It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Phelan, the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Toronto East, and the father of our Past District Governor Mike Phelan (Rotary Club of Toronto East), and the grandfather of Christine Phelan White (Rotary Club of Toronto Twilight).
Bill to all who knew him, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2017, three weeks short of his 96th birthday......
Bill was born in 1922 in Toronto and could endlessly tell you the history of the city he loved. He was a WWII veteran, a man proud to have served his country. Remembrance Day always had a special place in his heart. Life is for the living, so Bill immersed himself in a successful business career and in volunteer work for the Catholic Church and a vast number of other charities and community organizations.
Not only was he the Charter President of Toronto East Rotary Club and a very dedicated Rotarian, known by many Rotarians in District 7070, Bill also served on the boards of Providence Villa, Variety Village, Good Shepherd Refuge, Riverdale Hospital, Fred Victor Mission and Seven Oaks. To the very end, he found ways to raise funds for all of these organizations. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage donations to Variety Village, the Rotary Foundation or the charity of your choice.
A Metro Toronto Police Honour Guard was on hand during the visitation that took place at McDougall & Brown Funeral Home, 2900 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, and at the Mass of Christian Burial that took place on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at St. Paul's Basilica, and Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Our deepest sympathies to Past District Governor Mike, and Bev and granddaughter Christine.