William Alexander Crago

William Alexander Crago, BSc, MSc Eng, PEng

(May 14, 1938 - March 9, 2025)

William “Bill”, son of Mildred Elizabeth (née Routly) and Alexander Ferguson Crago. Bill was born in Exeter, Ontario and grew up on their farm near Kirkton, Ontario. He might be described as a typical introverted “only” child yet went on to have 4 children of his own with his wife of 62 years Janis (née Webb): William Barry (Heather), Linda, Nancy (Chris Neville) and the late Rebecca “Becky” (Shawn O’Connor). Proud Grandfather of Brittany Crago (Meghan Joncas), Curtis Crago (Angela Cutaia), Sarah Lundin, Jordan Lundin (Brett Faber), Morgan Lundin (Max Knight), Jared Lundin, Ryane O'Connor (Cody Reandeau), Casey O'Connor (David Hilton), Kimara Neville and Brady Neville (Isabella Donaldson).

Bill completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Queens University '62 and his Masters of Science at University of Western Ontario '63. He went on to work at Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) for 33 years and for security reasons we aren't entirely sure what he did!

Bill was an Engineer, Coach and Mentor, Referee, Umpire, Photographer/Videographer, Woodworker, Model Train Enthusiast, Gardener, Fitness Enthusiast, Senior Club Champion Golfer and dedicated Blue Jays and Expos fan.

Bill was a fine ball player, a contact hitter that played and pitched for a number of teams including the Pembroke Pirates in the 60s and later with the local Old Timers. He eventually joked that his now 60 mph fastball wasn't good enough!

Bill was a skilled photographer even in the days of 'analog photography' doing his own darkroom work. He generally focused on trains, rail yards and crossings and on his family at sporting events. He had a knack of capturing his kids, nieces and nephews in their most embarassing moments.

He loved working on his trains, his models and in recent years created models unique to his grandkids and family. He always looked forward to the monthly meetings of the Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders (OVAR) as he considered them his family since early '60s. It was always a highlight for him and he was grateful to be able to attend remotely when he was no longer able to attend in person.

Bill refereed hockey and umpired baseball for 36 years. The common chirp “Are you blind ref?” turned out to be true when he developed cataracts at a young age. He had that corrected but he said "few would claim to be able to tell!" He developed and mentored countless local referees and umpires through those years.

In the spring Bill could be found tapping maple trees and preparing for a crop of tomatoes. In the summer and fall he would be out on the course with golf partners Tony Parent and Len Farrell. They always played well over a 100 rounds per season. He also spent hours woodworking and building beautiful pieces of furniture for his family.

Bill was a great dad who showed up at sporting events to quietly cheer on (and then later chirp!). In recent years he would stream the kids games online and keep tabs on everyone’s results and stats. Bill was known to take time off work to take the kids skiing, sending a properly 'official' typewritten note the next day eg: “Nancy was absent yesterday as she was skiing with me.” He signed the notes with his degrees and PEng certified just in case anyone wanted to question him. Always and forever a great fan of his family.

If success is measured by how much you are loved, Bill was infinitely successful. Although a typically quiet man, his kids and grandkids could get him going, tease him and will forever love their time with him.

Thank you to all of the caregivers, doctors, nurses and staff at home and at The Pembroke Regional Hospital (in particular Sandy Farrell for keeping him on his toes and always making him laugh) and those in his final days at the Marianhill Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be later in the spring. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Pembroke Regional Hospital Cancer Care Unit would be appreciated. Arrangements by the Neville Funeral Home, 491 Isabella St., Pembroke.

Brought to you by Neville Funeral Home

William Alexander Crago

Pembroke, Ontario

May 14, 1938 - March 9, 2025

Brought to you by Neville Funeral Home

William Alexander Crago

Pembroke, Ontario

May 14, 1938 - March 9, 2025

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