Obituary of Willard Hilliard Treleaven

Dr. Willard Hilliard Treleaven (Trev) passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015 due to complications from a fall. He was 93 years old.Trev was born to the late Willard King and Laura Louise Treleaven on September 22, 1921 in Winnipeg, Manitoba; a brother to Margaret, Errol and Gwen.He spent his youth farming with his family between Elm Creek and Poplar Point, Manitoba. At 18, he taught school in a one room schoolhouse in rural Manitoba. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 and served until the end of the war. Sadly following his enlistment, his brother Errol, a spitfire pilot, was killed in action in 1944.Following his military service he enrolled in the dentistry program at the University of Toronto. The summers during his university years were spent in Winnipeg delivering Coca Cola to various retailers throughout the region. His experiences working for Coca Cola left a lasting impression on Trev and was the source of countless anecdotes that he shared with everyone throughout his life.Back at university, while moonlighting at the Post Office during Christmas break, his life would change forever. There he met his future wife, Helen Elizabeth Goslett, or Betty to her friends. They were married in the university chapel and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on May 20th, 2015.In 1952, Trev, Betty and baby Allison relocated from Winnipeg to Kingston, Ontario. Dr. John “Johnny” Lyon, a classmate of Trev’s, persuaded him to come to Kingston. John assured Trev that Kingston could support a 16th dentist. (There are now over 90 dentists in the Kingston area.)This was the beginning of a very lengthy and celebrated dental career that would span over the next 40 years until his retirement at 68.Trev was continually active at the local and provincial levels. He served as President of the Kingston and District Dental Society on two occasions and was a fixture on the executive from 1952 to 1972. He served as Kingston’s governor in the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) from 1972-1978, followed by four years on Executive Council. Trev was then elected to the Royal Canadian Dental Society (RCDS) in 1983 and represented eastern Ontario for four years. In 1987 Trev was elected vice-president of the RCDS, a position he held until his retirement from dentistry in 1990.In 1984 Trev was awarded the Ontario Dental Association’s Service Award. In 1988 he was presented with a fellowship from the International College of Dentists (FICD). In 1989 he was the 19th recipient of the Barnabus Day Award for Distinguished Service by the ODA. In 1990 he was made the first and still only honorary member of the Kingston and District Dental Society.In 1995 the Kingston and District Dental Society established the W.H. Treleaven Continuing Education Fund to honour the outstanding commitment that Trev has made to dentistry. The dental society placed $10,000.00 into the Fund to help offset costs and to ensure quality future lectures.During his lifetime Trev was actively engaged in all aspects of community life. He served as an Elder at St. Margaret’s United Church, has been a past president of the March of Dimes, and served with the Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army.He also served on various committees relating to his children’s sports. He was a long standing member of the Rotary Club; his children fondly remember him flipping pancakes and selling peanuts rain or shine! He was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his involvement with the Y.M.C.A. Though working on these committees kept him well occupied he tried to leave time for his favourite sport of curling. One proud moment was when his team made an “8 ender” earning them a picture on the wall at the Cataraqui Golf and Curling Club.Trev, a long time organizer with the Conservative Party later used his considerable skills supporting the Reform Party.Family meant everything to Trev. He loved to travel and thought nothing of loading up the station wagon with 5 children and heading across Canada every summer. This was his way of trying to keep the family connected to relatives scattered across Canada and to provide them with an appreciation of the beauty and vastness of our country.In the early 60’s Betty and Trev made their first trip abroad to Hawaii. This began a lifetime of excursions to Europe, South America, Antarctica, Australia and China. Several of these trips included his children and their spouses. Norway and Austria stand out as his favourites.Trev was happiest when surrounded by his family. He was a very loving and caring husband to Betty and a devoted father to Allison (North Vancouver), Errol (Bath), John (Kingston), Douglas (Whistler) and Laura (Kingston).He is fondly remembered and greatly missed by the entire family: Allison (Karl) , Errol (Mary-Jane) , John, Douglas (Ingrid), and Laura. His grandchildren Sean (Michelle), Jeff (Cheryl), Mark (Jocelyn), Kyle (Ashley), Alexa (Darius), Lauren (Jacob) and his great-grandchildren Tyson, Lucas and Madison, as well as various nieces and nephews across the country.Dad had chosen cremation and a private family service will take place at Cataraqui Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at Cataraqui Golf and Country Club on Sunday, July 26th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to CATARAQUI CEMETERY AND FUNERAL SERVICES.