- POPE, William Robert 'Bill' — 87, of Mount Denson, Hants Co., passed away in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, on June 14, 2010. Born in Pictou in 1923, he was predeceased by his parents, the late Robert and Rena (Young) Pope; son, Robert; sister, Margaret (Hantsport); brother, Russel (Helen) (Strathroy, Ont.); several cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill was a graduate of Dalhousie University and Pine Hill Divinity Hall. Bill’s strong sense of public service motivated him to enter the ministry, serving in pastorates of the United Church for seven years before becoming one of the founding members of Windsor Elms and its first administrator. Although working on a part-time basis, Bill saw the Elms grow to a 120-bed nursing home. At the same time he established a family-based publishing company, Lancelot Press, that flourished for over 25 years. The company published histories, biographies, books on art, health and spirituality, as well as material of local interest. Leaving the Elms, Bill expanded his publishing activities and worked with both local and national authors in the publishing of over 500 titles. He wrote two books; A New Relationship, about the loss of his son, Robert, to cancer, and Dreams to Reality, an autobiography. Bill established a spiritual magazine called The Second Mile, which was published for a period of 25 years. He organized and hosted, along with one of his theological professors, Dr. John B. Corston, 10 group trips to various parts of the world, including two trips to the Holy Land (Israel). Bill was a member of the Windsor Rotary Club for over 35 years, a past president and a Paul Harris Fellow. As a former program director at the YMCA in Halifax, Bill had a love of sports and was a fierce competitor among a close-knit group of tennis enthusiasts who met regularly at the South End Tennis Club. Bill also enjoyed landscaping his hilltop property in Mount Denson. Bill was a gifted public speaker and a dedicated team leader who inspired many remarkable individuals to work with him in the pursuit of worthwhile causes. On the death of his son, Robert (a talented artist who portrayed his cancer experience in a memorable series of paintings) Bill established the Robert Pope Foundation and exhibited his son’s work in over 60 cities worldwide. It was Bill’s dream that the Robert Pope Foundation continue on a permanent basis. The foundation’s board members, many of them personal and valued friends, shared his enthusiasm. Services of healing and of encouragement in creative and artistic endeavours continue to be carried out. The family would like to thank the Hants Community Hospital for its wonderful service. Doctors, nurses, palliative care workers and every member of the staff gave expert and loving care that helped Bill and his family through his final days.
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1923 - 2010 (87 years)
