William George (Bill) Gawley
Death Notice
GAWLEY, William George (Bill) - Peacefully with his wife by his side at University Hospital on Monday, February 15, 2021, William George Gawley of London age 81. Beloved husband for 52 years of Helen. Dear brother of Lynne Timermanis (the late Lou) and the late Tom. Brother-in-law of Dawn Gawley, Pat Simcoe, and Audrey Preston (Steve). Cherished uncle and great-uncle of many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by nephew Matthew Preston.
Bill was born in Toronto and grew up in Windsor. He moved to London where he taught Geography and also coached sports at Central, Banting, Beal and South. After retirement, he was a dedicated volunteer at University Hospital for 23 years. He enjoyed cottage life at Hope Bay on the Bruce Peninsula, where he loved to hike, fish and entertain. Helen and Bill had many travel adventures together, in particular a 1000 mile boat trip down the Mackenzie River and a 3 month around-the-world tour. In later years, he also appreciated days at sea on cruises. Bill was a kind, generous, considerate person with a wonderful sense of humour. He made a positive difference in many lives and will be missed by many friends and family.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of Bill’s life at a later date. Memorial donations to the London Health Sciences Foundation, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Condolences
Sally gibson
February 17, 2021, 1:49 pm
Our sincere sympathy to Helen and family from Hope Bay, hugs Richard and Sally Warren Betts also sends condolences
Richard and Dianne Monteith
February 18, 2021, 5:18 pm
Helen, We are so sorry for your loss. It is a loss for all his many friends and family. Bill was a very special man who went out of his way to always help others. He was gracious ,giving, and always had a wicked sense of humour. We always enjoyed being with you two whether at school, home or at your cottage. He will be so missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Sending caring, loving thoughts to you Helen and to his family.
Erica Danniels
February 17, 2021, 9:25 pm
Condolences to Helen and all of his loved ones. Uncle Bill will always be remembered for his positive energy and tireless sense of humour. He will be greatly missed.
Gwen Thompson
February 18, 2021, 7:33 pm
To Helen, Lynne and Family Bill was a great cousin, I always enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor at family reunions. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Much Love Gwen Thompson
Anita Jogia
February 18, 2021, 1:11 pm
My sincere condolences to the family and friends, on the passing of Bill Gawley. I had the pleasure of being in his geography class and he was a great teacher, and later I had the pleasure of seeing him at LHSC as a volunteer. His passion for helping people was evident and he will be missed. Anita Jogia
Teresa & Ron
February 18, 2021, 10:14 pm
A beautiful obituary to a wonderful, kind, sweet man. We will miss him so much. Life just won’t be the same for any of us, who loved Bill. Our arms are wrapped around you from “afar” Helen. Sending our sincerest condolences and a ton of love. Xoox. Teresa & Ron
Joanne Kavelman
February 19, 2021, 4:34 pm
Working in the ICU at UH, I will remember Bill fondly as a wonderful volunteer .His kindness and ever cheerful disposition was just an inspiration for us all. My condolences for your loss.
Susan Siegel
February 19, 2021, 4:37 pm
My heartfelt condolences to Helen and all Bill’s friends and family. I had the privilege and pleasure of working with this wonderful, caring, gentle man for all of his 23 years as an ICU volunteer. I was working the day he had his first shift in the ICU, and remember him telling me how much he had enjoyed his teaching career and being curious about our ICU and what it was like to for us to work there. Bill exuded kindness, patience and calm; the perfect personality for a volunteer who helped so many families during their most stressful hours! I can tell you that Bill was loved by all and we have missed him during the pandemic months when visitors and volunteers have been absent. Bill will not be forgotten. Sue Siegel, RN
Patricia Meier
February 19, 2021, 6:55 am
Helen, please receive our sincere condolences for the loss of Bill. We will never forget his kindness and his sense of humour. Bill will always have a place in our hearts. Love from Switzerland Pat and family
Audrey and Steve Preston
February 19, 2021, 2:26 pm
Bill was a very kind, clever, amazing brother-in- law with a quirky sense of humour.He enjoyed teasing our three sons when they were youngsters and making them squeal with laughter. Of course, he teased Helen a lot too. We all have fond memories of Bill entertaining us at the cottage in Hope Bay.He loved to barbecue delicious meals. Bill will be sadly missed! Lots of love to Helen! Audrey and Steve ❤️
Eleanor Marris Rogers
February 19, 2021, 4:39 pm
The ICU at University Hospital was so privileged to have Bill as a dedicated volunteer for many years. His smile and positivity brightened the day for ICU staff, even though he was only at your bedside for a short time as he checked to see if family could visit, or while he brought them in and introduced them to you. He was so kind and gentle, so well suited to supporting ICU patients and families who were in crisis. He clearly loved his volunteer role, and he excelled at it. He is missed by his ICU family.
