Bill graduated from St. Mary’s University with a BA, BEd and a MA, MEd from Mt. St. Vincent University. Bill began his working career as Residence Director at St. Mary’s University. After receiving his BEd, he began his teaching profession in Halifax County as a math teacher for 10 years. Bill entered administration as a Vice Principal for one year and was then appointed Principal in the Halifax Regional School Board in which capacity he continued for the remainder of his career. During this time, he was a Member of the Board of Directors for Halifax County and President of the Halifax County Teachers’ Union-Halifax West Local and also served on numerous professional committees. During his career, he was the recipient of three prestigious awards recognizing his work in culture, race relations and human rights. Also active in the community, he served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Prospect Road Steering Committee for the first Community School in the Prospect region and was a founding member of the Prospect Road Lions Club.
Bill is most remembered by his friends and relatives for sharing his gift of music in keeping with family tradition. Starting in high school, Bill played and sang in many bands including the Patricians dance band at St. Pat’s High and continued on into his retirement where he formed and led the local band Heritage+ performing folk, French and pop music. He played the fiddle at numerous schools to encourage and motivate youth in the learning of French. Bill’s beautiful singing voice, along with his accomplished fiddle, mandolin and guitar playing, made him the center of enjoyment and entertainment at family, friends and community gatherings, not only in NS but also NB ,PEI, Ontario and Zephyrhills, FL where he and Audrey spent five months every year. Bill also loved spending time at the cottage in Larry’s River on his ancestral land. “To know him is to love him”, is in no small part due to the fact that he made everyone feel special and gifted in some way. He encouraged others to do more than they ever thought they could often taking a back seat in order to let others shine. He was secure in who he was but ever humble. In short, he reflected love to all who knew him. God is love and Bill exhibited that love to all who came in contact with him.
On a larger scale, he contributed both provincially and internationally to society. This focus indeed became his passion during his retirement years. Bill was a member of the Board of Directors for the First World Congress of Acadians in NS in 2004. He is the author and publisher of a five book series entitled Acadian Awakenings which focuses on the genealogy of the Gerrior family. He has also written two books on the Acadian Fougere descendants. Bill was the Chairman and Co-Ordinator of a number of Acadian family reunions held in NS, NB, PQ and Louisiana. Acadian culture, French language and music were especially experienced vividly over the later years of his life. With the help and constant support of his loving wife Audrey as well as his children, Steve and Suzanne and his siblings and the one above far greater than all, he is able to leave a lasting legacy of his family’s Acadian culture through his Acadian books. You could accurately sum up Bill’s life as a constant awakening and growth in his faith, learning, education and family.
Bill is survived by his wife Audrey (Gray), son Steve (Karla), daughter Suzanne grandchildren Kaleb, Noah, Isaiah, Samyia, Joy, Maxim; brothers Reginald (Barbara), Alberta, Herman (Avis) Truro, NS; sisters Dolores (Michael) deRepentigny, BC, Theresa (Don) Adams, Halifax, Evelyn (Michael) Oakley, Halifax; lifelong friend, Marcel Aucoin; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, infant brother Thomas, brother Thomas and two sisters, Verna Gionet and Marie Nugent.
Our deepest gratitude to the staff at Hospice Halifax for their superb care and compassion making Bill’s time there very peaceful. If you wish, donations can be made to Hospice Halifax or any charity of choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS. Visitation will be at J.A. Snow Funeral Home from 5-8pm on Wednesday, July 6. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, July 7 at 12:15 at Saint Benedict Church, Radcliffe Drive, Halifax. Reception following at J.A. Snow Funeral Home. Private family burial at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JASnowFuneralHome.com for the GERRIOR family.
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