935-2018
Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family at VON Sakura House, Woodstock on Saturday, December 8, 2018, William “Bill” Alan Irvine, of Tillsonburg, passed away at the age of 83 years. Proud and devoted father of Greg Irvine (Doris) of Orillia, Chris Irvine (Cathie) of North Bay and Randi Irvine (Rob) of Barrie. Cherished grandfather of Joshua, Austin, Annie and Roy. Dear brother of Audrey Belshaw (Gordon) of Barrie and Donna Healey of Michigan. Bill is also survived by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Bill and Vera (Carless) Irvine. Bill was born in Toronto on April 13, 1935 and was raised in Niagara Falls where he attended Stamford Collegiate. After lettering and graduating from high school, he took a job at the local radio station CHVC as an announcer. Staying on that path in 1955 he accepted a job with the newly operating CKOT radio in Tillsonburg. In 1956 he met and married Connie, and soon after they started their family. In 1957 he moved his family to Peterborough where he took another broadcasting position at CHEX. Over the next decade or so he sold life insurance, was a pharmaceutical detailer, and successful salesman for the electronic companies Braun, Telefunken and Nordmende. Making many trips back to Tillsonburg over that time it was decided that coming back to settle would be a good idea. Being the very enterprising man that he was, he opened up the first record store in Tillsonburg called “ It’s Hear” in 1971. For the next three decades, the success of the store lead to Bill becoming one of Tillsonburg’s most prominent merchants. In the mid-80s Bill was an integral part of the launching and continued success of the community living fundraiser called the “Magnificent Singing Machine.” His gift for improvisation coupled with excellent timing as the master of ceremonies always provided an entertaining and fun evening. Bill served on town council from 1977- 1980. He was active as a masonic member of Ashlar Lodge #701, as well as a Tillsonburg Shrine Club member for many years. Bill took part in many community groups and clubs over the years. Later in his life he became a Real Estate Broker with Remax in Tillsonburg. This was something he enjoyed because it kept him connected with the town he loved so much. He also helped with the developement of Tillson Landing. Bill loved spending time at his family cottage on Little Hawk Lake in the Halliburton Highlands. He knew that humour was a universal solvent against abrasive elements of life. He loved a good joke and even more, sharing one. Bill had the ability to make any story come alive!
Bill will be missed greatly by his many friends, family and the community of Tillsonburg.
A Celebration Of Life For Bill will be held at Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Tillsonburg Branch # 153 or VON Sakura House would be appreciated by the Irvine family.
Personal condolences and favourite memories may be shared at ostrandersfuneralhome.com