McILVRIDE, WILLIAM (WILL) LAURIE November 5, 1957 – October 5, 2018 Will, my love, age 60, passed away peacefully at home Friday, as per his last request. He was born in Toronto to the late Lewis and Edith (Abraham) McIlvride, their youngest son. Brought together by Echocardiography, Will is survived by his beloved wife Julia (Seed) of 20 years (October 3), dearest daughter Jennifer Ellis (Larry) and sweet baby granddaughter Denver; also by brothers John Hall, Robert McIlvride (Marnie), Douglas McIlvride (Sandra) and sister Barbara Adamson (David). He was Uncle Will to Ian, Evan and Madeline, Calsey, Mike, Tamara and Shaune, Martin and Nick, Thomas and Catherine. He also leaves behind his trusty truck Duke, his beloved fly rod, his boat Scotty.
Against all odds, always a fighter, Will was challenged at age 11 with meningitis and congenital valve endocarditis, requiring replacement. After 6 weeks coma and during 9 months at Sick Kids and Toronto East General Hospitals, his love for art developed. He was educated at Adam Beck Public School, Glen Ames, Malvern, then studied art at Castle Frank High School and graphic design at George Brown College. Will became a fire assayer (gold and silver content analysis) in Swastika, Ontario and at Westmin Mines, Hyder, Alaska, until April 1996 when forced to retire due to heart failure. Subsequent redo valve replacement, TIAs and pacemaker ensued until August 2005, his heart transplant was performed at TGH. Diabetes, tonsil cancer, 8 months stomach tube, both hips replaced. So many very caring techs, nurses, cardiologists at TEGH, especially Dr Bentley-Taylor for 37 years, the TGH Transplant Team: dear Stella Kozuszko, EasyCall, Drs. Heather Ross, Delgado, Daly, McDonald and Rao and Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacist Barry St. Pierre. He really was a patient patient – OK another test, another poke.
Will was a passionate lifelong fly fisherman, yet tolerated Julia’s wildlife photo passion; he tied his own flies, loved bird-watching together (Laurie, a robin), carpentry, our Haliburton cottage, Killarney Lodge Algonquin Park in the fall, helping neighbours (an occasional Guinness), Phase 10, radio and TCN oldies, his Scottish heritage, Master and Commander, going to Arkadia and Feathers Restaurants, BassPro and travelling across Canada, Britain and the Danube River. He was devoted to his mother and brother John’s longterm care, to Brandy, the sheltie, McBarker then Bailey, his American cocker spaniels, and to wife Julia. Will was a t-shirt, shorts and ball cap kind of guy, stubborn and very private, loyal but defensive, not computer or cell phone savvy. Will will finally be at rest after a 7-month struggle with heart transplant failure and 6 long admissions since March. He put up the big fight.
Funeral on Saturday, October 13th, Visitation 10:00 a.m., Service 11:00 a.m., Reception to follow, Family Interment 3:00 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Mount Pleasant Rd., Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Toronto General Hospital, Heart Transplant Team and Michael Garron Hospital (formerly Toronto East General); please encourage loved ones and friends to organ donate, for we owe a huge debt of gratitude to one such family for Will’s heart.
No more worries, fly fish your dream. Thanks to buddy Manny for #7. T.N.A.