Obituary for Willis Barclay Frederick Boston
Willis Barclay Frederick Boston, 86, of Napanee, Ontario, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at Kingston General Hospital surrounded by his children.
Willis was born August 27, 1933 in Bishop Mills, Ontario to Robert and Effie (See) Boston. He was the second of three children. Willis was predeceased by his younger sister Edith and is survived by his older brother Dr. (Robert) Wesley Boston. Willis was a loving father to seven children - Angela, Marilyn (Jim), Stephen (Rachel), Robert (Toni), David (Pina), Andrew (Marie-Josee), Brad (Andrea) and cherished grandfather to 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Willis is survived by his first wife and mother to his seven children, Shirley (Armstrong) Boston and his second wife Sandra (nee Brooks) Boston formerly Pixley and her children Ted (Tracy) and Tim (Krista-Lynn) Pixley.
With his outgoing way, high energy, and ability to always see the bright side, Willis took on not one but three careers simultaneously; raising a large active, and ultimately accomplished family; achieving professional success as Director of Education for Lennox & Addington School Board; and operating a full-time farm operation into his eighties.
Willis enjoyed sports – any and all sports as a competitive participant or spectator. In his younger years he was a top athlete and excelled at hockey, baseball and track and field – “Whiz”. Willis loved to find a frozen pond and put on the blades. He passed on his athletic genes to his children and grandchildren and spent countless hours coaching and watching them play various sports.
Willis loved children. He was committed to and enthusiastic about creating a strong educational environment. Willis’ education accomplishments were focussed on becoming the best educator that he could - BA, BEd, M.Ed, and Inspectors Papers. By his retirement in 1997, Willis had spent ~ 41 years in all areas of education in many regions of Southern Eastern Ontario – teacher, principal, Professor at Teacher’s College, Consultant with the Ministry of Education, Superintendent, and Director. A wing at the Grandview Public School, Manvers was named after Willis as a testament to his commitment.
At the end of the day though, Willis liked to do nothing better than grab a pail of salt and head out to count his cattle. When he wasn’t working on the land, tending to the cattle or getting the crops off – he was fixing the equipment that may have suffered a little bit from going too fast. He loved the outdoors and was just as happy outside enjoying mother nature as inside.
Willis had an uncanny ability to speak to and connect with people from all walks of life. He was genuinely interested in learning, understanding and kind to all. Willis, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa will be missed greatly by so many, but our memories are strong, and we know that he has left the world a much better place!
Willis’ family would like to extend a special thank you to all of Dad’s incredible caregivers that were so kind and loving to Dad.
Visitation for Willis will be held on Friday January 10th at the Wartman Funeral Home, 448 Camden Road, Napanee from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. On Saturday January 11th visitation will be held at the Wartman Funeral Home between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM followed by A Celebration of Life Service from 11:00 AM to Noon and a light lunch. A private interment will be held for family only.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Willis was born August 27, 1933 in Bishop Mills, Ontario to Robert and Effie (See) Boston. He was the second of three children. Willis was predeceased by his younger sister Edith and is survived by his older brother Dr. (Robert) Wesley Boston. Willis was a loving father to seven children - Angela, Marilyn (Jim), Stephen (Rachel), Robert (Toni), David (Pina), Andrew (Marie-Josee), Brad (Andrea) and cherished grandfather to 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Willis is survived by his first wife and mother to his seven children, Shirley (Armstrong) Boston and his second wife Sandra (nee Brooks) Boston formerly Pixley and her children Ted (Tracy) and Tim (Krista-Lynn) Pixley.
With his outgoing way, high energy, and ability to always see the bright side, Willis took on not one but three careers simultaneously; raising a large active, and ultimately accomplished family; achieving professional success as Director of Education for Lennox & Addington School Board; and operating a full-time farm operation into his eighties.
Willis enjoyed sports – any and all sports as a competitive participant or spectator. In his younger years he was a top athlete and excelled at hockey, baseball and track and field – “Whiz”. Willis loved to find a frozen pond and put on the blades. He passed on his athletic genes to his children and grandchildren and spent countless hours coaching and watching them play various sports.
Willis loved children. He was committed to and enthusiastic about creating a strong educational environment. Willis’ education accomplishments were focussed on becoming the best educator that he could - BA, BEd, M.Ed, and Inspectors Papers. By his retirement in 1997, Willis had spent ~ 41 years in all areas of education in many regions of Southern Eastern Ontario – teacher, principal, Professor at Teacher’s College, Consultant with the Ministry of Education, Superintendent, and Director. A wing at the Grandview Public School, Manvers was named after Willis as a testament to his commitment.
At the end of the day though, Willis liked to do nothing better than grab a pail of salt and head out to count his cattle. When he wasn’t working on the land, tending to the cattle or getting the crops off – he was fixing the equipment that may have suffered a little bit from going too fast. He loved the outdoors and was just as happy outside enjoying mother nature as inside.
Willis had an uncanny ability to speak to and connect with people from all walks of life. He was genuinely interested in learning, understanding and kind to all. Willis, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa will be missed greatly by so many, but our memories are strong, and we know that he has left the world a much better place!
Willis’ family would like to extend a special thank you to all of Dad’s incredible caregivers that were so kind and loving to Dad.
Visitation for Willis will be held on Friday January 10th at the Wartman Funeral Home, 448 Camden Road, Napanee from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. On Saturday January 11th visitation will be held at the Wartman Funeral Home between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM followed by A Celebration of Life Service from 11:00 AM to Noon and a light lunch. A private interment will be held for family only.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.