The Globe and Mail

Bill Greer was always there for us. When we had to deal with important matters, important whether they were large or small, Bill, on call, always showed up. Any city that can have people like Bill Greer serve it for so long is a city, hopefully, that can work hard to deserve him." - David Crombie, before presenting the Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award to Mr. Greer on Oct. 15, 2007. It makes me sleep better knowing architect William Newton Greer is out there fighting the good fight for architecture in this city. Since becoming chief architect for the Toronto Historical Board in 1976, when the province's Heritage Act was a mere two years old, the 82-year-old's determination, enthusiasm and guiding hand have been responsible for the conservation of the Music Building at the CNE, Osgoode Hall, the Arts and Letters Club, Whitney Block, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the heritage elements of BCE Place, the former Toronto Stock Exchange (now the Design Exchange) and Spadina House. That's to name just a few - as an architecture writer, I can't tell you how many times I've been reading a report on a heritage home or commercial building and up pops Mr. Greer's name.