Jean Morrow RN
February 19, 2021, 4:55 pm
It was a privilege to know and work with Bill throughout his years of service in the ICU. Ever respectful and understanding of the challenges of getting family into the bedside, he navigated that dance with ease and compassion. I knew the families were in the best of hands when Bill was working. He always greeted me with a warm smile, a hello, and on occasion a corny joke. He is one of my treasured memories of the ICU. I am thankful to have known him. My condolences to those who knew and loved him.
Debby and Barry Kenny
February 20, 2021, 10:28 am
We have had the privilege of being neighbors for over 20 years. Bill was always around to lend a hand to anyone who needed it - often without being asked. He would dig me out of deep snow many early mornings when I needed to get to work. He loved all of our dogs and often walked them. He also loved to wind them up with his ability to growl like them. Always interested in what what happening with us and our family. I personally saw his outstanding talent of being a kind and caring man as I witnessed his role as a volunteer in the ICU waiting room at UH when I worked there. He was so kind and supportive. Our sympathy to his extended family and many friends and his beloved Helen. He will certainly be missed but not forgotten. Debby Kenny
Steve Boom
February 20, 2021, 11:20 am
Bill Gawley was my geography teacher at Central S.S. London. Helen was our grade 10 French teacher (I’m still embarrassed about our behaviour in class) Bill was so proud to have coached our 1968 ( grade 9) basketball team to the city championship- the very first midget title of any sport -a brand new division which was formed that year along with Junior and senior. He boasted about that for the next 50 years. A highlight of my teaching career was being on the same teaching staff as my mentor, Bill Gawley, at H.B. Beal S.S. around 1990. I could not refer to him as Bill as a former student out of respect, but as Coach. He was so excited that one of his “ boys” was following in his footsteps. I would look for or bump into Bill at University Hospital where he worked with patients, many terminally ill, as a volunteer. I certainly admired how he would put all at ease, making their lives much more comfortable. Such an admirable accomplishment. Coach, next time I am UH I will be looking for you. I won’t be seeing you, but I know spiritually you will be there, watching out for others as you did for years after your retirement. You are on the first page of “my book of heroes.” Steve Boom
Sally (Ortbach) Gaverluk
February 20, 2021, 7:21 pm
As so many here have said, Bill was always kind and generous with his time as he gave me pointers in teaching geography at Beal in the eighties. My sincere condolences to you, Helen. Sally (Ortbach) Gaverluk.
Pat Simcoe
February 21, 2021, 1:04 pm
My brother-in-law Bill was truly unique. I remember a geography quiz on his 75th birthday where I realized that not only did he seem to know everything about everywhere, he’d been to most of the places! Bill was personable and outgoing with a contagious zest for fun and laughter. He was also kind and considerate, always wanting to hear about a person’s life or be updated on it. I remember him as a lifelong learner, reading several newspapers every day. He was also a lifelong teacher, often dropping bits of interesting information, “you know that rock you’re sitting on is four billion years old”. There are many wonderful memories. Bill will be so missed. Many hugs and love to Bill’s sister Lynne, and of course to Helen, my sister. Pat
Kim Spearin
February 22, 2021, 4:43 pm
We will all miss Bill tremendously in the Lab Test Centre at University Hospital. He greeted everyone with kindness, a smile and his sense of humour was always enjoyed by all. Our deepest sympathy to Helen and family.
