A man for all seasons
Dr. Bill Crehan Stratford-Perth Archives
Crehan Crescent is named for Dr. William (Bill) Henry Killeavy Crehan, who was born in Wallacetown, Ont., in 1890. He entered the teaching profession to earn enough money for his medical training. When the First World War interfered with that plan, he served as a lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery in France. He graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto in 1921, and came to Stratford to practise with Dr. George R. Deacon (see Deacon Street). He eventually opened his own office, and 16 Wellington St., where he became one of the most popular family physicians in the city.
He was well known for the close attention he paid to his patients. He also was prepared at all times to hasten to the bedside of a person requiring his services, day or night. He practised medicine at a time when house calls were most popular and, with the coming of automobiles, a doctor could answer such a call in more timely fashion. Dr. Crehan presented many courses and lectures in first aid, and for the care of the sick, and and the time of his death, in January 1940, was involved in classes sponsored by the St. John Ambulance organization.
His wife Marjorie (C. Collins), died in April 1973, 17 days short of her 78th birthday. They had married in 1923.
Known as one of Stratford's most public-spirited citizens, Dr. Crehan was a member of the board of education, president of the Stratford Scout Association, president of the Stratford Badminton and Social Club, president of the Western Ontario Badminton Association, a charter member and president of the Stratford Optimist Club.
He was attending a meeting of the board of education in the city hall in 1940 when, at age 49, he suffered a severe heart attack, from which he did not recover. He had packed a lot of community service into his two decades in Stratford.
All the schools in Stratford were closed the morning of his funeral, for which there was a full house for Requiem High Mass in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. About 200 boy scouts and their leaders lined the steps from Huron Street to the front doors of the church. The Very Rev. D. J. Egan celebrated the mass.
Dr. Crehan built the large brick Tudor house at 420 William St., which at the time stood almost alone on that street. By: Stanford Dingman
The Crehan house at 420 William St.