November 22, 1929 ~ April 28, 2021 (age 91)
Passed away peacefully at his home on Georgian Bay, which was his wish, surrounded by the loving presence of his wife (46 years) and lifelong friend, Anne (Millard) and only son, John.
Son of the late Captain Jack and Violet Lidstone, born on Maple Street in Victoria Harbour, Ontario on November 22, 1929 during a raging snowstorm. Father of Jayne McCullough (Greg) Telkwa, B.C. Grandfather of Candace McCullough, Telkwa, B.C. and Matthew (Raeanne) McCullough, Smithers, B.C. Great Grandfather of Brodyn and Hudson McCullough. Father of Margaret Anne Lidstone, Quebec and Cynthia Kurello, Newmarket, Grandfather of Michelle Kaszper and Madison Kurello both of Newmarket, Ontario. Father of John William Lidstone III, Victoria Harbour, Ontario. Bill is survived by his sister and brother in law, Elinor Jane and William Adair Bayne, Mississauga, Ontario nieces Jillian Bayne (Richard Long)Florida and Margaret Jane Elizabeth Knoop (Marc) Oakville, Ontario and Great Nieces and Nephews Benjamin Long, Alex Long, Cameron Knoop, Emma Knoop and Kaitlyn Knoop.
Bill spent 37 years as a Officer with the Ontario Provincial Police, joining at the age of 21. He was stationed in Thornhill, Bracebridge, Cochrane, Timmins, and at Headquarters in Toronto. He began his career riding an O.P.P. motorcycle (Harley) patrolling # 11 highway from the Toronto city limits to Bradford. While stationed in Bracebridge, he enjoyed operating the police boats on Lake of Bays and the Muskoka Lakes.
Bill spent several years in the C.I.B. investigating major crimes. In 1984, he was in charge of Security for the Papal Visit to Ontario and the Royal Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Phillip. Bill was also in charge of the Security for visits to Ontario by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
Bill was Executive Secretary to three Royal Commissions during his time with the O.P.P.
In 1987, Bill retired and returned to his birthplace – Victoria Harbour. After retirement, he sat on the Lieutenant Governor’s Review Board for 10 years. He was Chairman of the Board of Monitors at Central North and Chairman of the Board of Hospice Huronia.
Bill was an avid downhill skier and enjoyed boating on Georgian Bay. He spent countless hours reading and loved to share stories with friends and family. He was active in numerous Masonic bodies and an active member of All Saints Anglican Church in Penetanguishene, Ontario as well as being a life member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto and the Ontario Provincial Police Veterans Association.
Donations to Hospice Huronia, Georgian Bay General Hospital or the Masonic Charity of your choice in Bill’s memory would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to Dr. Martin Veall for his many years as Bill’s family doctor, to Nurse Practitioner Lisa Mikhail for her dedicated end of life care as well as the LIHN staff including all the nurses from Bayshore Nursing who cared for Bill (particularly Jennifer) and the wonderful care of the PSWs who came to look after Bill at home. Thank you to the GBGH E.R. staff (Dr. Lee), Dr. Paige Churchill and the health professionals on 2 North who cared for Bill before he returned home on March 2. Thank you also to Dr. Jeff Golisky for his friendship and support.
