William (“Bill”) Polson Watt passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024, at the age of 92, at North York General Hospital. The family wishes to thank the compassionate and committed staff there who helped make his last days more comfortable.
William was born September 30, 1931, in Toronto. The youngest child of Mary and William Watt, immigrants from Glasgow, Scotland, William was predeceased by sisters Margaret and Jessie, and his brother George. A graduate of Humberside Collegiate, William had a life-long interest in theater and cinema. In addition to his career as an insurance underwriter, William worked as a freelance writer and arts critic for multiple local publications. William was a loyal member of the “Sons of the Desert,” a Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, and a staunch member of the Monarchist League of Canada.
He was the beloved father of three daughters with his ex-wife Jean: Heather, Mary (“Sandy”) and Fiona, and cherished father-in-law to their husbands Ray Kirkness, Giuseppe (“Joe”) D’Amata and Kevin Johnson. William was adored by his grandchildren, Scott Kirkness and wife Sarah, Andy Kirkness and wife, Ethel, Colleen Kirkness and Wayne Hayes, and Duncan Johnson and by his great grandchildren, Scott and Sarah’s little ones, Aurora, Bennett and Eleanor. He was godfather to his brother George’s son, Ian Watt, and grandfather figure to Joe’s son Alexander D’Amata Taschereau. William was also the long-time companion of Madeleine Gosselin, who passed away in 2023.
We will all miss his wit, his curiosity about the world, his unique sense of style, and the love that he had for all the sweet things in life.
There will be a celebration of William’s life on Saturday, August 31, at 11:00 am at Turner & Porter Funeral Home (Yorke Chapel), 2357 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON M6S 1P4.