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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GUSHUE, William J. - surrounded by his family, died quietly at his home in St. John’s on July 30, 2024. He was 95. Bill lived his life well and to the fullest, excelling in his career and building a world and a family with Sheila (Kelly) Gushue, his beloved wife and partner since 1955. He was a university professor, a naval commander, an investment dealer, a scholar, a good friend, a wise mentor and a raconteur of the first order. Many of his friends and family knew Bill as Gushe or The Gushe; the definitive article was, we think, well earned. We will miss him so very much.
Bill was born in Bacon Cove, Conception Bay, on Jan. 6, 1929, the oldest child of Patrick and Evelyn (Whelan) Gushue, and grew up there and later in what is now Port au Port West. He was proud to have grown up in a rich oral culture, and relied on it during a long career at Memorial University and beyond.
Bill is survived by Sheila; his children Lisa Gushue (Scott Hewlett) and John Gushue (Martha Muzychka); his treasured grandchildren Beth Pardy Hartling (Ed), Mark Pardy (Vanessa Warren) and Nicholas Gushue (Mary Sampson); and his cherished great-granddaughter Evelyn Pardy. Bill also leaves to mourn Scott’s daughters, Leslie Hewlett (Jamie Harding) and their sons, Jude, Dorian and Lincoln; and Claire Hewlett (Scott Stapleton).
Bill will also be deeply missed by his brothers George (Mary), James (Judy), Lawrence, Michael (Micheline), Kevin (Kelle); and Kirian (Doris); his brother-in-law Kevin Kelly (Sheila); and his sisters-in-law Helen Kieley, Ann O’Rourke, and Patricia Cogswell, as well as many relatives in a large and loving family. Bill loved them all.
Bill is predeceased by his infant sons William John and William Gerard; parents, Patrick and Evelyn; parents-in-law William (Bill) and Bride Kelly; brothers Patrick, Leonard, and John; sisters Annette Ryan, Margaret White and Mary; sisters-in-law Mary (MacPherson) Gushue, Mary Pearen, Bride Gushue and Marian Abbott; brothers-in-law Eric Cogswell, Jerry Ryan, Robert Kieley, Jude White, James O’Rourke and Reg Pearen.
Bill wore many hats in his life and career. After earning his PhD at Boston University, Bill taught for many years as a professor at Memorial in St. John’s in the Faculty of Education. He launched the Department of Educational Foundations and recruited its stellar faculty, founded an academic journal (the Morning Watch), and served as associate dean in both that faculty and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. He was a commanding officer of HMCS Cabot, and was the training officer for a generation of UNTD candidates. He was provincial representative on the board for Canada’s military colleges. He was an advisor to the federal minister of Defence. As an investment dealer, he worked at Merrill Lynch in St. John’s and was vice-president of Mutual Securities.
Bill loved welcoming friends to the family home, where he and Sheila have lived since 1968. He read voraciously until very recently, and was endlessly curious about his friends’ lives and opinions. Nothing pleased him more than a room full of laughter (except for the dead silence of one of his two bridge clubs).
At Bill’s request, there will be no funeral. Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home at 329 Freshwater Rd., St. John’s, on Sunday, Aug. 4 and Monday, Aug. 5, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. each day.
The family is so very grateful to the many people who have made these last months easier to manage, and helped us honour Bill’s wish to spend his final time at home. We are thankful to the magnificent community paramedicine team; to Dr. Noreen Fardy, the pain management team and the community health nurses; to Dr. Andrew Hutton; to the dedicated and kind home-care workers who became part of our family; to the professionals who helped Dad during a hospitalization this winter at the Health Sciences Centre and his at-home care in the subsequent months; and especially to Joe Tucker, who has been keeping an eye on Bill and Sheila for years.
Bill did not want a fuss. He even at times said he did not want an obituary, and he no doubt would be uncomfortable with the length of this one (and likely would edit it, too). He was an exemplary man, though, and we adored him.
Bill believed passionately in the potential of the child. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a cause focused on youth or education, including the William J. and Sheila Gushue Scholarship, which was founded by family friend Michael Jackson, and which is presented annually to an undergraduate at Memorial University.
“To lose your father is to lose the one whose guidance and help you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches.” — Yann Martel, Life of Pi
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