William Austin MacDougall
April 12, 1938 – July 12, 2020
Bill passed away peacefully after a short illness on July 12, 2020 in the QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, in his 83rd year. He was the son of Austin Everett and Viola May {Sangster} MacDougall of Bedford, NS. Bill was born on April 12, 1938 in Halifax and lived with his family in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia through the war years before the family moved to Windsor Junction and then Bedford. After finishing high school, Bill worked at the National Research Council labs in Halifax. This confirmed his interest in science, and he completed a BSc at Dalhousie University majoring in Chemistry. In addition to science, Bill began a life-long interest in languages, taking courses in French, German and Russian at university and after retiring, studying Spanish.
Upon graduation, Bill took a job with Shawinigan Chemical Co. in Quebec. While living and working in a French-speaking environment, Bill quickly became fluently bilingual. After 4 years in Shawinigan, Bill enrolled in Université de Montreal, obtaining a Master of Science in Chemistry in the late 1960s. For the next 7 years, he worked as an Industrial Chemist for several firms in Quebec. In 1977, Bill applied for positions with the Federal Public Service as a chemist, but to his surprise, was offered a position in the patent section of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) in Ottawa. He enjoyed the work, and was heavily involved in CIPO’s transition to modern data processing methods. He later spent time living in Montreal and Toronto, helping set up new offices to promote patent services to business and industry. Bill rose to the position of Director of Information before he retired in 2003 after 26 years with CIPO. He was well respected by his colleagues and employers. On several occasions he was seconded to the UN World Intellectual Property Office to assist in setting up intellectual property services in developing countries. His work in Vietnam, Pakistan, and West Indies were highlights of his career.
From an early age, Bill was interested in electronics, progressing from building crystal radio sets to assembling a computer, a TV set and a stereo amplifier. He had a lifelong interest in music, had an extensive collection of classical music on vinyl and CD, and attended concerts and operas at every opportunity. In later years, Bill became interested in family history and this occupied much of his time, collecting information and attending meetings and conferences. During his years in Ottawa, he enjoyed maintaining a lovely garden.
A beloved uncle, Bill was keenly interested in his extended family and kept up to date with his nieces and nephews, and their families. In recent years he greatly enjoyed visiting Australia and spending time with his family there. And after his move to Halifax about 5 years ago, he seldom missed a dance recital, concert or hockey game where a great-niece or great-nephew was involved.
Although Bill was a very private person, he loved meeting new people. From his student days and throughout his life, he formed lifelong friendships with people who held him in high esteem. He is remembered as a kind, generous, humble person and will be sadly missed by friends and family.
Bill was pre-deceased by his parents Austin and May, as well as his younger brother Peter. He is survived by Peter’s wife Gail MacDougall and their children Maeve (Mark) and Graham (Lauren), his younger brother James and his wife Margaret Ashford, and their children Jenny (Shaan) and Iain (Andrea). Bill is also survived by great-nieces and nephews Alexandre, Ella, Olivia, Dominic, Vivienne, Marzia, Zakir, Aliya, Lily, and Remy.
Bill’s family would like to thank the ICU, neurology team and staff of 7.4 at the QEII Health Sciences Centre for their care and compassion.
At Bill’s request, there will be no funeral. A private family celebration will be held later. Donations can be made in Bill’s name to the Halifax Region Children’s Aid Foundation or the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation.
April 12 1938 July 12 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de William Austin MacDougall April 12 1938 July 12 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Halifax, Province: Nova Scotia