David MacHardy
February 22, 2021, 5:25 pm
Helen We are sorry to hear about your loss. Bill was a treasured part of my life in the early years at Banting. Table tennis, staff parties and great times. The tiny Tamarack that we “borrowed” from somewhere around your cottage so many years ago is now a gigantic 70 foot tree just outside our front door. It will be there for a long time to come and bring back many fond memories. Thinking of you, Dave and Janice
Cliff and Mary Oliver
February 22, 2021, 10:13 am
We have known Bill and Helen for almost 50 years. As a former colleague of Bill teaching and living Geography our professional association quickly evolved into a profound, respectful friendship. His reputation as an elite geography teacher and coach of many sports was outstanding. Students and educators who came into contact with Bill were always better people for it. Bill gave positive encouragement and support always. He was very generous with his time and talents in organizing and hosting student field trips to his cottage on Hope Bay. To Helen and the family of Bill, our sincere condolences. We know the loss of Bill will be an ever present void in your life. Mary and I will always remember Bill for his sincerity, humour and warm friendship. Bill was one of the kindest persons we have ever known. Cliff and Mary Oliver....
Greg, Kristine and Jamieson
February 22, 2021, 8:57 pm
Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Helen and his sister, Lynne during this difficult time. Bill was a great uncle. We truly enjoyed visiting Bill and Helen at their cottage on Hope Bay where we would go hiking, boating and fishing. He inspired a lifelong love of learning in geography and nature. Bill was a very outgoing soul and we will miss his keen sense of humour. His memory will live on in our hearts. Lots of love from Greg, Kristine and Jamieson.
Allison Kerr
February 23, 2021, 3:12 pm
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr Gawley for at least 30 years,beginning in my high school geography class. He was a wonderful, fun teacher who brought so many life stories of travel to his classes. Several years later I was reunited with Mr Gawley at University Hospital where he was our ICU volunteer and I was an ICU nurse. He was the first smiling, kind face that families saw upon their first moments entering the ICU. We quickly reminisced about our years and caught up each time we saw each other. He remembered myself and my husband from his classes all those years later. My children each received beautiful stained glass gifts from Mr Gawley when they were born. My 18 year old son still has his Mickey Mouse and my 15 year old daughter a heart collage. A treasured gift that we will continue to cherish knowing they were made with care. My children have met Mr Gawley on several of our walks to the Masonville library. He was always a cheery, caring man with the best ties and stories of his many world wide travel adventures. He was a man who made people remember him with the fondest of memories and a smile on our faces. Our family sends condolences to the family of Mr Gawley.
Hélène Richardson
February 23, 2021, 3:20 pm
Dieter Oettgen, Hélène, Anne and Pierre Richardson are sending Our Sympathies to Helen and both Families. Bill was a wonderful Man and he will be greatly missed...
Braden & Jeannette Whilsmith
February 27, 2021, 7:20 pm
Dear Helen Please know I am thinking of you during this time. I know how dedicated you were to caring for your dear husband Bill. I extend my deepest sympathy to you Helen. Your friend, Jeannette
Fred Schlenker
February 28, 2021, 5:12 pm
My sincere condolences Helen. I will miss talking to Bill on the road in front of your place at Hope Bay. He always had something of interest to say. I am going to miss him.
Sharon & Sandy
February 28, 2021, 8:17 pm
What lovely tributes about Bill.....we will miss “the dock inspector” as Sandy referred to him....we will miss seeing him with his fishing pole and his lug a mug wandering down the shore in the morning at Hope Bay. Hugs to you Helen Sharon and Sandy
Walter Rowse
March 3, 2021, 4:23 pm
Dear Helen, Judi and I are very sorry for your loss. I have vivid memories of teaching with Bill. He was truly a teacher’s teacher, the real deal and a man’s man. Bill was a great guy to be near in those good old days. Walter Rowse.
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