Obituary Overview
In Loving Memory
William A. Parish (January 24, 1924 – June 21, 2018) died peacefully in the garden of his beloved home since 1965 at the age of 94 ½.
He came to Ajax in 1952 to be the head of the history department of the newly opening Pickering District High School in Pickering Village. He quickly became involved in local affairs and was the Chairman of the Ajax Citizens Committee, which fought for and won the struggle to make the Improvement District of Ajax a Town with its own elected Council. He was elected to the Town’s first Council in 1955 and became its third Mayor in 1958. During his tenure as Mayor, he enacted the Town’s first Official Plan which designated the waterfront as publicly owned park space for the enjoyment of the entire community. He established its first publicly owned water filtration plant and laid the foundation of the Town of Ajax.
The first person in his family to obtain a university degree, he became an outstanding teacher, principal and retired as the Director of the Scarborough Board of Education. He was a lifelong learner who cherished children and their potential. He led and was involved with countless community organizations including the Ajax Pickering Hospital, Pickering Ajax Citizens Together, John Howard Society and numerous others.
Predeceased by his beloved wife Marny, he leaves his six children; Chris (Nadine), Steve (Rose), Jill (Steve), Julia (Blair), Joe (Jill), and Bill (Andrea), 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He loved and celebrated each one of them, because of all of his accomplishments, his family was his greatest achievement.
Forever loved and respected, he will always be missed and always be cherished.
A Community Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Ajax Community Centre, HMS Room, 75 Centennial Rd on Thursday, June 28 beginning at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation or the Alzheimer Society
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Parish 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Ajax, Province: Ontario