Obituary of Joseph Main McIlroy

WWII Veteran April 10th, 1916-April 29th, 2011 In his 96th year, peacefully with his family around him at Lakeside Long Term Centre, Toronto, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Glasgow, Scotland to parents Thomas and Emily (nee Young) and also cared for lovingly by stepmother Jean after his mother’s death in 1918. Joe trained and worked as an auditor in Glasgow before enlisting in the Royal Artillery. During World War II, Bombardier (Sergeant) McIlroy served 6 years until May 1946. He fought in the Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, and was with the liberating forces for France and Holland. After peace was declared he continued with the army in Belgium and finally Germany. During the war he held several positions including intelligence clerk. He was discharged with letters citing his exemplary conduct. After the war he worked in South America as an auditor/treasurer and General Manager for 7 years where he met and married Fay Evelyn Frances Tupholme in Asuncion, Paraguay in 1951. Joe and Fay immigrated with son Stephen to Canada in 1954 and became Canadian Citizens. Once in Canada Joe was employed by the City of Toronto audit department and later was Clerk Administrator of the village of Long Branch and later after amalgamation Assistant Clerk for Etobicoke. Joe was also one of the first graduates of the Queen’s University Municipal Clerks and Treasures course. In 1969, Joe moved his family to Bowmanville where served as the last Town Clerk of Bowmanville from 1969 to 1974 and finally as the first Town Clerk of the newly incorporated Town Newcastle a job from which he retired from in 1981. Joe was a member of the Bowmanville Rotary Club before he retired and a longtime member of Bowmanville Golf and Country Club. He is predeceased by his son Stephen but survived by his daughter Julie, grandson Ryan and ex wife Fay Trickett. Joe had moved to Toronto 2008 to be closer to his family and was a favorite of his caregivers due to his great sense of humor, and his love of soccer and fine scotch whiskey. Many Thanks to the staff and friends from Lakeside Long Term, Dr Arthur Helman and Dr. Leah Steinburg. He will be missed beyond measure. Visitation will be held at the NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division St. Bowmanville, on Friday May 6 2011, from 3-5 & 7-9pm A Legion Service will be held at 6:45pm. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday May 7, 2011 at 11am. Interment Bowmanville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the Covenant House.