ERRICK (SKIP) WILLIS

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ERRICK (SKIP) WILLIS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Errick Skip' Willis on January 4, 2011. Predeceased by his father and mother, Errick and Louise Willis and brother Richard T. Dick' Willis; beloved husband of Kelly, brother of Anna Jane (Jim) Gilchrist, father of Scott, uncle of Stacy, Libby (Colin), and Kate (Jamie), Skip died peacefully from complications related to surgery to remove a tumour from his spine. An alumnus of Trinity College School and the University of Manitoba, Skip began his career in political consulting and lobbying before his internal compass settled on its own true north: environmental sustainability and climate change, which became the focus of his work and his guiding light over the past 15 years. Having developed the Canadian portfolios of several leading multi-national consultancies, Skip founded the Willis Climate Group in 2009. His focus was to help major industry and all levels of government realize solutions to the challenge of global climate change. This allowed him to choose those projects that most piqued his interest and to enjoy more time with his family, particularly at their country home south of Creemore, Ontario. In addition to the privilege of working alongside a cast of dedicated and creative professionals, Skip was honoured to have recently been named a Fellow of the International Emissions Trading Association. For the longest time, Skip's cancer was asymptomatic and he lived with it quietly. The family would like to express its appreciation to Drs. Hogg and Sahgal at Princess Margaret Hospital and to the staff and volunteers at the Toronto Western Hospital. Friends may call at the Turner Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., Toronto, east of Jane subway, for a memorial visitation on Thursday, January 6, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd., Etobicoke, on Friday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. If desired, donations in his memory may be made to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, L'Arche Toronto or Islington United Church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2011