William (Bill) Alastair Rutherford
Died: April 26, 2013 | Place: Victoria Hospital
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Obituary
RUTHERFORD, William Alastair P.Eng
It is with broken hearts we have to announce the peaceful passing of William (Bill) Alastair Rutherford on April 26, 2013 forever loved by his wife Linda and devoted dad to Thomas and Heather. Son of the late Thomas Aird Rutherford (2008) and Margaret Grace Rutherford (1999) and brother Bruce Arygll Rutherford (2011). Son-in-law of Robert and Ruby Roney, brother-in-law of Ken Roney and Marilyn and Raymond Copes. Uncle to Christopher, Kevin and Colin Copes, Julie and Matt Herman and Michael Rutherford. Cousin to Dedie (Kirk) Hudson, Margie (Ernie) Tardiff and John (Jane) McKinley, Joanne Brooks and special family member Helen Rutherford. Business partner to Peter van der Westen for 40 years as Vanderwesten and Rutherford Limited and with Tony Mantecon as Vanderwesten Rutherford Mantecon. Friends for life to Cecil Wilson, John Pierce, Ken Cummings and Dave Shillington. Always in touch with one another and together they shared many unforgettable canoeing and camping trips together. Best friend to our furry friends Caoimhe, Alt, Willy and Sandy who could always count on Bill to share a treat. There is a poem about how you would describe your dash from life to death. Bill’s dash was full of devotion to his family and to his work. Thomas and Heather were the world to Bill and he was involved as much as possible with whatever they decided to take on. Seldom did Bill miss a hockey-baseball-lacrosse-soccer practice or game, horse show rain, sun or snow, or Saturday morning tutoring. Going out to the Highland with Thomas for a round of golf, or trailering Heather and her horse to a horse show were always a good day for Bill. Their world was his and he truly loved to be a part of every moment. Bill was a very proud dad to Thomas and Heather, and we are so thankful he was a big part of it. Bill was a member of the The Professional Engineers of Ontario and served on different committees as part of The Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), Councillor of the Western Region, Professional Development Committee, Discipline Committee, Councillor at Large, Audit Committee, Advisory Committee on Committees, Task Force on PEO Role in Engineering Education, Task force to Establish School Outreach Committee, Discipline and Enforcement Steering Committee, member of The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE), member of the Highland Golf and Country Club. In the Community Bill was involved with London Chapter Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Lambeth United Church, Mount Brydges Minor Hockey, Northshore Hitmen Hockey, Minor Soccer in Strathroy and Del Ko Brydge, Minor Baseball in Komoka, Poplar Hill, Strathroy and Delaware, Blue Devils Minor Lacrosse, Shadowlane Stables and Southwest Trillium Hunter Jumper Association. Thank you especially to our family, friends and neighbours, the staff of Vanderwesten Rutherford Mantecon all of whom Bill had the pleasure to work with, Dr Archie Grace, Dr Katherine Roth, Dr. Sara Kuruvilla, Medical Oncology staff of C7 at LHSC Victoria Campus, Palliative Care Team (Lynne Hughes Marsh) at LHSC, CCAC , VON, Rev. Matthew Penny, McMaster University Engineering Faculty, Medway High School Staff, Carla Paxton and our extended family at Shadowlane Stables, Physical Plant and Planning Dept of St Joseph’s Health Care London, Architectural, Consultants, Mechanical Electrical General Contracting Firms all of whom Bill enjoyed many years of working with together. Bill’s presence will be forever missed. Thank you to those who stopped in to visit Bill while he was in the hospital and at home, the cards, flowers, phone calls and emails, he really did appreciate you taking the time. A service will be held on Saturday May 4, 2013 at Lambeth United Church, 4268 Colonel Talbot Road, London, Ontario at 1:30 pm for Bill. Rev. Matthew Penny will officiate the service. Visitation of the family will follow the service, please stay and do what Bill would have wanted, visit with family and friends and share your memories. Funeral arrangements by A Millard George Funeral Home London, Ontario. Cremation has taken place. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com Donations to a charity of your choice. Life will never be the same without you Bill, you left us far too soon, we love you and miss you, Linda, Thomas and Heather.
