Obituary of Mr. William Edward & Mrs. Shirley Evelyn Bowes
Shirley Evelyn Bowes passed away peacefully on April 10, 2023 at her home with family by her side. She was born on March 20, 1926 in Toronto, Ontario and is predeceased by her parents Evelyn and William Gard, her sons Brian and Douglas, and her brother Donald. As a young person she attended Balmy Beach P.S. and Malvern Collegiate. She was a member of the Young People’s Group and the Choir at Kingston Road United Church. She worked at Consumer’s Gas Company from 1942-47 where she met William Bowes and later married him on August 30, 1947. She will always be remembered as a very loving and devoted daughter, sister (Donald), wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
William Edward Bowes passed away peacefully on September 14, 2023, with his children (Craig, Gail and Bev) by his side, after a short stay at Centenary Hospital. He was born on February 16, 1925 in Shelburne, Ontario. He is predeceased by his parents Edna and Reid Bowes, his sister June and sons Brian and Douglas, and his loving and devoted wife Shirley. He is survived by his brother Barry (Bev) and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended Agincourt P.S. and Agincourt Collegiate. He started working at the age of 15 as a messenger at Consumer’s Gas Company, completing courses and training through the years working his way to Manager of Purchasing, at which time he retired in 1988 at the age of 63. William was in the Royal Canadian Artillery 21st/23rd Battalion from 1942-1943. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 receiving an honorable discharge in 1946 at age 21. He joined the Masonic Lodge in 1948 working up to Master in 1963 and Past Master in 1964. He was a Mason for over 60 years.
Shirley and William married at Kingston Road United Church on August 30, 1947 with a reception at the home of Evelyn and William Gard. They happily and proudly celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary in August 2022. Together they purchased their first and only home in Agincourt in 1951, spent 3 years working at night and on weekends completing their home and finally moving into it in June 1954, and living there, as they hoped, until their passing in 2023. They lovingly welcomed their children Brian Edward December 1948, Craig Edward (Marion) December 1953, Gail Patricia November 1955, Douglas Reid May 1957 and Beverley Ann (Reynold) February 1961. They were proud Grandparents to Bryan (Melody), Christie (Sandy), Brendan, Jessica (Will), Stephanie (Chris), Bennett (Corliss), Erik and Connor; Great-Grandparents to Emma, Olivia, Luke, Eddie, Kiedis, Stryder, Hannah, Noah and Bowden. Shirley (Shirl) and William (Bill/Morty) spent their time together living life to the fullest with their family and good friends. They bought the family cottage in Haliburton in 1983 and spent the next 40 years enjoying wonderful times as it was their happiest place to be. They created such a fun-loving atmosphere always with welcoming smiles and so many great laughs. We were all so lucky to have them in our lives and will forever enjoy the many memories they have left us with. Love you so much Mom and Dad, Gramma and Grampa, Great-Gramma and Great Grampa (GG).
The family has purchased a memorial bench at the Beachpoint Promenade along the Pickering waterfront trail with a commemorative plaque saying….”In Loving Memory of Shirley Bowes 1926-2023 and Bill Bowes 1925-2023 – Forever Together”.
