Paul Strachan Bird Wilson

Paul Strachan Bird (PSB) Wilson passed away at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on January 4, 2026, just 17 days shy of his 87th birthday, with his wife Gillian and daughter Robyn both at his side.

Paul was born in Orpington, England. As the son of a soldier killed in action, he was eligible for educational opportunities throughout the British Commonwealth. He attended Rossall School where he was an outstanding athlete, excelling in cricket, rugby, and squash. Growing up without a father, sports became his parents, and he embodied the qualities and values that sports provided him.

As a young man, he served two years of National Service in the British Royal Navy, traveling aboard the HMS Vidal to destinations like the West Indies—an experience that sparked his path to leadership.

He attended Trinity College at the University of Toronto. Nicknamed by his teammates as “The Golden Toe” for his abilities as a kicker, he was honoured with the Biggs Trophy for his athletic prowess. He also met future Trent University founder Professor Tom Symons and Professor Michael Treadwell, connections which later led to him to Trent.

He returned to England where he was employed by Harvey’s Bristol cream. With encouragement from Treadwell, among others, he applied for a position with a fledgling post-secondary athletics program, becoming the founding Director of Athletics and Recreation at Trent University in 1966. His relationships with his students—treating them as equals, showing kindness and genuine care, and going above and beyond to support them—has been an inspiration to countless athletes, coaches, teachers, and mentors.

Before leaving England, he married Gillian Watson whom he met when they were both coaching Squash at an athletic club in Bristol. Their nuptials took place on the very day England won the World Cup, Paul needing to be coaxed away from the television by his future mother-in-law. Once in Canada, he built the Athletics program at Trent around the pillars of Sport for All, Fair Play, and Respect for Officials, while Gillian greatly enriched Peterborough's performing arts community and raised their two children, Robyn and John. The Wilsons' house was where all their school friends wanted to congregate for the warmth of the welcome.

In 1996, the Trent University Alumni Association established the PSB Wilson Bursary recognizing Paul’s 30 years of service to the Trent community. Upon his retirement in 2002, the PSB Wilson Fund for Athletics and Recreation was launched; this endowment fund provides improvements to facilities, equipment and programs on an annual basis. Paul’s retirement was marked by extraordinary recognition: Trent named its Athletics building in his honour and awarded him both the Eminent Service Award and the Symons Teaching Award, making him the only person in Trent’s history to receive both distinctions on the same day.

Shining through his many accomplishments—including service as a municipal elected official and a community television host—was his rich humanity, abundant kindness, and love of laughter and fellowship.

In recognition of his civic and athletic leadership, Paul was inducted into the Pathway of Fame Peterborough and District in 2016, the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, and the University of Toronto’s Hall of Fame in 2003.

Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” describes the qualities a son must have to become a man. These two in particular are standout qualities of PSB Willy Wilson: “If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.” “If you can walk with a crowd and keep your virtue or walk with kings nor lose the common touch.”

This was Paul in every situation; he was himself. Admired for his total lack of self-consciousness. Comfortable in his own skin. No pretense. When announced that he was to appear in a Peterborough Theater Guild production, tickets would sell out immediately. Audiences will never forget his performance as ‘Master of the House’ in Les Misérables, appearing alongside his lovely wife, Gillian. Some say that to appear on stage you need to be a good actor, but once again, he was simply playing himself… and he would bring the house down.

He was a great speaker and motivator, without realizing the impact he was having. He was, once again, just being Paul Wilson. If you had the pleasure of hearing him speak, you listened. The chances were very high that he was going to mention you in his next sentence.

He wasn’t interested in worldly goods, preferring to spend his energy on people, with people, and helping so many achieve their potentials. In any given situation—be it a birthday, a match, or enjoying a beer with you at the pub—he made you feel included and special, even if there were another hundred people in the room. This rare gift was delivered with care, precision, and a wonderful sense of humour, humour delivered with skill and perfect timing.

Paul’s outlook on life was very simple: if you were in the worst storm or a major crisis, his attitude was that the sun would come out very soon. This had such a powerful impact on those around him. His presence in any room was palpable, not because he was there but because of the way he made you feel.

He will be greatly missed by Gillian, his children Robyn (and Neil) and John, and grandchildren Farrah, Summer, and Sacha, along with family and friends in California and the UK. Paul will also be fondly remembered by decades of friends made through The Peterborough Theatre Guild, Peterborough Squash Club, Peterborough Rugby Club, and through the long lasting and influential effect he had on the many kids that came in and out of 28 Weller Cres. Trent Alumni will be saddened not to see him at the Head of the Trent Regatta, and many citizens of Peterborough will look in vain for him at the local pub.

His legacy speaks volumes and will stand the test of time. Paul was like a stone-in-the-lake: when it enters the water, it makes a big splash, and everyone sits up to takes notice. But it’s the rippling effect that will endure with everyone who had the pleasure of having him in their life.

Bloody Marvellous, PSB Willy Wilson. Well done!

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Paul’s family would like to thank the staff in the PRHC Intensive Care Unit, especially Charlene and Lesley. Their care for Paul was simply outstanding!

A celebration of Paul’s legacy will be held in the spring. Details will be shared when they are available.

Donations can be made to the PSB Wilson Fund for Athletics and Recreation at Trent University (https://www.trentu.ca/psbwilsonfund) or the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society (https://www.lakefieldanimalwelfare.org/donate/).