It is with great sadness that we announce that on January 20, 2022, the heart of our family, our father Wilbur Ferguson, passed away at the age of 83 in the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative care unit after a long battle with cancer.
He is survived by his partner Valerie Lillie, brother Ernie (Mona), daughters Michele, Lori, Lisa (Bob), sons Thomas (Stephanie) and Daniel and stepdaughter Angela (Steve).
He will be lovingly remembered as “Pappy” and “Grandpa Will” by his numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren of whom he was so proud and loved so much.
He will also be remembered for his kindness and love by his many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
Dad was a fighter. He faced the loss of his beloved wife Darlene and cherished granddaughter Nicole as well as the loss of five much loved siblings, Kathleen, Robert, Thomas, James and Maureen. He missed them all greatly and spoke of them often.
Dad went on to battle heart disease and cancer without ever losing his faith. He had no quit in him. He fought hard to stay with us. He tried hard to never give up hope.
He was a generous and protective man. If you knew him, he probably helped you in some way. He listened to your worries, gave you advice, prayed with you or for you, cheered you on, drove you wherever you needed to go, made sure you got somewhere safely, encouraged you, helped you fix something, or any other numerous things he did to show he cared and he never asked for anything in return. Dad gave so much of himself to the people he loved and took care of us all.
He has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled. He was everything to us. He was the one we turned to, to guide us and encourage us. We will miss him forever.
Thank you, Val, for your love and companionship to dad.
Thank you to all the family and friends that reached out to dad with a visit or call.
He only Takes the Best
God saw that he was getting tired,
A cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around him
And whispered, “Come with Me.”
With tearful eyes, we watched him suffer,
And saw him fade away
Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes “the best”
Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on Wilbur’s memorial page by using the comment field below.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Wilbur. He grew up with my older brothers and was like a part of our family.
When I was working in Selkirk Wilbur would stop in and visit with me every once in a while, and was so nice to sit and chat with him.
My condolences to the family
( family friend) Bob Huff
Both our Families knew Wilbur The Lawrences lived across the street from him on Elgin and he was a friend to the Huff boys. We last seen him a few years ago he was still the same guy always laughing . Our condolences to the family
My earliest memories of uncle Will was riding on his knee
On a country road steering an old Pontiac. My first road test..
He will be missed .. one of the last of the ELGIN Ave Fergusons
The stories they told of the old days..
He always helped with things when asked never expecting anything in return, such a big heart.
Will Ferguson was my best high school friend’s (Lisa’s) dad. I’ve known the Ferguson family for about 40 years.
Will was such a nice guy, always welcoming & jovial to have us teenagers hanging around his house.
My favourite “Will stories” are: Once he noticed a stranger looking at him (maybe alittle weird, maybe for a little too long, I’m not sure). So he says to the guy “What?? Do I owe you money??!” All with that smile & mischievous glint in his eye. A wonderful jokester, he was! (Maybe that’s where Lisa & Tom got their sense of humour?)
My other favourite “Will story” is him watching whatever music award show that was when Michael Jackson surprised the world with the Moonwalk for the very first time. Sitting there in his chair, Will’s jaw dropped & he exclaimed “What the hell??!!”…..
He was such a good man, with a deep soul & a giant heart & huge love for his family. ❤️
Will was a Bro-in-law from the word go. It was like it says here, he had a heart of Gold, filled w giving and kindness with a welcoming smile & friendship to all he met! We were closer in our later years because retirement meant we could see & spend more time w each other more often! We travelled our memory-lanes together, each trying to equal each other w our stories, enthralled by each others lives! I knew him well & w much love as we did this story telling for at least 25 years? The Jets & our youthful up & coming family athletes were our connection to our immortality! And now, thats gone for me!
I have some solace in that he suffers no more, our shared pains & embarrasments are gone for him. Creator will care for him now, in loving peace. R.I.P. Bro, you’ll never be forgotten by us! We miss you already!
Sincere condolences to Val and all families members in their great loss of this kind man.
May you find comfort in your many memories and in knowing he has no more pain.
I knew Will and family many, many,many years ago and only found out where he lived a short time ago, should have called when I wanted to but missed my chance, my condolences to all the family and friends I was so touched by all of the messages no more suffering Will passed brother inlaw Barry Mayo
My condolenses to the famly on there loss of Wilbur.
I’am one of the Lawrence’s who lived on Elgin avenue.
I remember him and my brother Bobby playing football many times on the street. One of the Ferguson boys would always send us to the store for pepsi. ” guess they were hot”. Many good times on Elgin Avenue.
He’s with family and the creator now. 💐💐
Lorraine Laramee ( Lawrence)
To Lori, Lisa and Tommy, I am sorry to hear of your Dad, Will’s passing. Our thought and prayers, are with you. Your Mom, Doreen’s cousin, Jeanne.🙏😘😢
My condolences to the family and to Val. I so enjoyed out little visits we had when I delivered MMF hampers. I will cherish them always. Cousin Brian Mayo