William (Bill) Parr Olivier, Ph. D
December 28th, 2014
After long illness, great gentle courage, and an abiding strength of spirit and hope, Bill passed quietly from our deeply loving prayerful embrace to a well-earned place of peace. It is with boundless sorrow and loss that we announce his passing at Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, B.C. He leaves his wife Rosemary A. McLoughlin, his daughter Celeste (Chris Young, children : Alexis, Mick, Zac). Son of the late Stanley Claude Olivier and late Leila Catherine Parr of Louisiana and Texas, Bill will be missed by his many Louisiana, and Texas relatives. Many Ontario and White Rock friends mourn his loss.
A noted original in the design and development of computer systems related to learning, cognition and intelligent systems, Bill had great abilities in both technical and creative aspects of all his projects. Completing his Ph D at University of Texas, Bill was Director of Research in the CAI Lab at university of Texas at Austin. Recruited by many institutions, Bill chose the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (University of Toronto) for its new research opportunities where he led the largest educational R&D projects in computer and multimedia-based learning in Canada. He was professor in the Graduate School of the University of Toronto for 27 years guiding hundreds of Masters and Doctoral students through teaching, supervising and mentoring in instructional technology, multimedia, computer applications, and cognitive science. Additionally, Bill served as Chair of the Department of Measurement, Evaluation, and Computer Applications. He will be missed by his many colleagues and especially his former students.
Subsequently Bill served as director of Homecom Learning Systems, Ltd. where the original CAN CBI products were distributed worldwide. In 1984 Bill founded Random Access Multimedia, Inc. with partner Rosemary A. McLoughlin, Ph D. The company produced computer and other media-based projects for a wide variety of clients ranging from education to finance and government. Many wonderful friendships were made along the way.
Bill enjoyed visits with his daughter Celeste, his friends, the visual arts, nature, his cats, music, technology, science fiction, and architecture. He had a talent in portrait painting in which he excelled.
Retiring in White Rock in 2007, Bill wound up his company but kept very busy as Strata President and Vice President at his condominium. Many sought out and commented on Bill's incredible abilities, tireless hard work, and gentle manner. Bill liked people. He ran a great meeting. Loved by many, he will remain irreplaceable in all our hearts. Love goes with him.
Cremation to take place at Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services, Aldergrove B.C. .
Memorial Communion Service Wednesday January 14, at 2 p.m. at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Roper Avenue, White Rock, B.C.
Donations in lieu of flowers if you wish, in Bill's name, to your local SPCA Humane Society, the BC Cancer Agency, or your own favourite charity.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
I hate this news. Sorry for your loss. I was one of his doctoral students in MECA. In many ways he was a very fine man.
Bill is greatly missed. We remember his peaceful, confident manner as well as his intelligent, wise leadership and counsel as president of our condo. He bravely endured the pain and struggles of his health issues. He appreciated so much Rosemary's constant effort and knowledge in walking with him in the fight against the illness. Bill was a person who was at peace with God. He mentioned to me in a personal recent conversation that he was ready to go. What concerned him most was how Rosemary would navigate life without him.
Bill is quality! Always was, always will be ! I love him with all my heart. May God hold you Rosemary, Celeste and family, and friends as you mourn the loss of someone so special. With love Gayle
Our Hearts Loveare with you Rosemary and Celeste. We only new Bill in his retirerment years. It was a pleasure. He was always upbeat and had a wonderfull smile, no matter what he was going through. It has been a pleasure to be his friend. May he rest in peace. Rosemary has been a wonderfull partner for Bill and the extra strength he needed. We will lookout for you in the future. Love your Palm Springs Friends John and Judy Gailus
Bill was a very generous intelligent kind person. Nora and I would often visit Bill and Rosemary in their condo in Toronto. Bill was always very warm and welcoming. He was knowledgeable on any topic from computers to literature. He was a calm influence in an often turbulent world. I had immense respect Bill. He will be missed Dave Docherty
Bill was a truly gifted and wonderful person. His erudite and humorous manner was always evident in his approach to life, and a source of ongoing enjoyment and appreciation for all who had the privilege of knowing him. He had many more years of contribution to life and the world around him and will be missed by all. Bil had a lifetime of achievement in education, research and technology and they will stand as his contribution to learning for so many. My deepest condolences to Rosemary and Celeste and her children for this tremendous loss. Love, Barry
It has been my privilege and honour to have had a business association with Bill for many years. Friendship grew from the business association which I will forever value. My wife, Shelley and I, were fortunate to visit with Rosemary and Bill in White Rock. Our visit will forever be etched in our minds. It was special. Bill fought a long and courageous battle with Rosemary's support, compassion and endless energy and enduring love. As mentioned in his obituary, he deserves to rest in peace now. We send our condolences to Rosemary, Celeste and his grandchildren and relatives.
Condolences and Sympathy to Rosemary, Celeste and the Young family. Bill was a warm, funny, intelligent, caring, tireless, hardworking, and compassionate brother-in-law whom we loved dearly. He will be sorely missed.
Much sadness Rosemary but strength in all that has been written. Donation made to Salvation Army Homeless Outreach here in Halifax in Bill's name.
I was a secretary at OISE from 1974-77. Bill Olivier was the chairman of the department I was in. I worked for Drs. Ronald Ragsdale, Robert S. McLean and Peter Lindsay. Bill was such a kind and pleasant person. I just found his obituary now in 2024, so am sad to have learned that he passed.