Obituary of F. Stewart 'Stew' Toll

Peacefully at home on Thursday, October 31, 2019, F. Stewart ‘Stew’ in his 87th year. Beloved husband of Leba Silvert. Treasured father and friend of Terry (Henrietta), of London, and Warren (Sandra), of Oakville. Also survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Stew will be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Predeceased by parents Frederick and Laura (Stewart) Toll; sisters Marjorie McDougall and Amy MacCrostie; and brother Aubrey. He was the last surviving member of his siblings. Stew was a well-known and respected educator: beginning at age sixteen as a teacher in a one-room school, principal, professor, superintendent, and retiring as Director of Education for the Middlesex County Board of Education. In 1988 he established Exemplary Education Consultants, providing education advisory services locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. Significant among these was his seven-year advisory assignment to the Bermuda Ministry of Education. He ended his career providing Expert Witness Services to Ontario legal firms. Stew proudly served his country on two occasions: with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Reserve; and was recruited by the Canadian Government to serve in Nairobi, Kenya for two years developing educational courses for the nation’s Headmasters. Stew’s passion for music was lifelong. An accomplished saxophonist by age 15, he played with dance and concert bands throughout the region, and in later years became proficient on the bagpipes. He was president of several local and provincial education organizations, and served on the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Advisory Council for three years. His contribution to education was recognized by Canada’s Prime Minister, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Education – Bermuda, and many other related groups. A special thank you to Dr. Darren Van Dam, nurses Sandy and Paula Day, all of the Ilderton Family Medical Clinic, for the outstanding care and support they provided to Stew and his wife Leba through Stew’s journey. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior, Rev. Dr. Sheila Macgregor officiating. Interment at Blyth Union Cemetery on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Stew are asked to consider the F. Stewart Toll Music Award or a charity of choice.