Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at the Sault Area Hospital on Thursday July 11th, 2024, at the age of 77.
Husband to Carol of 59 years. Son of the late Dorothy and Harry Cann and the late Harry Felstein (Papa). Wonderful father of William, Edward, Robin/Bones (Tanya), James (Julie), and Lisa (Bobby). Dad, Uncle, Best Friend & Mr. Myagi to John Curtis Cress (Tina). Special friend and "brother" to George Chuvalo. Lifelong friend of Johnny Rogers. Special friend of Yvonne, Colleen, and Jen. Special friend and brother of Dorian Baxter. Papa to Mitchell, Zack, Maggie, Melissa, Michael, Raeven, Amy, Aaron, Myra, Adara, Tala, Dakota, Nathan, and Madison. Great Papa to Myles, Levi, Koda, Mavric, Soren, Freya, Sophia, and Grace. Loving brother of Nanci (Phil), Bobby, and the late Ruth. Best Uncle to so many nieces and nephews. Brother-in-law to John, the late Merlin, the late Gerald, Joannie, Pearl, Ginger, and Marie.
Billy touched the lives of every person he came into contact with, whether it be his family, friends, colleagues, fans, and even strangers, he had a way of getting your attention, and making you feel special. Billy began his career as a Master Plumber working for various companies in Southern Ontario, as well as working for himself, with his wife Carol as his bookkeeper. He went on to coach/train boxing in Scarborough, Ontario. Billy considered the people he worked with not only as colleagues, but family. He mentored and was a father figure to many nieces and nephews, they were his family. Throughout the years prior to 1984, Billy took pride in his career as a plumber and Maintenance Manager at the Holiday Inn, in Brampton, Ontario. Although he loved and took pride in his career, his true passion was his, "Legends of Rock & Roll". For many years Billy travelled North America with his honorable tribute to the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley. In 1995, he, along with friend Dorian, brought the largest Elvis Convention in the world to Collingwood, Ontario. Billy had outstanding drive and promotional skills to make this happen. The Elvis Convention retired in 2019 after 25 successful years, touching the lives of thousands.
Thank you, dad, for your lessons, guidance, determination, strength, but most importantly, your love. One thing he instilled in his family, was to work hard, and play hard. By no means was our dad perfect, but he was perfect as he could be for his family and friends. We are FOREVER grateful. He didn't just survive on this earth, he thrived, and taught those who were ready to listen, important values and tools to be successful in life. He wanted everyone to be happy. Those lessons are forever engraved in our hearts, and his legacy will live on for eternity. We will all miss hearing you sing, your beautiful voice will be heard in the song-birds you loved so very much dad.
He was the best father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, father-in-law, friend, mentor, performer, plumber, comedian, Santa Claus, and magician, he could possibly be.
May your journey lead you to where all great legends go.
A Celebration of Life will take place at the Garden River Community Centre (7 Shingwauk Street, Garden River, ON) on Friday August 23rd, 2024, at 1:00 pm, everyone welcome.
Thank you to the Angels at the Sault Area Hospital for caring for our dad, and for everyone who visited with him, you will never be forgotten.
Donations may be made to the Garden River Food Bank – Miijim Gaaamig (payable by cheque only. Alternatively, they accept donations of food items or cash directly).
Visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to leave memories or condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).