Dr. William Oscar Geisler (Uncle Bill) passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 25, 2022, at the age of 97.
William was born in Kitchener, Ont., on Aug. 19, 1925, and later resided in Toronto, where he attended the University of Toronto Medical School and subsequently launched his career. His loving parents, Oscar and Ida, instilled in him the values of kindness, compassion and hard work. Throughout his life, William exemplified these qualities, touching the lives of countless individuals. William was a devoted husband, and left behind the love of his life, Mary Eleanor Geisler (Welsford), who steadfastly stood by his side and supported him through thick and thin. Uncle Bill also leaves behind his youngest brother, Ted; and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. He was predeceased by his brothers, Bob, Fred, John (Jack) and Paul; and his sister, Elizabeth.
Uncle Bill was a man of many talents and pursuits. Professionally, he achieved great success dedicating his career to the research and treatment of spinal cord injuries. During his long and distinguished service at the former Lyndhurst Hospital, he was involved in many innovative projects designed to improve the care and quality of life of patients with spinal cord injuries. He was a senior physician at Toronto General, Wellesley and St. Michael's hospitals. He was awarded the Order of Canada in May 2001 and was Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto. He had an international reputation in rehabilitation medicine and this lifelong commitment earned him the prestigious Honour Medal of Distinction from the International Medical Society of Paraplegia.
Beyond his professional achievements, Uncle Bill was known for his warm and welcoming nature. He possessed an unwavering ability to make others feel at ease in his presence, always ready with a kind word or a helping hand. He had an elevated sense of sartorial style. Uncle Bill would challenge his nieces and nephews with questions from his encyclopedic brain with humour and patience. He had a natural ability to evolve even the most commonplace outing into a fun and memorable event. Using his creativity and imagination, he had the talent to transform special occasions into almost dreamlike scenarios like no other, especially during his annual reading of The Night Before Christmas.
He had a zest for life and possessed a curious mind and an adventurous spirit. His and Mary's love for travel took them to far-flung corners of the world, where they embraced new cultures and experiences. Uncle Bill had a passion for artwork, antiquities and woodworking. He designed and crafted a number of exquisite reproduction pieces of furniture that will stand as a tribute to his abilities.
Uncle Bill leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and compassion that will continue to resonate within the hearts of all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and the entire community. As we mourn the loss of Uncle Bill, let us also celebrate the vibrant life he lived, remembering him as a beacon of light and a source of inspiration. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing to us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Lyndhurst Centre or St. Michael's Hospital, as a tribute to Dr. William O. Geisler.