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27 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,O ctober 8,2020 insidehalton.com HALLFORD, Reverend Stephen John ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ The Reverend Stephen John Hallford was born on May 17, 1954. He peacefully left his earthly existence on Sept- ember 27, 2020, a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning, just as the leaves were beginning to turn. A humble man, he preferred to simply be called Steve. He would never announce to any- one that he was a priest and he wasn't one to preach. He lived a good, honest, thoughtful, and gentle life that was a trem- endous comfort and example to many. Steve grew up in Oakville, went to Trent University, the University of Toronto, and fin- ally to the Vancouver School of Theology where he earned his Master's of Divinity and was soon ordained as an Anglican priest. His role in the Anglican church took him all over western Canada. Over the years he had parishes in B.C. in Lumby and Vernon, then in Alberta incl- uding Camrose, Calgary and Edmonton, and most recently at Christ Church in Flamb- orough, Ontario, behind which will be his final resting place. He chose a lovely spot in the cemetery there under a very old maple tree. Steve was happiest in nature, whether hiking in the Rockies or paddling his canoe in Musk- oka. He was a voracious rea- der, a good cook, and an even better listener. Children, adults, and animals alike were all drawn to his quietly gentle demeanor. Recently predeceased by his parents Don and Marianne, they will be waiting to wel- come him home by Christ's side. He will be deeply missed by his family; wife Nancy, daughter Emily (Albert), step- son Daniel, stepdaughter Nicole, mother-in-law Estelle Becker (the late Don Becker), sisters-in-law Leslie (Mark), Amy (Fernanda), siblings Bruce (Ziggy), Ian (Irene), Pat (Scott), grandchildren Isla and Orion, many loving nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, numerous friends, both new and old, former colleagues and parishioners. The family would like to thank the wonderful medical teams at the Juravinski Cancer Cen- ter, the VON nurses, and finally everyone at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice who took such good care of Steve until the very end. A special thank you to friend and retired Anglican priest, Peter Davison, who was a dear friend and spiritual men- tor throughout Steve's illness. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF), Christ Church (Flamborough), or the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice would be greatly appreciated. A private graveside service will take place on October 2nd with a larger celebration of his life to be announced at a later date. LEARD, William Harwood ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ William (Bill) died suddenly on September 22, 2020 at the Royal Alexandra hospital in Edmonton, Alberta where he learned on an undiagnosed cancer on Monday, September 21st. He died peacefully in his sleep. Bill was the beloved son of George Earl Leard and Elinor (Harwood) Leard (deceased), the brother of John and Katherine Leard, brother-in-law to Patti Smart-Leard and the best uncle of Max and Simon Leard, all residing in Ontario. He was born on March 25, 1951 in Indore, India where his parents were missionaries. When he was 7 years old his family moved back to Ontario and settled in Oakville in 1964. It was during the 1960's that month long summer visits to his father's family farm in Fortune Cove, Prince Edward Island and being with all his cousins, aunts and uncles there, created his love of PEI. He later said that his two favorite places in the world were Yellowknife and PEI. Bill attended the International School in Lausanne Switzerland for one year and then went to Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario where he graduated with a degree in French. While living in Ottawa Ontario he met and became good friends with an architecture student. When his friend began his career in Yellowknife, Bill soon followed and found work in construction. One of his greatest pleasures came from helping to design and build unique structures. His skills were prized by some of the leading lights of the NWT and he helped build some iconic personal residences. He greatly appreciated his opportunities to help isolated communities build their schools and other buildings. He also worked on the Blanchford Lake Lodge. He relished the challenges of such remote projects and the collaboration of working with others. He later attended school in Calgary to hone his cabinetmaker skills. He drew great satisfaction from creating many wonderful wooden objects for his family and friends. He was very proud of the display cases he built for the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. His willing- ness to help new arrivals made him life long friends. His house boat commissions continue to grace the lake and his creation of the 'anchor yanker' has become a community resource. 'Bill on the Hill' lived for more than 40 years on Joliffe Island in Yellowknife, NWT where he found the perfect home for his singular life. His generous spirit, sense of humour, innate intelligence and kindness towards others, especially his canine friends endeared him to many and made him a fixture in Old Town. His sense of fair play and strength of character supported by an extensive self taught knowledge of the law also were welcome additions to Old Town. He had a great respect for and appreciation of the local Dene who came to influence so much of his life. His colloquial use of 'n'eh when visiting the south allowed him to stay connected to the North and with a twinkle in his eye he would say that it was like the famed Canadian 'eh', but also a little bit more. Bill generously gave his time to many but especially to his family. He spent two summers framing John and Patti's home during his short northern working months and came south again during the last two winters of his father Earl's 100 year life. As he said though, it was not complete hardship because Dad had hot running water every day. His gentle, self deprecating wit will be greatly missed. Bill's ashes will be returned to Yellowknife and will be interred there also in Cascumpec, PEI. A celebration of his life will be held in Yellowknife for their support, kind words and for sharing stories of his life. Let our Expert Designers create a beautiful memorial for your loved ones. CREATIVE MEMORIALS Bring this ad in for 10% off your purchase www.creativememorials.on.ca Learn about us at: Come see our large display at: (Beside Milton Evergreen Cemetery) 200 Ontario St. S., Milton • 905-878-6522 32 41 93 0 EXPERIENCE MATTERS Probate 905.639.1222 Call The Law Firm of Green Germann Sakran OBITUARIES | REMEMBERING THE LIVES OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY A loving person, so gentle and kind; what a wonderful memory you left behind. Long days, long nights, you bore your pain. To wait for a cure, but all in vain. Till God Himself knew what was best. He took you home and gave you rest. And have you gone, forever gone and left us here to weep. Till we are called to follow you, and in the grave to sleep; yet since you could no longer stay to cheer us with your love, we hope to meet with you again in the bright world above. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. OBITUARIES