BOCHOVE o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-06-18 published
William Turner
CROWE
By Danielle
BOCHOVE
Wednesday,
June 18, 2003 - Page A24
Father, grandfather, husband and friend. Born September 16, 1911,
in Toronto. Died May 24, 2003, in Toronto of pneumonia, aged
If life were fair, its length would be a function of how well
it was lived. For William Turner
CROWE, 91 years was not nearly
long enough. He embodied the claim that age is a state of mind.
Family often joked that he was "just a big kid," but it was true.
Throughout his life, he somehow managed to hold on to the very
best qualities of childhood. A clear-eyed enthusiasm for the
world, the expectation that each day would hold something to
enjoy, the drive to learn anything: astronomy, history, Formula
One trivia, mechanics, archeology, snooker.
I remember him commenting, as an old man, on the colour of a
stone: how smooth it was, and flat, before skipping it across
the water with a fluid vigour. Tobogganing one perfect Christmas
Day - he was in his 80s -- he took on a giant. When the toboggan
finally flipped, three-quarters of the way down, he was briefly
airborne before landing in a heap of laughter and powder. Later,
while the younger riders moaned over their aches, he crowed that
he hadn't had so much fun in such a long time.
His life seemed to have a disproportionate amount of fun -- and
yet it wasn't easy. The Depression and the Second World War were
among its defining events. His mother, accepting the threat of
disinheritance, had severed all ties with England by marrying
a pub owner and moving to Canada. Money was tight. My grandfather
remembered spending days staring through a shop window as a boy
at a model train he could never afford. Perhaps that's why, as
an adult, he sought out chances to fill the needs of children.
Money was given to all of us for university, college and first
houses.
My grandmother told me another story recently about a lunch with
my grandfather just a few years ago. At a nearby table some young
men were laughing and joking and he watched them with pleasure,
commenting that they seemed like "such nice boys." When it came
time to leave, he quietly paid for their meal and left the restaurant
before they could find out. A small gesture, but typical of hundreds
delivered over 91 years with a generosity of spirit unmatched
by anyone except his wife.
His marriage to Edith Dorothy
MARK was the most important event
of his life. He would pick her up for dates on a motorcycle,
much to the shock of the neighbours, but was always a gentleman.
He proposed on a ski hill one frosty evening; she says she couldn't
wait to get inside to see the ring. In 63 years of marriage,
no one ever saw them treat each other with anything but tenderness
and respect; each always put the other first.
He was born in Toronto and lived there his entire life. His elder
brother Clifford married my grandmother's sister Jo and the four
of them were inseparable, traveling together often after their
children were grown. A "methods man," he was forced into early
retirement -- a blow his family feared would kill him -- but
rallied back, focusing his skills on rearranging my grandmother's
kitchen for optimum efficiency, along with most of the other
systems in the house. At the age of 72 he underwent a triple
bypass and amazed the doctors with his determination to recover.
I still remember trotting beside him on his daily walk; he could
do five kilometres in under an hour. The surgery bought him almost
20 more precious years.
I can say unequivocally that he is the most extraordinary man
I've ever known. To have lived 91 years, fully. Participating,
giving, with an enthusiasm and crackling curiosity that defied
even Alzheimer's until the end. When memory failed, he still
commented on his great-granddaughter's blue eyes. In the end,
William was extraordinary in the example he set of how an ordinary
man can live.
Danielle BOCHOVE is William
CROWE's granddaughter.
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BOCK o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-06-04 published
Joan HANER (née
BOCK)
After a courageous struggle with cancer on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at the age of 68.
Beloved wife of Harold for 25 years. Cherished mother of Jim
STEWARD/STEWART/STUART
(Debbie,)
Bud STEWARD/STEWART/STUART, Debbie
WHALEN (Terry), Lorrie
STADNISKY (Steve), Heather
BOUCHARD
(Eric), Shelley
SAGHAFI (Abdi), Kevin
STEWARD/STEWART/STUART (Liz) and Pamela
BORETZ.
Loving grandmother of 27 and great grandmother of 21. Sister of Ruth
STEELE
(Jim,)
Rosella HARRISON
(Orville) and Evelyn
TARABAS (Pete.)
Daughter of the late
Ernest and stepdaughter of Frances
BOCK.
Aunt to several nieces and
nephews. Friends called the Arthur Funeral Home and Cremation Centre
on Friday, May 30, 2003. The funeral service was held on Saturday
May 31 with Reverend Phil
MILLER officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery.
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BOCK o@ca.on.manitoulin.howland.little_current.manitoulin_expositor 2003-08-06 published
Evelyn Iris
DEVER-
BOCK
In loving memory of Evelyn Iris
DEVER-
BOCK who passed away on Saturday, August 2,
2003 at Extendicare Falconbridge, Sudbury at the age of 93 years.
Beloved wife of Clifford
DEVER (predeceased) and Melvyn
BOCK (predeceased.)
Loved mother of Herman and wife
Nora
DEVER of Sudbury, Iris and husband
Norman WHISSEL of Edmonton, Dan and wife
Bev
DEVER of Sudbury and Norman
and wife Bev
DEVER of Lively. Fondly remembered by many grandchildren and
great grandchildren. Evelyn was an avid curler and will always be
remembered for her large garden and raspberry patch in Little Current.
Visitation from 11: 00 am until Funeral Service at 2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 6, 2003. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery.
Arrangements in care of Island Funeral Home.
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