HODGSON, William “Bill” Robert

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Bill Hodgson at the age of 61. Bill is finally at peace after living with prostate cancer for over 6 years and having had extraordinary care at the Provincial Palliative Care Centre in Charlottetown. Left to mourn Bill are his wife and best friend of 34 years, Andrea Surich, muchloved daughters Paterson and Julia, mother Beth (MacDougall), sister Kathy Hemphill (Brian), sisters and brothers-inlaw Gabriele Surich, Jo Surich (Claudia), Michael Suerich (Pat), uncle Herb MacDougall (Norma) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill is predeceased by his father Edward, his brother Eddie (Sheila) and his parents-in-law Irmgard and Joachim Suerich. Bill will be especially missed by his constant canine companion, Olive. Bill was born on April 24, 1956 in Charlottetown. He studied welding at PVI and went on to use this skill in building sets for theatres across Canada and then moving on to become a metal sculptor. His whimsical metal work adorns many private residences in South Western Ontario where he lived with his family for 17 years. Bill’s public art installation Trees of the Carolinian Forest can be seen in downtown London, Ontario and a yearly display of Bill’s Christmas sculptures is set up in London’s Victoria Park to delight the old and young. After 30 years away from PEI, Bill moved back to the island in 2015 to reconnect with family and his roots. Bill’s dry sense of humour, wonderful cooking and amazing creativity will be missed by all of us but more importantly, the way Bill loved and cherished his family and friends will be forever remembered and treasured. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Saturday,Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. at Watermark Theatre, 57 Church Hill Ave, North Rustico. In lieu of flowers, Bill has requested that donations be made to Watermark Theatre www.watermarktheatre.com or please purchase a piece of artwork by your favourite local artist.