William Mountain

Dr. William Buckingham Mountain

December 3, 1922 – January 1, 2016

Born in Kamsack Saskatchewan, Bill grew up in Stratford Ontario. In 1942 at the age of 19 he joined the RCAF and served in active duty overseas with Bomber Command. After the war he pursued a university education and obtained his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology in 1953. In 1948 he married Doris Ferguson who predeceased him in 1983. Bill spent his professional career with the Federal Civil Service in the Department of Agriculture, initially as a research scientist at Harrow Ontario, moving into management positions in St. Catharines as Director of the Vineland Research Station, and then Ottawa as Director General of the Entomology Research Institute. He retired in 1986 as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of the Environment. In 1984 he married Margaret Barker (nee Bailes). Together they had 31 years of happy retirement, especially enjoying cottage life on Black Donald Lake. Bill was an avid wood carver and painter in his retirement. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his sons James (Joanne) and Robert (Catherine), his step daughter Melanie Downey (Chris), his step son John Barker (Carol), and by his grandchildren Joshua, Brynn, William and Adrienne Mountain, Michael, David and Jeffrey Downey, and Kaylin and Jennifer Barker. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Red Oak Retirement Home, the Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Perley Rideau Veterans Centre for the care they gave Bill over the past few months. Funeral service to take place on Tuesday January 5, 2016 at Stittsville United Church at 2:00pm. Reception to follow at the church. Donations in Bill’s memory may be directed to the Salvation Army, Stittsville United Church or the charity of your choice.