LANGILLE, William “Hoss”
The war is over and the battle won as my beloved Billie drifted away to his “Happy Hunting Ground” on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Tabor Manor with Sammy and I at his side. In his 78th year, he was too young to leave us, but God teaches us how to love and what he loves, he only lends to us. He was predeceased by his mother, Olga Campbell, father Frank Langille and grandson Rowan Langille. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Patricia “Patsy” (Halton) Langille, children Lajla (LaPorta), Kim (Foley) and husband Jim, Christopher (Palumbi) and wife Heather, Shawn and wife Ann. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Robert, Nicholas, Victoria, David, Jocelyn, Nathan, Logan, Kadin, Aelish, Nico, Luca and Arabella as well as great-grandaughter Amaya and devoted dog Sammy. Cousins, nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention, but loved still the same.
He was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia and after moving to St. Catharines at the age of 14 with his parents. If asked “How far did you go in school?” he’d reply “A two mile hike, and three stories up.” completing his Grade ten. He went on to get his certificate as a “body man”, working at GM as an Iron Pourer, which is the job he retired from after 30+ years of slugging in the trenches of extreme heat. He was a drill instructor with RCAF and was awarded 1st place for his expert shooting in representing Canada. He was also awarded a certificate in recognition for his services on behalf of the Government of Canada, and in between he worked as an OPP Auxiliary officer, a Game Warden, and a “Mr. Fix It” who loved puttering in his little shop out back. He was one of the oldest members of the Maple Leaf Gun Range and a member of many years of the Niagara Region Police Range. I’m sure he walked this earth hundreds of years ago. One of his greatest loves was for Mother Nature and he was also proud of his Mi’kmaq Indian heritage. He was most happy when standing fishing at a stream or hunting with his best buddy for over 50 years, but now gone (Wally Morris), but never just for sport. He was large in life with a heart that was larger still. He loved his family and friends and although he may not have been able to express it…you knew you were loved!
Many thanks to Dr. Elaine O’Reilly at Tabor Manor for her caring ways. Also, to the amazing staff at Tabor Manor to whom he tormented and teased, but who would patch him up after his many falls and who loved him for the man he was, my heartfelt thanks for your care and compassion and understanding as well as the honour guard when he exited Tabor for the last time. He will be missed by his many friends, too numerous to mention, but they all knew, when you were his friend there is nothing he wouldn’t have done for you. A Celebration of his Life will be held at the George Darte Funeral Home,
585 Carlton St., on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 1 p.m. A gathering will follow the ceremony from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home. In keeping with Hoss’ wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to Autism Ontario or the McMaster Brain Child Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
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