From The Toronto Star newspaper.

Carl Herbert Wilson

December 02, 1919 to December 29, 2008

A Canadian Transportation Legend

Carl Wilson, a great gentleman of honesty and integrity, passed away peacefully at his Toronto home.

A loving family man predeceased by his father John Wesley, mother Mabel, wife Florence Mary and son John, leaves his memories to family members; sister Joan and family, daughter Carol, sons Donald, Douglas, Peter, James and Carl; daughter-in-law Donna, son-in-law Kim, grandchildren Donna, Debi, Donny, Andrea, Murray, Jenny, Paul, Whitney, Candace, Jordan, Alyssa, Jamie, Robert and Great-Grandchildren; Jake, Brooke, Matthew, Sydney, Shelby, Adrian, Gracelyn, Madison, Ellie, Halle, Jet & Quincey.

The family appreciates and thanks brother Carl for his endless love and time devoted as a caregiver to our Father.

The hyphen between the dates tells the history of this great man. As a teenager living with his parents on a country farm located on the north-east section of the Holland Marsh, that is now so well known as the best growing fields in Ontario, his career began to take shape. Clearing the land with his father that they leased to Italian families to grow vegetables for their livelihood, his vision of transportation was created. Carl convinced his father to buy a truck allowing him to transport the vegetables and milk from local farmers to the Toronto market.

So inspired by his love for transportation, his father bartered the farm for a small trucking business in Toronto. The company had four tractor trailers that worked for A&P Canada delivering food products to their grocery stores.

Wilson Transportation, established in 1937, was the beginning of a Canadian Transportation Legend.

Carl Wilson's transportation career included the first truck transport service west of Sudbury Ontario. A pioneer in logistical thinking, made him a leading figure in the trucking industry at a very early age.

His trucking empire employed hundreds. This dedication to employees and a motto of superior service still empowers the Wilson Group today.

Carl enjoyed an enriched full life. He was a devoted family man, executive, pilot, visionary, mentor, boss and friend. His life has shaped others, the way waves shape rocks. Our memories of this great man will last forever.

The family will be honouring Carl with a private funeral service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Affinity Health, which played an important roll in Carl's last days.

Affinity Health
230 Brown's Line
Toronto, Ontario Canada
M8W 3T4