WILLIAM ANDREW (BILL) McQUAKER

William Andrew (Bill) McQuaker, 95, of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Bill was born April 10, 1912 in Pinewood, Ont. to the late William and Annie McQuaker, the eldest son in a family of nine children. With the exception of the time he spent away during his war service with the Winnipeg Rifles, he lived in Rainy River District all his life.
During his early years, Bill worked at cutting and hauling pulpwood in the winters, and gravel hauling and road construction in the summers—never, it seemed, very far away from the steering wheel of a truck.
From 1947-67, he owned Mac’s General Store at the corner of Highways 11/71 and 613 in Devlin, Ont., managing to still work a good bit of the time with his truck.
After selling the store in 1967, and moving to Fort Frances, he spent several summers doing pipeline work and driving taxi in the winters.
He finished his working career at Northair in Fort Frances, driving for their courier service, finally retiring at age 75 “because,” he said, “that’s how long my Dad worked!”
He was united in marriage on July 21, 1942 to the former Azaela Lundy, who survives, along with their two sons, Forrest and wife, Audrey, of Burriss, Ont., and Randall and wife, Cathy, of Winnipeg, Man.
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Brent (Linda), Craig (Della), Caron (Doug) Cridland, and Laura (Paul); great-grandchildren, Tyler (Kim), Amanda (Mark), Ashley (Roger), Doug, Dennis, Sarah, Matthew, Jeffrey, Dana, Danielle, and Mia; and great-great-grandchildren, Peyton and Jayde.
He also is survived by his brothers, Carson and wife, Iris, and Ron and wife, Joyce; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Annie; brother, Norman; sisters, Margaret McLeod and her husband, Bill, Mary Olson and husband, Sigurd, Hazel Morken and husband, Peter, and Isabel Miles and husband, Harry; infant sister, Jean; infant nephews, Laurie and David McQuaker; nephew, Douglas Miles; niece, Margaret-Ann Johnson; and great-great-granddaughters, Heather-Ann McQuaker and Megan Blanchette.
He was a member of Manitou Lodge No. 631 in Emo, Alberton Chapter No. 152 Fort Frances, Ledger Preceptory No. 70, Khartum Temple in Winnipeg, Border Shrine Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #99 in Emo.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances. United Church minister Peggy Mason officiated, followed by interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers were his nephews Jack Winik, Harold McQuaker, and Carson McQuaker, and grandsons, Brent McQuaker, Craig McQuaker, and Doug Cridland.
The honourary pallbearers were members of the Masonic Order and the Royal Canadian Legion.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Foundation for Health Care c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com