William Anthony O’Shea

Published October 17, 2019

William Anthony O’Shea

October 14, 2019

William Anthony O’Shea was born in Cornwall on October 16, 1946. He was educated in Cornwall graduating from CCVS. He graduated from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto with an M.A. in Social Anthropology. It was there he met his future wife Helen Anne Nixon. He had a long and distinguished career with Parks Canada National Historic Sites. He worked in Placentia, Newfoundland as the first superintendent of Castle Hill and later spent more than 40 years at the Fortress of Louisbourg, in Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and later in Cornwall. He was a manager of dedicated professionals and found his career both challenging and fulfilling. His passion was genealogy, research, writing and community service. Bill spent his retirement enjoying yard work, genealogy, birding, traveling, and being with his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Helen Anne and his sons Patrick (Carolyn Baker) and grandchildren Kathryn, Justin, William and Eleanor of Cornwall and Kevin (Mai) and grandchildren Kai and Rina of Shenzhen, China. He is also survived by his loving siblings: Catherine (Stan), Brenda (Willie), Fay (Jim), Florence (Michael, deceased), Heather (Len), Molly (Tom), Michael (Jo-Anne), Terrence (LaVaun), Sheila (Bryan), Thomas, Peggy (Dan), Ronald, Pamela (Terry),  Kelly, Ann (Lorne) and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Peter and father Anthony and mother Irene. Visitation will be held at Wilson Funeral Home in Cornwall, Ontario on Friday, October 18th, between 2:00 – 5:00 pm. In keeping with William’s wishes, no flowers are to be donated. Donations can be made to the Cornwall Hospital Foundation at cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca. Interment to be held at a later date. Online messages of condolence may be made in the obituary section of: www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca