Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Prast, W. A. |
Othernames |
Bill Prast / Wilfred Adair Prast Lt. Colonel Prast |
Birthplace |
Hanover, Grey County, Ontario |
Places of residence |
1364 6th Ave. West, Owen Sound, Grey County |
Titles & honors |
Phm. B. (Bachelor in Pharmacy) |
Nationality |
Canadian |
Education |
University of Toronto graduate |
Notes |
The W. A. Prast drugstore was located along 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound, at 8th St. East. Mr. Prast resided at 1364 6th Avenue West, and was listed there in the 1946 and 1956 telephone books. A July 25, 1957 newspaper advertisement identifies the business location at 799 2nd Ave. East (main street, and "Phone 205". The Prast drugstore was purchased by Mr. Armstrong, circa 1964. Mr. Prast was mentioned in a 1956 article about the change of command of the Grey & Simcoe Foresters regiment. His obituary in 1989 reads: "A former Owen Sound resident and businessman, Wilfred Adair Prast (Bill), passed away Wednesday, May 17, 1989 at the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre. Born in Hanover, and a graduate of the University of Toronto, Bill, after returning from service overseas, owned and operated Prast's Drug Store in Owen Sound for 14 years. While residing in Owen Sound, he rejoined the Grey and Simcoe Foresters Regiment, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel and Commander of the Regiment, retiring in 1960. He was a past Master and Life Member of St. George's Masonic Lodge No. 88, and the Order of the Scottish Right. He was also an active Member of the Canadian Legion. In the fall of 1959, he and his family moved to Durham, where he owned and operated Prast Pharmacy. In the ensuing years, he played an active role in the community, serving on the Durham Hospital Board, the PUC, the Durham Planning Board, the Grey County Health Board, and on the Grey County Board of Education as a Trustee for two terms. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and beloved family, his wife Eileen, daughters Susanne and Jane, sons-in-law Gerald Lynch and Peter Kaye, grand-daughters Krista and Samantha Lynch and sisters Eleanor Perold and Mary Lauriston. Memorial service is being held Saturday, May 20, 1989 at the McCulloch Funeral Home in Durham." Bill had enlisted with the Grey & Simcoe Foresters on ______. This unit was later broken up and used as reinforcements for other units. He next served with the _________. The war ended in 1945. A researcher noted that he first saw a Prast's Drug Store newspaper advertisement in 1948, and that the last Owen Sound Prast advertisement was in 1958. A history of the Grey & Simcoes mentions that the command of the regiment was turned over to Lt. Colonel W. Prast, during a special Change of Command Parade, that was held in the Armouries, on Dec. 8, 1956. He was succeeded on May 14, 1960 by Lt. Col. A. J. Symons, CD. There were others with the Prast surname in Grey: John Prast, Augusta Prast, Edward Prast, William Henry Prast, Sophia Prast. There was a W. Harry Prast (b. 1911-d. 1969) who is buried at Hanover, Grey County. |
Occupation |
Drugstore called "Prast's Drugstore" (Owen Sound) Drugstore called "Prast's Pharmacy" (Durham) Prescription Druggist Pharmacist Second World War Veteran Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regiment (became the Commanding Officer, and served as CO until 1960 St. George's Masonic Lodge No. 88 Order of the Scottish Right Royal Canadian Legion member Durham Hospital Board Grey County Health Board Grey County Board of Education (Trustee) |
Publications |
"Gandier Officially Retires as Grey & Simcoe C.O.", Dec. 14, 1956 (a newspaper clipping at Huronia Museum, mentions W. A. Prast). AN UNOFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE GREY & SIMCOE FORESTERS REGIMENT, 1866-1973, pp. 79-80. 1951 CITY DIRECTORY: BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL GUIDE, OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO, p. 159 VERNON'S OWEN SOUND (ONTARIO) MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS, ALPHABETICAL AND STREET DIRECTORY FOR THE YEAR 1958, p. 143. |
Relationships |
Sister: Mary Lauriston (lived at Salinas, California) Sister: Eleanore Perold (lived at Gravenhurst) Sister: Lois Munson Brother: Harry Prast |
Role |
Business person |
Spouse |
Eileen |
Children |
see obituary |
