Obituary for Mr. William Greaves
GREAVES, William
August 19, 1945 - December 29, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Bill’s passing. Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he was awaiting a return to Florida for the winter.
Son of the late William Greaves and Lillian Maud Parker and predeceased by his sister MaryAnn Greaves, he leaves to mourn Judith (nee Grierson) his wife and best friend, as well as his sons Billy (Jessica) and Jason (Lynn). He was the proud grandfather of William and David, and Victoria and Eliza. He will be fondly remembered by cousins David, Robert, Helen, Fred, Marnie-Lynn, Nancy, Janie and Roy as well as many other friends and family.
Bill lived a rich and full life. He worked for many years with the family business, Greaves Jams and Marmalades, alongside his grandfather (William), father (Lord Mayor of Upper Canada 1949-1961), sister, and many other family members. He also coached both baseball and hockey teams in the Niagara area, and had a love for all sports. He met Judith at a horse show and they married in 1979 in NOTL. They would spend the next 41 years pursuing their love for horses.
Once wed, Bill and Judith opened a family equestrian farm on Niagara Stone Road, where William and Jason were born. In 1985, he decided to follow a true passion and began training thoroughbred race horses. The family relocated to Fort Erie in 1987 and would spend many years racing horses at Fort Erie Racetrack in the summer and at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida in the winter. He owned a countless number of horses and made countless long-lasting friendships during those busy years. Bill retired from training horses in 2008 and moved to Cobden. Here he spent the summers fishing Muskrat Lake while continuing the family tradition of spending the winter months in Florida.
Bill enjoyed a good game of euchre, fishing, a sunny lanai with a crossword puzzle and being with his friends and family. Often cited as having the ‘gift of the gab’, Bill enjoyed engaging and discussing any subject. He maintained regular calls with many of his friends throughout the years, which will be greatly missed by all.
Cremation has taken place. A virtual service for Bill will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Please contact the family for more information. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society (longrunretirement.com) or to the St. Catharines Church of the Deaf, care of Calvary Church, 89 Scott St., St. Catharines, ON L2N 1G8.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street, Thunder Bay.
August 19, 1945 - December 29, 2020
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of Bill’s passing. Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep in Thunder Bay, Ontario where he was awaiting a return to Florida for the winter.
Son of the late William Greaves and Lillian Maud Parker and predeceased by his sister MaryAnn Greaves, he leaves to mourn Judith (nee Grierson) his wife and best friend, as well as his sons Billy (Jessica) and Jason (Lynn). He was the proud grandfather of William and David, and Victoria and Eliza. He will be fondly remembered by cousins David, Robert, Helen, Fred, Marnie-Lynn, Nancy, Janie and Roy as well as many other friends and family.
Bill lived a rich and full life. He worked for many years with the family business, Greaves Jams and Marmalades, alongside his grandfather (William), father (Lord Mayor of Upper Canada 1949-1961), sister, and many other family members. He also coached both baseball and hockey teams in the Niagara area, and had a love for all sports. He met Judith at a horse show and they married in 1979 in NOTL. They would spend the next 41 years pursuing their love for horses.
Once wed, Bill and Judith opened a family equestrian farm on Niagara Stone Road, where William and Jason were born. In 1985, he decided to follow a true passion and began training thoroughbred race horses. The family relocated to Fort Erie in 1987 and would spend many years racing horses at Fort Erie Racetrack in the summer and at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida in the winter. He owned a countless number of horses and made countless long-lasting friendships during those busy years. Bill retired from training horses in 2008 and moved to Cobden. Here he spent the summers fishing Muskrat Lake while continuing the family tradition of spending the winter months in Florida.
Bill enjoyed a good game of euchre, fishing, a sunny lanai with a crossword puzzle and being with his friends and family. Often cited as having the ‘gift of the gab’, Bill enjoyed engaging and discussing any subject. He maintained regular calls with many of his friends throughout the years, which will be greatly missed by all.
Cremation has taken place. A virtual service for Bill will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Please contact the family for more information. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society (longrunretirement.com) or to the St. Catharines Church of the Deaf, care of Calvary Church, 89 Scott St., St. Catharines, ON L2N 1G8.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Westfort Chapel, 420 West Gore Street, Thunder Bay.