William Reginald Wray "Reg" Mason

William Reginald Wray Mason, known to everyone as Reg, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17th, at the age of 95. Born on February 26, 1931, in Paisley, Ontario, Reg was the second son of Lawrence and Editha Mason, and brother to Merv, Noel, and Mary, all of whom predeceased him.

Reg grew up in a close‑knit family and carried those early values of faith, kindness, and hard work throughout his life. He attended high school in Tillsonburg, Ontario, where he discovered his love of sports. Reg played baseball and softball and excelled in track and field. He also served as the top cadet officer, a role that reflected his natural leadership and discipline.

Following high school, Reg attended McMaster University, continuing a family tradition begun by his father and later carried on by his son. He competed in track and field for all four years, lived in Edwards Hall, and graduated in 1953 with a degree in Geography. After university, Reg embraced his calling as a high school teacher — a career that would define his professional life and touch countless students.

In 1964, Reg met the love of his life, Donna, in a moment of serendipity during an after‑church meal at his parents’ home. He drove her home that evening, and that simple act began a lifelong partnership. They were engaged that October and married in 1965, building a warm and joyful life together. Their daughter Kathryn was born in 1967, and their son Steven in 1971, completing the family he cherished.

That same year, Reg joined Parkdale Collegiate Institute, where he taught and coached until his retirement in 1996. He was a dedicated educator, known for his integrity, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to his students. Reg coached track and field and basketball, arriving early every morning — a testament to his lifelong passion for sports and his students. He was a mentor, a motivator, and a steady presence in the lives of generations of young people.

Reg had an adventurous spirit and a deep love of travel. From his early years exploring North America — camera always in hand — to decades of global travel with his wife, he embraced the world with curiosity. Together, they visited 70 countries, exploring pyramids in Egypt, ancient forums in Rome, and lava tubes in Iceland. They cruised the Nile, Amazon, Danube, Seine, and Volga. As a family, they spent many summers hitching up the camper and heading across Canada and the United States. Every journey was an opportunity to learn, to laugh, and to marvel at the world.

Reg was a man of deep faith, attending his beloved Baptist Church and singing in the choir for nearly his entire life. He believed in being good to people, doing your best, and bringing joy to everyday moments. He was dignified and funny, gentle and strong. He shook hands with everyone he met, asked after their families, and carried himself with a kindness that never faded — even through the challenges of stroke and dementia in his later years. He was, in every sense, a gentleman.

He had many passions, especially Christmas — the food, the games, the laughter, and the togetherness. As a father, he was loving, playful, and endlessly supportive. He was our coach, swim buddy, snow‑fort architect, board‑game rival, and a man who always put his family first.

Reg’s life was defined by love, curiosity, and kindness. He touched the lives of everyone who knew him, and his memory will be held dearly by his family and friends. Reg will be missed by his wife Donna, his daughter Kathryn and his son-in-law Michael McKendry, his son Steven and his daughter-in-law Jennifer and his dearly beloved grand-daughters Kaylin and Tara McKendry.

A visitation will be held at Ward Funeral Home "Weston Chapel" on Tuesday, July 21, from 4:00–8:00 p.m.