William J. Toole, 90 ½ years young, passed away after a brief illness on Friday January 8, 2021 in Melbourne, Florida.
Born in Trenton NJ to Scottish immigrants, he was raised in Princeton, living there most of his life until moving to Pennington in 2005, with winters in Florida.
Mr. Toole was predeceased by his parents, William M. Toole and Jane (Jean) W. Gray, his wife Anne E. Toole and his grandson Alexander Platt.
He is survived by three children, Linda A. Toole and husband David Gottschlich of Columbia MD, Jane E. Platt and husband Greg of Cream Ridge NJ, and Robert K. Toole and wife Patricia of Lawrenceville NJ, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren with one more on the way. He is also survived by his brother, the Reverend Dr. George G. Toole of White Hall MD. He also leaves his “out-law” family in the Columbus, Ohio area. His companion of the last nine years, Emma Denny and many friends in Florida will also miss him.
Mr. Toole graduated from Princeton High School and attended Rider College. He formerly worked for the Princeton University Store but spent most of his career with IBM Corporation. He was part owner of Tartan Taxi of Princeton.
Bill was a 70 year member of Princeton Hook and Ladder Co. of the Princeton Fire Department, serving as President and Trustee. He was the longtime Secretary of the Princeton Firemen’s Relief Association and a Life Member of The NJ State Firemen’s Association. He was a Past Master of Princeton Lodge #38 F&AM, and Past District Deputy Grand Master and Past Chaplain of the Grand Lodge for New Jersey. Advisory Board member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls #51, he was also a Trustee of the Masonic Home at Burlington NJ. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Crescent Temple and the Princeton Shrine Club. He additionally served his community as a member of the Borough of Princeton Affordable Housing Board and as a Sergeant and Tank Commander for 13 years in the New Jersey National Guard.
Bill enjoyed history and geography and was able to enrich those passions thru his love of travel with his wife, Anne. They were members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club travelling the North American Continent in their Airstream travel trailer. Bill was proud of his Scottish heritage and they traveled to Scotland many times visiting family and other countries as well. After 59 years of marriage Anne passed away.
Bill met Emma in Florida, and they continued traveling this time mainly by cruise ship, including one eventful trip to Cuba.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Interment will be at Trinity-All Saints Cemetery, Princeton.
A celebration of Bill Toole’s life will be held at a later date this year
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.