Obituary of William Gordon Francis

Dr. William Gordon Francis, 82 MD, FRCS(C) On Sunday, June 3, 2012, with his adoring wife by his side, we lost a very dear husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He was predeceased by his parents, Eleanore and Gordon Francis, and his sister, Beth Allan Stobie. Loving husband of Leona Susan (Bunny), father of Lea, John and William, grandfather of four, brother to Judith Hunter Kilbourne, favourite uncle of two generations of Stobies, Hunters, Lepkis and Cumings. His memory will be cherished forever by all! Bill had a huge heart, was very bright and witty, and had an awesome sense of humour. During his medical career, he brought into the world over 8,000 babies. Our Bill was born in Toronto in 1930; he graduated with honours from University of Toronto Schools in 1948, the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 1954, and received his Fellowship in 1959. A highly skilled Obstetrician and Gynecologist, with energy, wit and wisdom, he became Chief of his department and then Chief of Staff of what was then the York Finch General Hospital, now Humber River Regional Hospital. He loved his family deeply! He truly enjoyed skiing, golfing, scuba diving, gardening, and traveling the world with Bun. His passion for life continued right up to the onset of lung cancer, which, thank God, was a brief journey! He will be so missed by his dear wife, his puppies, his friends and his family. "Exactly!" We all love you, Willy The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14. Funeral Service will be held in CHRIST CHURCH DEER PARK, 1570 Yonge Street, Toronto on Friday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m. If desired, donations in memory of Dr. William G. Francis may be made to the Humber River Regional Hospital Foundation, 2175 Keele Site, 7th Floor, Toronto M6M 3Z4 or to the University of Toronto Schools, Class of 1948 Bursary Fund, 371 Bloor Street West, Toronto M5S 2R7. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.