William Maxwell McCarthy

RCAF Veteran and former Vancouver Sun Reporter

Passed away at Lakeridge Health-Oshawa, on Friday, November 19th in his 87th year. Bill is survived by his wife Ingeborg (nee Jan), daughter Joanne and her husband Steve Yuill, daughter Maureen and her husband David Lang, and also by sister Marion. He will be sadly missed by grandchildren Heather, Ashley, Colin, Andrew, Alexander and Matthew. Bill was born in Toronto on January 4th, 1924. After attending various public schools in Toronto, in 1941, Bill enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17, describing it as "the happiest day of my life". After the war, Bill attended the University of Toronto, where he studied Law and received his B.A. A love of writing led Bill to a career as reporter for a number of papers including The Windsor Star, The Canadian Observer, and the News Chronicle of Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay). In 1954, William moved his young family to the West Coast where he first wrote for the Victoria Daily Colonist and then for the next ten years at the Vancouver Sun. Gaining recognition as a brilliant writer as well as for his acting skills, Bill was tapped by Screen Gems to be host and moderator of a new round-table discussion show called "People in Conflict", which was filmed in Vancouver. Older viewers of the nationally broadcasted show may recall Bill's signature dark hair and moustache. Upon the show’s cancellation after a four year run on the West Coast, Bill moved his family back to Toronto in late '69, where Bill wrote for the CBC. After his stint with CBC, the family moved down the highway to Oshawa, where Bill taught journalism and T.V. production at Durham College. Leaving Durham College in the mid-seventies, Bill went back to studying law and paralegal work, while occasionally guest writing articles for local papers pretty much into his late seventies. Bill was an intelligent, articulate, insightful, always controversial individual. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Friends may call at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West, Oshawa (905-721-1234) for a Celebration of Bill’s life on Wednesday, November 24th at 3:00 P.M. Donations to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre would be greatly appreciated.