It is with heavy hearts but many warm memories that we announce the passing of Roger Charles Wilson who died peacefully on Thursday, April 18th, 2024 at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland, Ontario after a short illness, with his family by his side.
Born in St. Catherine’s on January 23rd, 1935, he grew up in Toronto. It was at Etobicoke Collegiate High School that he met the love of his life and best friend, Geraldine (Gerry) to whom he was married for 64, loving years. He also was introduced to another love of his life – the game of football. Recognized by coaches and scouts as a great prospect, number ‘35’ was offered scholarships at Canadian and American colleges and enjoyed a short, semi professional career after high school.
He began a very successful and highly respected 35+ year career as an insurance broker initially, at Canadian Surety in Toronto. In 1964 and until his retirement, he became a partner at ‘Tucker, Roberts, Tierney and Wilson’ in Ottawa. He was a natural leader and organizer, and in 1987, was President of the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association.
Both Dad and Mom were avid curlers. They enjoyed their many years playing the game as members of both the City View Curling and the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Clubs and made many lifelong friends. Dad also held respected and administrative positions at both municipal (President of the City View Curling Club in 1971) and national levels he was inducted into and in 1995, President of the Governor General’s Curling Club.
Dad and Mom also shared a love of their family cottage in Quebec. Friends and family all have many wonderful memories of times spent with my parents at ‘Treetops’ on beautiful Blue Sea Lake.
Two years, ago, Roger and Gerry moved from Ottawa and made Penetanguishene, Ontario their home in order to be close to their growing family. There, as they did everywhere else, they made many new friends and loved their home.
Roger was described by all of us who knew him and others who just met him as a kind, caring, intelligent, quick witted ‘gentleman’, “so well-liked”, and ‘such a great guy’.
Roger was a cherished Dad to his daughter Tracy and Son-in-law Greg, loving Grandpa to Spencer and much loved by his Stepsons Michael (Kristin), Brian (Justine) and their eight children, whom he adored and who fondly referred to Great Grandpa as ‘Rog’.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Gerry, who passed away last year, his dynamic son Craig who left us too early, and his loving parents Herbert and Alice Wilson, and sister Gail.
We would like to thank the incredibly compassionate staff (and residents) of Bayfield House who adopted my parents and treated them like family from the day that they arrived. Also, a sincere thank you to the wonderful GBGH staff on 2 North and in the Emergency Department for their excellent care. A special thank you to Dr. Majeed.
The family will be celebrating his life in a private ceremony. Donations in his memory can be made to the MS Society of Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
