Born on January 11, 1936 in Ottawa, ON, to Jeannie (nee Light) and Samuel Comerford. Fr. Bill is pre- deceased by his parents, his brother Stanley, his sisters Maureen Cecchini and Joan Winsor. He is survived by his brother Donald, and his nieces and nephews.

Growing up in Oshawa, ON, Fr. Bill first became interested in pursuing religious life following his time as a student at St Gregory the Great Elementary School under the guidance of the Sisters of St Joseph and the Christian Brothers.

Guided towards the Redemptorists by his parish priest, Msgr. Paul Dwyer, he professed first vows on September 15, 1956 and was ordained a priest at Holy Redeemer College in Windsor on June 17, 1962. Fr. Bill celebrated his first solemn Mass on June 24 in his home parish of St. Gregory the Great. After completing a year at Second Novitiate in Montreal, he was appointed Assistant Pastor at Holy Redeemer Parish in Charlottetown, and remained there from 1964-1968. He served as a high school Chaplain in Montreal for a couple of years before returning to parish appointments, serving at parishes scattered across the country; St. Peter’s in Saint John (1972-1975), St. Patrick’s in Quebec City (1975-1976), Preaching Apostolate (1977-1993) and Holy Name (1993-2001) in Toronto.

While in Toronto, Fr. Bill was appointed as liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement by the Archdiocese of Toronto, holding that position until 2001. Working together with Redemptorist Oblate Joan Green, he ministered to more than 100 prayer groups, celebrating healing Masses and giving talks on the Life of the Spirit. Fr. Bill was appointed as Rector of the Provincial Residence in Toronto (2001-2002) and provided pastoral assistance to the Redemptorist community at St. Patrick’s (2005-2009) before moving to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Vancouver (2009-2019).

In 2019, Fr. Bill moved to the Redemptorist community at St. Patrick’s in Toronto. Despite his struggle with multiple health problems, he provided pastoral assistance to the Redemptorist ministry at our Shrine Church. Like many others, Fr. Bill adapted to the waves of COVID. He founded and helped to guide an online study and prayer group. This group continues to meet every Saturday to adopt more fully the spirituality of living in the Divine Will as promoted by Luisa Piccarreta.

The Redemptorists would like to heartily thank the staff at the Cardinal Ambrozic Houses of Providence for their extraordinary efforts at helping Fr. Bill to live out his last year of life as fully as possible.

Arrangements are under the care of Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home. Friends and parishioners are invited to make visitation on Friday, October 25, after 3:30 p.m. with Vigil Prayers at 7 p.m., at St. Patrick's Church, 137 McCaul Street, Toronto. Mass of Christian Burial will also be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church on Saturday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m.