William Ralph Meredith - Family and Private Life

Family and Private Life

In 1862, William Meredith married Mary (1842–1930), daughter of Marcus Holmes, Mayor of London, Director of the London & Lake Huron Railway Company and President of the Horticultural Society. Mr and Mrs Meredith lived off Binscarth Road, in Rosedale, Toronto, and were the parents of three daughters and one son who lived to adulthood. The eldest daughter, Maude, married William Thompson Ramsay, for whom Ramsay, Calgary is named. The next daughter, Constance, married George Armstrong Peters, and their daughter, Ruth Meredith Peters, married Claude Spaak, widower of Suzanne Spaak. The youngest daughter, Isabel Meredith, married Dr James David Thorburn, son of James Thorburn. The Meredith's son, Major John Redmond Walsingham Meredith (1878–1916), married a daughter of I.F. Hellmuth, but predeceased his parents in England during World War I, leaving two daughters.

The Dictionary of Canadian Biography noted that although severe, Sir William was also considered dignified and courteous on the bench, and was affectionately known as 'The Chief' among his fellow judges. Like most of his brothers, his favorite pastime was gardening. In 1913, The Toronto World reported,

Despite his seventy three years, Sir William is still a fine, erect and handsome man. His favorite pastime is gardening and in his beautiful grounds in Rosedale he spends much time. Donning a straw hat and gloves he delights to move about among his plants and bushes, weeding and clipping, or else to dig out dandelion roots from his lawn. Even in this pursuit he shows himself a man of solitary habits.

Following a swim off the coast of Maine, Sir William Meredith became ill and died a few weeks later whilst staying with relatives in Montreal. He and his wife are interred at the St. James Cemetery in Toronto.