I was very pleased when my niece Debi (the flower girl at Bill & Georgie’s wedding) recently suggested a lunch meeting with Bill MacDonald, a friend and an employee of my Dad's at C.M Richardson Furniture / Tasco Distributors from so many years ago. I had not seen Bill in a very long time. In fact, I think the last time I saw him briefly was at my brother Jack's funeral, which was almost 30 years ago. 
I knew Bill was a great family man, with his lovely wife Georgina and his kids, so  I was not really surprised that we found him at the very same house on Tollerton Avenue I remembered from maybe 50-60 years ago. We had a very pleasant lunch and it was great reconnecting with him, his wife and his daughter, Bonnie.   It was obvious they were all pitching in to provide steady, loving care for Georgie in her declining phase of life. The house, where they raised their children, was full of nick-knacks and love, obviously accumulated over a very long period of time.  Bill was the quintessential family man.
Over a pleasant lunch, I especially enjoyed the story he told me about the day my father (Charlie Richardson) hired him. Apparently my Dad encouraged Bill by telling him that he could make quite a bit more money than even he thought he could, and that was just like my Dad, who encouraged all his salesman to do very well. And Bill sure did do well!
As a sometime employee at my Dad's store, I would frequently run into Bill off and on in my teens and twenties. In addition to his dedication to his family, I remember Bill's passionate interest in golf and coaching swimming.  And I remember one more thing about him: he was one of the first to buy this strange new vehicle called the Volkswagen Beetle, and Bill, ever the consummate, persuasive salesman, was terrific at singing its praises to me, making it sound almost like a tiny Cadillac! We went golfing together that day and as usual, my balls, while maybe going far, were spraying all over the place, while Bill quietly and methodically put the ball straight in the fairway and on the green. He absolutely clobbered me on the score pad.  Still, he was quite gracious, offering me encouragement and a few tips here and there, but not so many as to make me feel like a complete klutz. 
Bill was a terrific salesman in every sense of the word and knew how to put others at ease, always demonstrating a genuine interest in YOU.  His skills went way beyond selling appliances, and I now realize that his manner and attitudes probably constituted one of my first lessons about the really important things in life: caring and paying attention to the needs and interests of others.
Bill was not a big man but certainly a man of big heart. He always had a joke, a smile and a great sense of humour and I'm sure he will be sorely missed by his many colleagues and friends, and especially by his family. 


Don Richardson on behalf of the Richardson family….Charlie, Mabel & Jack (all deceased), Millie, Debi, Grant & families.  


Although i never had the pleasure of meeting Bill, having met one of his son's I can say he did a great job raising Ross, my heart goes out to the whole family. He will be missed.

Dear Heather:

Your father was a great man, who raised happy children who went on to be successful in life: all are kind and giving.

Your parents were the dream team... and I have many nice memories playing in your basement and swimming in the pool.

Love never dies... and I think you know that. Condolences during this tough time.

See you soon
Love Kathy

My sincerest condolences to the family of Coach Mac! I swam under him at NYAC in the 80s. He was a dedicated and fun coach. He will be missed by all. 
Deneen Cole-Ashbury 

My thoughts and prayers to Bonnie and her family on the passing of your father Mr. MacDonald.
I'm sure he will be sadly missed. 
In reading the beautiful Obituary you will have cherished memories of a great man.
Sincerely 
Rosemary Jaggernauth 


My condolences to his family. Coach Mac took first year kids who had never trained and turned them into champions by the time they graduated. I will remember his inspirational talks forever. He was a big influence on my life and I grateful for his unselfish dedication to training so many swimmers morning and afternoon. I am amazed at the enormous amount of time he volunteered to help kids at York Mills. But after reading his lovely obituary I am not surprised. He was never one to do anything halfway.  

Sorry to hear of the loss of our beloved high school swim coach, "Mac". He inspired us to really love swimming and instilled in us the belief/realization that it was a sport we could continue to do and enjoy over a lifetime.  Sincere condolences to Bill's family.

Ross, I can't count the nights that your basement was my home after a late practice. Never once did your parents do anything but welcome me, (and feed me), even when it was morning before they knew I was there. I can honestly say that I always felt like family and both your mom and dad treated me as such. So many fond memories live on with me, as I'm sure they do with you and your family. 


Ross and family - sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I always enjoyed my interactions with him over the years. He was not the typical 'Toronto sterotype'. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

What a beautifully written obituary. Your father was a very accomplished gentleman. It was a pleasure reading about his wonderful life. I look forward to seeing the family on May 2nd. 
Please know that you are in my thoughts.

OBITUARY

James William Macdonald

23 February, 1932 – 22 February, 2017

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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