Remembering Mervyn "Bill" Kelly

With sorrowing hearts, the family of Mervyn James “Bill” Kelly announces his passing on Friday, February 17^th, 2023, in his 93^rd year.  He passed away peacefully with his devoted wife at his side. 

Son of Norman Ambrose Kelly and Laura Elizabeth Lee. Beloved husband of Elsie Leskew. Cherished father of the late Nancy (Derek), David (Maria), and Megara. Grandfather to Liam. Treasured by many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended members of the Leskew family. Predeceased by brothers Norman (Yvonne) and Beverly “Bud” (Ruth), and sister Joan Walsh (Barry). 

Bill was born in Ottawa on March 20, 1930.  He lived in Baysville, Muskoka until 1950, when he attended Ottawa's Carleton University from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism in 1953.

Bill always said he had eight distinct parts in his life - the early years; a decade on wheels when he worked in his father's transportation business; the 4th estate, his journalism years; with the Canadian Bureaucracy, a most exciting part of his career; his community college era; his time in Zambia; his teaching experience in Muskoka; and, his retirement years.

Bill spent summers working for his father driving trucks, buses, and taxis, and left Baysville in 1953, upon graduation with a Bachelor of Journalism. He first worked on the Perth Courier, then moved to radio station CFRA in Ottawa. In 1954, Bill became part owner of the Northern Tribune in Kapuskasing, then later returned to Ottawa as a News Editor at CFRA, where he remained until he entered the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys as an Information Officer.

In 1958, he joined the Department of Labour in the Information Branch, where he worked as an information officer for education and training programs. Bill played a major public relations role in the implementation of the Federal-Provincial technical and vocational training initiatives in the 1960's, which resulted in the creation of community colleges and the expansion of technical and vocational training programs in secondary schools. He wrote many speeches on education and training for three federal cabinet ministers, Michael Starr, Allan MacEachen, and John Nicholson.

After 11 years in newspapers, radio, and public relations, Bill became one of the founders of the Ontario Vocational Centre, serving as Head of Special Courses, responsible for management of courses in Journalism, Advertising, Selling, Chef Training, Art, and Library. He taught Journalism and Advertising Copywriting at the Centre until it became part of Algonquin College. Then he served as head of the Journalism Department, and as the College's public relations officer.

In 1971, he was invited to go to Zambia, Africa as Superintendent of Applied Arts and Commerce. He was a part of a team of Canadians, mainly supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), who helped develop a community college system for that country.

1974 found him back in Muskoka, teaching English and Creative Writing at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, from which he had graduated in 1950. Over the years, until his retirement in 1989, he served in several capacities for the Muskoka Board of Education, teaching young offenders, gifted children, enrichment classes, and in regular classrooms at the elementary and secondary levels.

Since retirement, he and his wife, Elsie Leskew, travelled extensively, mainly by motorhome, clocking up thousands of miles throughout Canada and the United States.  Bill has written and published five books: the history, Baysville, Photos From The Past; the mysteries, Hit Women (The Motorhome Murders) and The Recalcitrant Memo; a book of poetry, Purpose; and, his latest work, A Decade on Wheels, an amusing and detailed account of his years working in his father’s transportation business.

A funeral mass will be held at Guardian Angels Church 115 West St., North, in Orillia, Ontario on Friday, February 24th starting at 2:00pm. A reception luncheon will follow the mass at Carson Funeral Home 54 Coldwater St., East in Orillia.  If desired in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice and are greatly appreciated.

Online condolences and memories may be left at www.CarsonFuneralHomes.com