William George

Cox

With broken hearts, the family of William Cox announces his passing after a courageous battle with cancer. An avid runner and competitor, Bill ran his final race on November 9th at the age of 83. 

He is survived by the love of his life of over 60 years, Linda (St. Michael), his sons Stephen (Jenny) and Michael (Elizabeth), daughter Christine (David) and adoring grandchildren Nate, Will, Dylan, Leo, Clara, Jack and Lily. Bill had many roles over his lifetime, but being “Pa” was the one he most cherished. He leaves behind his life-long golf partner and best friend, his twin brother Bob, and siblings Jim, Jane, Don, George, and Cathy.

 He was predeceased by his parents Dr. George Cox (DVM) and Hilda Cox of Renfrew, and by his younger brother Peter.

Bill’s hospital room overflowed during his final days with his extended family and friends, a testament to how deeply he was loved by so many. Bill touched the lives of thousands of students during his 35 years as a history teacher at Carleton Place High School. Even though Bill retired 30 years ago, we continue to have former students stop to tell us about their positive experiences in his classroom, his inspirational one-liners, his high standards, his sense of humour, his passion for nurturing critical thinkers, and his gift for seeing potential in all his students, especially those who didn’t see it in themselves.

In the comforting words of one of Bill’s favourite poets, Emily Dickinson, “Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.”

Donations to the oncology floor toy room at CHEO, which held a special place in Bill’s heart, would be appreciated.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Grace Christou, Bill’s hematologist at the Ottawa General Leukemia Program, whom he greatly admired and enjoyed chatting with, and Dr. Maria Bastin-Millar, Bill’s family doctor, whose care, compassion and sense of humour he was so lucky to have received.

 We would also like to thank Lizzie Brunton and Andrea Cesario at the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital who went above and beyond and made Bill feel so cared for. Thanks also to Dr. Safaie as well as all the wonderful nurses at CPDMH for their gentle care of Bill and all of us during his final days.

The family will host a Celebration of Life golf tournament with a reception and dinner at Pakenham Highlands Golf Club in the spring.