Obituary of William Trotter

Passed away on October 19, 2013 at his Kitchener residence at the age of 79 years. Survived by his wife Jean (Alexander) of 53 years. Father of Michael (Helen), of Baden, and Robert (Brenda) of Waterloo. Grandfather to Stephanie, Kylie, Jessica and Alex. Brother to Jean Gregg (Terry) and Olive Brown of Toronto and brother Robin (Catherine) in Portadown N. Ireland. Predeceased by sister Frances Fisher (Bobby) of Portrush, N. Ireland. Survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces throughout the world, including: Heather Moreland (Ken) and family in Guelph, Patricia Ball (David) in Milton, Christopher Brown (Allisha), Toronto, Berrie Brown, Vancouver and numerous relatives far and wide in Belfast, Scotland, England, Florida, New Zealand and Switzerland. Bill was born on August 4, 1934 at Hazelwood, north of Belfast, fourth child of William J.C Trotter, carpenter, house builder and hotel owner and Edith S. Berry. His grandfather, Francis Trotter, a ships carpenter, worked and sailed (momentarily) on the Titanic. He was educated at Belfast Royal Academy and Queen's University Belfast, graduating in 1957 with a BSc I civil engineering. He immigrated to Canada the following year and was admitted into the Assoc. of Prof. Engineers of Ontario. He met and married Jean Janet Alexander of Southampton, England in 1960, in Toronto. Bill worked most of his career in consulting engineering, becoming a senior bridge designer with Proctor and Redfern in Toronto, Dillon in London Ont. and Ainley Assoc. in Collingwood where he was Vice-Pres. for 22 years. His final years before retirement in 1998 were with Conestoga-Rovers, consulting engineers in Waterloo. In all, Bill was responsible for the design of some 50 bridges and large culverts and numerous other structures throughout southern Ontario. Bill and his family resided in Stayner for 36 years before finally moving to Waterloo Region in 2003. In community life he was very active, including Past Pres. of the following: Collingwood United Way, Rotary Club of Collingwood and Queen's University Belfast Alumni Assoc. of Ontario and more recently Past-Pres. of Kitchener-Waterloo Men's Probus Club. In Stayner he reactivated the Cubs and Scouts and started minor soccer where he became a coach and carded referee. He was a life member of Stayner Masonic Lodge Northern Light #266 (Master in 1980), Past Grand Steward—Freemasons of Ontario and member of Waterloo County Shriners Club. Bill and his wife Jean were charter members of Mad River Golf Club and 50-year members of the Craigleith Ski Club. Bill loved Corgi dogs and watching soccer and golf on television. He was an avid reader, liked to travel and to putter about at the ski cabin he built at Craigleith, doing a bit of gardening there as often as possible in summer. Friends are invited to share their memories of Bill with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Masonic Service will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home. The funeral service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home, Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 2 p.m. with Fr. Mario Hryniewicz officiating. Reception to follow in the fireside room of the funeral home. A private family interment will take place on Monday at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo. Condolences for the family and donations to St. Mary's Hospital may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445. Special thanks to the Waterloo Region EMS, the Waterloo Regional Police, the Kitchener Fire Department and Drs. Saban and Rinni for all the care and support given to Bill.