Passed away at home peacefully, in the loving company of his family, on November 28th, 2014 at the age of 90. “Sweet William” was born on Michigan St. in Victoria, BC on December 29th, 1923 to Charles Leo and Helen Ferguson. Predeceased by his 2 younger sisters Edith and Yvonne, Bill is survived by his eldest sister, Helen; Mary, his loving wife of 68 years; his 4 children, Brian, Mark (Lori), Lloyd (Roberta) and Marianna Fiocco (Nick); his 9 grandchildren, Lani, Joseph, Kristen, Graeme, Carly, Tara, Dana, Marc and Dante and his great-grandchildren, Lola, Gracie and Nino. He will be dearly missed by many other relatives, friends, past employees and colleagues. After graduating from Victoria High School, Bill joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a wireless operator and served for his Country in WWII. Upon returning, he joined Canadian Pacific Steamships, plying the waters of the West Coast from Seattle to Alaska for 10 years. He worked as a Purser and later in the Victoria ticket office. In 1945, Bill met Mary while she was a nursing student at St. Joseph’s Hospital and they wed in 1946. He worked for Blaney’s Travel for several years and in 1963, founded Totem Travel Service. Bill was a prominent member of the business community in Victoria and a proud member of Rotary, Gyro, Capital City Executives Assoc., Sales & Marketing Executives and SKAL club. He was President of the Victoria Cougars Junior “A” Hockey Club in the late 60’s. In his leisure time, his love of the water would find him spending many years on the “Strega” and “San Pio” fishing and boating with friends and family. He also enjoyed golfing as a long time member of the Uplands Golf Club, curling at Playland and Victoria Curling Clubs and loved playing cards with family members (which partially funded his retirement!) but hated losing. He was a gentleman, had a brilliant mind for business and was sharp to his last breath. Special thanks to the Royal Oak Palliative Care Team.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in McCall’s Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory would be appreciated to the Salvation Army. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
16 Responses
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Bill was always the gentleman and a great guy to work for. He was also very lucky to have such a great family. We will miss him at the family gatherings. Love to you all.
With my sincere condolences to the Ferguson family. I have so many great memories of working for Bill at Totem Travel Service (Mayfair), and all of the laughter that was shared by staff members on a regular basis. He was a true gentleman and I wish each of you every blessing at this difficult time. Wherever his next journey may be… it will be a brighter place for his being there.
Our condolences to the Ferguson family. You all were so fortunate to have had so many wonderful years and memories together. Something that will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with all of you and we too share in your loss.
Dear Mary, Lloyd and Brian
We were so sorry to hear about Bill. We have a lot of great memories of your family and know you will miss him.
Mary & Ferguson Family
Holding you close in our thoughts and praying that memories of Bill bring you peace and comfort.
Our sincere condolences.
Mark, Adele & Family
Lloyd, Bobbie, Mary and the rest of the Fergusons, we are deeply sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time and will always cherish our memories of Bill as a strong presence at those Christmas dinners.
Love,
Don, Brigitte, Gabrielle and Emily Nichol
My sincere condolences to the Ferguson family. Mr. Ferguson was a true gentleman who always had a smile for others. My thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time.
Sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mary and the Ferguson Family members, thinking of you all, we share in your loss.
With great sympathy,
Pierina Fiocco and Family
Our sincere condolences to the whole Ferguson Clan and our utmost respect for the great job you did in keeping your Dad in his home as he said goodbye to this world…..
A strong and mighty man may now rest on his laurels after a lifetime of great achievements.
Our thoughts are with you all,
Dena and Bruce Nicholby
Lloyd and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. All of you are in our thoughts right now.
Sincerely,
Annette, Shelley, Kim, Angie and Karen