Born in London, Ontario to Charles and Pauline (Teeter) Wilson, Ben graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central Collegiate in London and also from the University of Western Ontario with a B.Sc. He was an all-star football player at UWO under the legendary coach, Johnny Metras and also Student Council President. He was a scholar, athlete and intellectual. These skills went on to serve him well, as he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to read (study) at Oxford University in England, where he studied Radio Physics (earning another B.Sc.). Ben married Charlotte (Harrington) in 1956 and their children include Andy (b.1957) and Meredith (b. 1960).
His main passion was for his Christian faith and general service. Ben served on the Boards of many organizations, namely the Toronto Symphony, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto School of Theology and many Church committees. After teaching science at Ridley College, St. Catharine's, he worked in the Nuclear Lab at Chalk River, Ontario; held Management and Executive roles in General Electric and British American Oil (later Gulf Oil). Believing in giving back to the nation, he left the corporate world to work in Public Policy, working in the Management Services Division of the Government, starting the Ministry of Energy and then, becoming the Assistant Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities for the Province of Ontario. There, he could combine his business skills with his passion for education. He was honoured with a Doctor of the University degree (D.U., honoris causa) from the University of Ottawa (Universite d'Ottawa). He retired after being Chairman of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and fundraising for the University of Toronto.
Ben enjoyed gardening, (especially his roses and vegetable patch), curling, squash, tennis, music and reading. He was thrilled by his many trips abroad both for business and with family. Dad is remembered for his devotion to his family, the causes he worked for as well as his amazing sense of humour, quick mind and grace. I cannot remember him missing one of my music concerts or skating competitions, and similarly anything of my brother's. Watching my mom and dad work closely together gave me a wonderful example of teamwork and mutual love and support. He is survived by his sister Charlotte (Harris)(since deceased), many nieces, nephews and their families, wife Charlotte, children Andy (Janet), Meredith (Charles Agius); five grandchildren (Ted, George, Alexandra, Henry and Callum). He has since been joined in heaven by his wife, Charlotte (2012) and a grandchild, Crawford.
My dad was an amazing man. A man who I thank for giving me the strength and direction to be able to weather any storm. I am also pleased to say that I got my sense of humour from him. Many a night were passed (especially Sunday nights which were cherished family nights) where we would sit at the dinner table and trade pun salvos back and forth in English and French (driving my mom and my brother crazy). Even to the end, his mind was sharp and challenging until the cancer reached his brain and fortunately brought about a quick end to his life. It would have been difficult to have seen a man like that suffer for long not being able to do what he would do with such ease and effortless simplicity. His theory of life was Joyful Elegant Parsimony. All things are to be done with great joy, while keeping it elegant AND within boundaries.
~*~*Thank you so much to Corey (LittleAngelMaker) for honouring my dad by sponsoring his page. It is a most wonderful gesture on your part. One that is greatly appreciated.~*~*
His main passion was for his Christian faith and general service. Ben served on the Boards of many organizations, namely the Toronto Symphony, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto School of Theology and many Church committees. After teaching science at Ridley College, St. Catharine's, he worked in the Nuclear Lab at Chalk River, Ontario; held Management and Executive roles in General Electric and British American Oil (later Gulf Oil). Believing in giving back to the nation, he left the corporate world to work in Public Policy, working in the Management Services Division of the Government, starting the Ministry of Energy and then, becoming the Assistant Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities for the Province of Ontario. There, he could combine his business skills with his passion for education. He was honoured with a Doctor of the University degree (D.U., honoris causa) from the University of Ottawa (Universite d'Ottawa). He retired after being Chairman of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and fundraising for the University of Toronto.
Ben enjoyed gardening, (especially his roses and vegetable patch), curling, squash, tennis, music and reading. He was thrilled by his many trips abroad both for business and with family. Dad is remembered for his devotion to his family, the causes he worked for as well as his amazing sense of humour, quick mind and grace. I cannot remember him missing one of my music concerts or skating competitions, and similarly anything of my brother's. Watching my mom and dad work closely together gave me a wonderful example of teamwork and mutual love and support. He is survived by his sister Charlotte (Harris)(since deceased), many nieces, nephews and their families, wife Charlotte, children Andy (Janet), Meredith (Charles Agius); five grandchildren (Ted, George, Alexandra, Henry and Callum). He has since been joined in heaven by his wife, Charlotte (2012) and a grandchild, Crawford.
My dad was an amazing man. A man who I thank for giving me the strength and direction to be able to weather any storm. I am also pleased to say that I got my sense of humour from him. Many a night were passed (especially Sunday nights which were cherished family nights) where we would sit at the dinner table and trade pun salvos back and forth in English and French (driving my mom and my brother crazy). Even to the end, his mind was sharp and challenging until the cancer reached his brain and fortunately brought about a quick end to his life. It would have been difficult to have seen a man like that suffer for long not being able to do what he would do with such ease and effortless simplicity. His theory of life was Joyful Elegant Parsimony. All things are to be done with great joy, while keeping it elegant AND within boundaries.
