WILLIAM “BILL” CAESAR

WILLIAM “BILL” CAESAR June 5, 1942 – October 28, 2023 We are so sad to announce the loss of Bill Caesar, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbour, teacher and friend, who was born on June 5, 1942 and passed away on October 28, 2023. Bill and the love of his life, Mary, moved to Manitoulin in 1969 (first settling in Big Lake) to take teaching jobs at the newly-opened Manitoulin Secondary School. Bill taught history and eventually became a guidance counsellor at MSS, where he spent his entire career. He truly loved and wished for the success of the Island’s young people and helped generations of Islanders find their way through school and into postsecondary education suited to their interests. He was appreciated by students and co-workers alike for his sense of humour, kindness and advice. Sometimes the main subject discussed in his office was fishing, we’ve heard that from former students quite a lot. Bill and Mary started a family in 1974 with the arrival of Michelle, followed by Michael in 1977. They were the first full-time residents of Whites Point, converting a cottage into their beautiful home of 50 years. He was a wonderful father, loving, supportive, fun and inspiring. He and Mary took their kids everywhere, from the old dump at Green Bush (followed by candy at Green Acres) to hockey and ringette games across the Island and North Shore, to London, England (Mary’s hometown) and beyond. He gave his kids and later grandkids (Riley and Jeffrey) a lifelong love of the North Channel. Bill embraced retirement with enthusiasm, developing interests in Manitoulin and area history and geology, as well as a passion for making things at the work bench outside his shed. He loved giving gifts: homemade feather pens, fish lure knives, fossil necklaces, pendants, axes and more. Bill was involved in preserving the island’s lighthouse heritage, and he published books and gave many talks on the swing bridge, fossils and northern boat-builders. He served on the boards of the Manitoulin hospital and the Centennial Museum in Sheguiandah, and for several summers worked as an enthusiastic tour guide to cruise ship visitors arriving in Little Current. Bill also taught several adult education courses in Wiikwemkoong and M’Chigeeng. Throughout retirement, Bill and Mary took a number of wonderful trips abroad. Highlights include Morocco, Turkey, Crete, China and of course, England, where they met. Bill truly relished his life as an Islander, but above all he was devoted to family. Without hesitation he said the best decision he made in his life was getting married to Mary, his companion and best friend for 54 years. Born to Helen and Cameron Caesar of Sarnia, Bill deeply loved his parents and his siblings, George, Mary and Eleanor, with whom he shared a lifetime of laughs and adventures, as well as Joan, Richard, Nick, Nikki, Nathaniel, David, Ben, Iain, Kath and their families. He deeply loved his son-in-law, Colin Findlater, and he was incredibly proud of and cherished his grandsons, Riley and Jeffrey, who have fallen in love with Manitoulin in no small part thanks to their grandpa. The entire Caesar family wishes to express deepest thanks and respect to the incredible health care staff at Health Sciences North and the Sudbury cancer centre (led by Dr. Gopalakrishnan), and at the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current (led by Dr. Meikleham). We will also be forever grateful for the kindness of our friends, neighbours and the community. Thank you all.