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May friends comfort you,
Faith uphold you,
Loving memories heal your heart,
With heartfelt sympathy
John, Lesley & Chloe Herbert
My sincere condolences, my thoughts are with your family at this sad time.
It was a pleasure knowing Bill for many years. I sat in many project meetings with him over the years. He always had a special way of making everyone smile. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Bill was a great friend and roommate at Queen’s and I will always have many cherished memories of our times there and of fishing trips with Bill and John at Ken’s cottage. Faye and I were so sad to hear of his passing. Our sincere condolences go out to Linda, Thomas and Heather.
It comes with great saddness to hear of your loss -I have known Bill for many years now and he always had a few moments to stop and have a few words -thinking of you Tony V
In Memory of William (Bill) Alastair Rutherford:
Though he was two years my senior at Bell High, and closer to my sister Paula (Chill) Munro than to me, I still remember him well from the Lynwood Village days of my youth. A smart handsome young man with black hair and a winning smile. I am so happy he made it to the Bell High Reunion in October 2012 to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. My sincere condolences to his family and friends who well remember his life and sadly feel the impact of his death.
Spent many memorable years working with Bill. I am forever regretful for for his acceptance, encouragement and support during my career.
So very sorry for your loss.
We had wonderful times in Manotick with Ken&Cathy,Faye&Dave when you visited.And,those “opening of the cottage” weekends were memorable !!!
Biff and Sue.
Linda and family,
Sincere condolences
Joanne Brooking ( Bill’s cousin in Brandon MB )
I am so sad for your loss and my sincere condolences. It has been a great pleasure to know and work with Bill. Bill always had a smile and laugh to be shared with all. Thanks Bill for those memories.
Its is our sincerest wish, that during this time of immeasurable pain and loss, that moments of comfort and strength will come from knowing that his spirit now lives in each of you. Its a light that can never be distinguished and that will continue to guide you now and forever.
Although the time spent on projects together was short, you were an admirable colleague and will be missed by all.
Condolences to Linda, Thomas and Heather on their loss of a loving husband and father. You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard of Bill’s passing on Friday. We had many long car rides together that included conversations around all kinds of sports and our children……Thomas and Heather, he was very proud of you both and his love for you shone through. He will be missed as much at work as he will be at home. Take care of each other.
So very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeff, Teresa, Jessica and Ryan Bond
We are most saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. We will miss the end of driveway chats about neighborhood goings-on and the seemingless never ending growth of each of our sets of children. Our hearts go out to your family.
Linda,Thomas and Heather and am so sorry for your lose.Bill was always there to help and he will missed.
We were very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We have fond memories of archery and cross-country skiing with Bill and Linda. Our sympathies to Linda, Thomas and Heather.
We at Bayview are saddened for the loss of Bill. It was a great pleasure knowing and working with such a gentleman. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. We will make a donation to the cancer society in Bill’s name.
Dear Lida, Thomas and Heather
It has been an honour knowing Bill and sad for the loss; one of the best I have seen in my proffessional life that will certainly be missed. Please accept my condolences.
I am happy to have know Bill for over 30 years. He was a wonderful role model to all in the Engineering profession and the many people he touched, not only in the construction industry but also in the many extra-curricular activities he enjoyed so much with his family. Best wishes to Linda, Thomas and Heather at this sad time. I will remember Bill, as a man who always got it done, by looking for positive practical solutions. I will miss him.
Thomas and Heather, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Sincerely Mr. Jenney
Linda, Thomas and Heather, as well as the gang at VRM please accept my deepest condolences. Bill was a great mentor and a friend during the many hours, weeks, months and years spent working together at SJHC. He has left far too soon and he will be greatly missed.