~*~*Thank you so much to Corey (LittleAngelMaker) for honouring my dad by sponsoring his page. It is a most wonderful gesture on your part. One that is greatly appreciated.~*~*
Born in London, Ontario to Charles and Pauline (Teeter) Wilson, Ben graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central Collegiate in London and also from the University of Western Ontario with a B.Sc. He was an all-star football player at UWO under the legendary coach, Johnny Metras and also Student Council President. He was a scholar, athlete and intellectual. These skills went on to serve him well, as he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to read (study) at Oxford University in England, where he studied Radio Physics (earning another B.Sc.). Ben married Charlotte (Harrington) in 1956 and their children include Andy (b.1957) and Meredith (b. 1960).
His main passion was for his Christian faith and general service. Ben served on the Boards of many organizations, namely the Toronto Symphony, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto School of Theology and many Church committees. After teaching science at Ridley College, St. Catharine's, he worked in the Nuclear Lab at Chalk River, Ontario; held Management and Executive roles in General Electric and British American Oil (later Gulf Oil). Believing in giving back to the nation, he left the corporate world to work in Public Policy, working in the Management Services Division of the Government, starting the Ministry of Energy and then, becoming the Assistant Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities for the Province of Ontario. There, he could combine his business skills with his passion for education. He was honoured with a Doctor of the University degree (D.U., honoris causa) from the University of Ottawa (Universite d'Ottawa). He retired after being Chairman of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and fundraising for the University of Toronto.
Ben enjoyed gardening, (especially his roses and vegetable patch), curling, squash, tennis, music and reading. He was thrilled by his many trips abroad both for business and with family. Dad is remembered for his devotion to his family, the causes he worked for as well as his amazing sense of humour, quick mind and grace. I cannot remember him missing one of my music concerts or skating competitions, and similarly anything of my brother's. Watching my mom and dad work closely together gave me a wonderful example of teamwork and mutual love and support. He is survived by his sister Charlotte (Harris)(since deceased), many nieces, nephews and their families, wife Charlotte, children Andy (Janet), Meredith (Charles Agius); five grandchildren (Ted, George, Alexandra, Henry and Callum). He has since been joined in heaven by his wife, Charlotte (2012) and a grandchild, Crawford.
My dad was an amazing man. A man who I thank for giving me the strength and direction to be able to weather any storm. I am also pleased to say that I got my sense of humour from him. Many a night were passed (especially Sunday nights which were cherished family nights) where we would sit at the dinner table and trade pun salvos back and forth in English and French (driving my mom and my brother crazy). Even to the end, his mind was sharp and challenging until the cancer reached his brain and fortunately brought about a quick end to his life. It would have been difficult to have seen a man like that suffer for long not being able to do what he would do with such ease and effortless simplicity. His theory of life was Joyful Elegant Parsimony. All things are to be done with great joy, while keeping it elegant AND within boundaries.
~*~*Thank you so much to Corey (LittleAngelMaker) for honouring my dad by sponsoring his page. It is a most wonderful gesture on your part. One that is greatly appreciated.~*~*
His main passion was for his Christian faith and general service. Ben served on the Boards of many organizations, namely the Toronto Symphony, the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto School of Theology and many Church committees. After teaching science at Ridley College, St. Catharine's, he worked in the Nuclear Lab at Chalk River, Ontario; held Management and Executive roles in General Electric and British American Oil (later Gulf Oil). Believing in giving back to the nation, he left the corporate world to work in Public Policy, working in the Management Services Division of the Government, starting the Ministry of Energy and then, becoming the Assistant Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities for the Province of Ontario. There, he could combine his business skills with his passion for education. He was honoured with a Doctor of the University degree (D.U., honoris causa) from the University of Ottawa (Universite d'Ottawa). He retired after being Chairman of the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and fundraising for the University of Toronto.
Ben enjoyed gardening, (especially his roses and vegetable patch), curling, squash, tennis, music and reading. He was thrilled by his many trips abroad both for business and with family. Dad is remembered for his devotion to his family, the causes he worked for as well as his amazing sense of humour, quick mind and grace. I cannot remember him missing one of my music concerts or skating competitions, and similarly anything of my brother's. Watching my mom and dad work closely together gave me a wonderful example of teamwork and mutual love and support. He is survived by his sister Charlotte (Harris)(since deceased), many nieces, nephews and their families, wife Charlotte, children Andy (Janet), Meredith (Charles Agius); five grandchildren (Ted, George, Alexandra, Henry and Callum). He has since been joined in heaven by his wife, Charlotte (2012) and a grandchild, Crawford.
My dad was an amazing man. A man who I thank for giving me the strength and direction to be able to weather any storm. I am also pleased to say that I got my sense of humour from him. Many a night were passed (especially Sunday nights which were cherished family nights) where we would sit at the dinner table and trade pun salvos back and forth in English and French (driving my mom and my brother crazy). Even to the end, his mind was sharp and challenging until the cancer reached his brain and fortunately brought about a quick end to his life. It would have been difficult to have seen a man like that suffer for long not being able to do what he would do with such ease and effortless simplicity. His theory of life was Joyful Elegant Parsimony. All things are to be done with great joy, while keeping it elegant AND within boundaries.
~*~*Thank you so much to Corey (LittleAngelMaker) for honouring my dad by sponsoring his page. It is a most wonderful gesture on your part. One that is greatly appreciated.~*~*
