Wilford Charles Wheeler

Passed away peacefully at York Central Hospital, Richmond Hill, Ontario after a short illness on Monday August 6, 2007 in his 86th year. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Patricia Isobel Treleaven and his daughter Evelyn Elizabeth (Rod) Hudgin. Loving father of Susan (Allan) Beattie, Jane Mawson and Charles (Laurie) Wheeler. Cherished grandfather of Sean (Jenn), Karen, Mark (Cara), Ryan, Melanie, Jodie, David, Christopher, Kevin and Scott. Blessed by great-grandchildren Emily, Jacob and Baby Whitehead about to join this world. Loving brother of Eldon and Eric and sister Helena, Marilyn and Norma and predeceased by his sister Lovell.

Born in 1922, Wilf grew up in the Long Branch/High Park area of Toronto and enlisted in the RCAF in 1942. He served as a Flying Officer and trained in Summerside P.E.I. On June 6, 1945 he married his high school sweetheart and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1949. A volunteer at Christie St. and Sunnybrook Hospitals, he joined the Workmen's Compensation Board in 1950. Retired after 32 years of dedicated service with the Board, Wilf was the WCB's Chief Statistician and was instumental in statistically linking exposure to asbestos and silica dust to the health of miners and the recognition of Asbestosis and Silicosis as compensable industrial diseases in Ontario.

He served in the Military Reserve from 1958 - 1969. Major W.C. Wheeler, became the C.O. of No. 2 Intelligence Training Company, C Int C from 1966 - 1969. In 1981 he obtained his pilot's licence and again took to the sky. He had a passion for flying, golf, Canada, family and friends. Wilf will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially his friends in Brighton, Ontario and the staff and residents of Hilltop Retirement Residence.

The family will receive friends and family at the R.S. Kane Funeral Home (6150 Yonge Street, at Goulding, south of Steeles), North York, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 pm on Wednesday August 8, 2007. A celebration of Wilf's life will take place at R.S. Kane on Thursday at 1 pm. Interment to follow at Hartman Cemetery, Mt. Albert (Davis Drive, East of Hwy 48). As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario .

Dad, you will be in our hearts forever