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William Henry Jacob "Bill" Crocker

March 14, 2020

K8O6F4L3-20200320112551
August 31, 1942 - March 14, 2020
William (Bill) Henry Jacob Crocker passed away on March 14, 2020 in Nanaimo, BC at the age of 77. Bill was born on Aug. 31, 1942 in Halifax to Capt. Bill and Dorothy (Nickerson) Crocker. Bill is survived by his wife, Gloria (Amirault), daughter Elizabeth (Andrew MacDonald), son Will (Ann-Marie Thiele) son Christopher, grandchildren Amelie, Bridget, Anique and Billy (4.0), step-grandson Bryn and brother Len. Bill was predeceased by his mother, father and sister Melda.
Bill lived his earliest years in Canso, Nova Scotia, roaming the beaches and wharves. He was only five when he started sailing with his father on schooners and coastal freighters, delivering coal and goods throughout the Maritimes. In 1956 the family moved to Yarmouth.
After he graduated from UNB Fredericton in 1967, Bill, Gloria and Elizabeth took a train out west to try Vancouver for a couple of years, but ended up trading one coast for the other. Bill's career was spent largely in the petroleum industry, with a notable stretch in later years running the marine fuel barge in Nanaimo Harbour.
Retirement in Nanaimo was good. Bill thrived coaching with Special Olympics and renovating old homes while making frequent trips to the crab pot 'with the boys' on his boat Up Spirits. Bill and Gloria were lucky to take many great winter vacations, trips and cruises. Bill never forgot his friends and family in Canso and Yarmouth, so he especially loved their annual trips back home.
Most of all Bill loved Gloria, his three children, their spouses, his beautiful grandchildren and extended family. "Thank you to Chris and Special Olympics for all the fun, friendship and good times that we had. I was very blessed."
The family thanks BC Cancer, Drs. McGlynn, Rudston-Brown, Marback, and the wonderful doctors and nurses at Nanaimo Hospital Palliative Care, and to all those who brought food and drove Bill to appointments these last few months. Donations to Special Olympics in Bill's name are most welcome.
'Let me feel my dory lift
To the broad Atlantic combers
Where the tiderip swirls and the wild ducks whirl And old Neptune calls the numbers Neath the wild Atlantic combers' (O.P. Kelland)

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