We are so sad to hear about Bill.|Our thoughts are with all of you at this time. Sincerely, Wendy and Bob Douglas (Laura, Sarah, and John)
It was a great honor to have had Bill in our lives for many years. He was always there to lend a hand when ever needed. He took great interest in his children’s passions. Bill was at every horse show to watch Heather, and always had a treat in hand for Sandy. Bill will be greatly missed by his Shadowlane family including the animals. Our thoughts are with Linda, Thomas and Heather. Bill maybe gone but will not be forgot at Shadowlane.
Linda and family,
My sincere condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
our sincere condolences to a wonderful family linda thomas heather it was a pleasure knowing bill our thoughts with you. simon maha sam and kamal.
Bill was truly a one of a kind boss! My sincerest condolences to the Rutherford family for the loss of such an admirable man. May God bless and strengthen you, Linda, Thomas and Heather as you continue your lives without him.
Last night at 8 pm local time our thoughts were thousands of miles away with Linda, Thomas, Heather and all of Bill’s friends who were at the memorial service.
We wished we could have been there, it was a privilege to have known and worked with Bill many years ago.
Dear Linda, Thomas and Heather,
We are so sorry to hear the sad news of Bill’s (Dad’s) passing. We all remember him very fondly. Spent many years standing beside him cheering you kids on in sports and school. Treasure your memories and hug each other often.
Debley, Scott, Shannon and Sean (Ross)
Linda, Thomas and Heather-
Although we have never met, I want to pass to you my most sincere condolences on your loss, which I only learned of this morning through a BHS Reunion email. Bill and I were the very best of friends through Bell’s Corners P.S., at Woodroffe H.S., and then Bell H.S.. We worked together at Robinson’s IGA and we were joined at the hip at all times in our Lynwood Village days. When he went on to Queen’s with Ken Cummings I would regularly visit them in Kingston when I had stayed in Ottawa at Carleton. I visited Bill and Bruce and their dear mother Margaret many times after they moved on to Oakville. I was also shocked to-day to learn from this notice that Bruce had also passed away as long ago as 2011.
Bill was originally slated to be my Best Man in December of ’69, but sadly had to cancel at the last moment due to other commitments.
My own wife Barb, who always fondly remembered our times together with Bill, also passed away from cancer this past December after our 43 years together raising our own four children.
Sadly, after Bill moved-on to London, we completely lost touch with each other. I helped to organize the 25th BHS reunion and was so very disappointed that he did not make an appearance then. I had so desperately wanted to see my old best friend again.
I am so glad that he was able to attend the BHS 50th. Even though I had announced my intention to attend also, I was unable to go as Barb was hospitalized that same weekend. It’s so sad that we missed our very last opportunity to get together that one last time.
Despite our lack of contact your notice has let me know that my cherished old friend had led a truly admirable and wonderful life, and that he was deeply loved and well cared for at his passing.
I have always cherished my memories of Bill, and will continue to do so now ’til the end of my days. I’m certain that you will soon find peace within your own fond memories of such a wonderful Husband and Father.
I’m sorry that this message is so long, and that it took so long for me to send it to you, but I wanted you to know that ther are many, many others, some of them completely unknown to you, that share your grief and your pain in your loss.
A donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in Bill’s memory will be forwarded by myself and my family.
Wm. M. (Bill) Reid
Linda, Thomas and Heather – Like Bill Reid who so eloquently expressed his friendship with your Bill, I too went to Bells Corners PS, on to Woodroffe HS and then to Bell HS with your Bill. He was always a happy, friendly, helpful fellow and he obviously continued that wonderful attitude to life. I was sorry to miss him at the Bell High School 50th Reunion last fall. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
Mary Manning Jackson, class of ’65
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I worked with Bill at V&R back in the late 1980’s, before moving to California. I always though Bill was a great guy to work with. Linda, I so so sorry for your loss.
Don.
San Mateo, CA.