William A. PARISH

William A. PARISH

PARISH, William A. January 24, 1924 – June 21, 2018 Died peacefully at the age of 94 ½ in the garden of his beloved family home where he continued to reside after he and Marny raised their children.

He came to Ajax in 1952 to be the head of the history department of the newly opened Pickering District High School in Pickering Village. He quickly became involved in local affairs and was the Chairman of the Ajax Citizens Committee, which fought for and won the struggle to make the Improvement District of Ajax a Town with its own elected Council. He was elected to the Town’s first Council in 1955 and became its third Mayor in 1958. During his tenure as Mayor, he enacted the Town’s first Official Plan which designated the waterfront as publicly owned park space for the enjoyment of the entire community.

He established its first publicly owned water filtration plant and laid the foundation of the Town of Ajax. The first person in his family to obtain a university degree, he became an outstanding teacher, principal and retired as the Director of Education for the Scarborough Board of Education. He was a lifelong learner who cherished children and their potential. He led and was involved with countless community organizations including the Ajax Pickering Hospital, Pickering Ajax Citizens Together, John Howard Society and numerous others.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Marny, he leaves his six children: Chris (Nadine), Steve (Rose), Jill (Steve), Julia (Blair), Joe (Jill) and Bill (Andrea), 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He loved and celebrated each one of them. Despite all of his accomplishments, he considered his family his greatest achievement. Forever loved and respected, he will always be missed and always be cherished.

A Community Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Ajax Community Centre, HMS Room, 75 Centennial Rd., on Thursday, June 28th beginning at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation or the Alzheimer Society.

Arrangements entrusted to McEachnie Funeral Home, Ajax. Online condolences may be placed at www.mceachniefuneral.ca