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Dr. William (Bill) Grant Macrae
April 30, 1940 – July 7, 2017


Much loved husband of Mandy, adored father to Sarah, Susie & Willie, wonderful father-in-law to Marie MacEwen & Ken Blakeley, amazing grandfather to Mackenzie, Grant, Elle & Rylin, dear brother to Ria Jean, Janet & Margie, and one-of-a-kind uncle and cousin to the McMurtry, MacInnis, Macintyre, Braund, Marshall and Grant clans. Dad died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, following a very short but courageous battle with metastatic sarcoma.

Born to Jill and Dr. Harry Macrae, Bill grew up in Toronto, attending Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto. He graduated from medicine, went on to specialize in Ophthalmology and completed a fellowship in Genetics at Johns Hopkins. He created a thriving medical and surgical practice, one that would come to define him for more than four decades. Dad always went the extra mile to ensure that his patients felt cared for and important and he never shied away from using his unique sense of humour to lighten a moment!

Dad was extremely dedicated to the education of the next generation of surgeons and became a patient and compassionate teacher. Having won every surgical teaching award available, his students then developed the Millennium Mentor award, which recognized his exceptional commitment to mentoring others. Upon his retirement from surgical practice, U of T honored Dad with another prestigious accolade, the Excellence in Postgraduate Medical Education Award and established the William Macrae Fund for Excellence in Ophthalmic Education.

Our Dad’s heart was captured by the one and only Mandy and together they enjoyed a beautiful marriage, lasting over 52 years. Family, whether immediate or extended, was extremely important to Dad and he went to great lengths to make others feel that they were a welcome part of his. His “interviews” were infamous! Humble, caring, curious and with a dry, witty humour that made everyone feel at ease, he lived his life guided by the principles of kindness, fairness and generosity of mind and spirit. Nothing brought him more joy than enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren, whether through travel, skiing, biking or laughing around the dinner table.

We are most grateful for the empathy and kindness shown by the staff of Collingwood G&M Hospital, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Quigg, and the compassion shown at home by nurses Linda and Nancy. Their support was immeasurable.

On Friday September 15, a service of remembrance will be held in Toronto at Rosedale United Church (159 Roxborough Ave.) at 2pm, immediately followed by a celebration at The Granite Club (2350 Bayview Ave.) from 4-6pm.

In memory of Bill, please consider a donation to causes that were dear to him:

The William Macrae Fund for Excellence in Ophthalmic Education:
www.donate.utoronto.ca/dr-macrae or

The Ride to Conquer Cancer:
www.conquercancer.ca/goto/William_Macrae

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. William 'Bill' Macrae, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.