WILLIAM JOHN BINDON
July 24, 1953 - October 4, 2021
Just months after being diagnosed with ALS, William (Bill) Bindon passed away on October 4, 2021 at Brampton Civic Hospital in Ontario with his devoted wife, Kate, by his side. Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Beatrice Bindon, and older sister, Anne Van Biezen. Left with many fond and loving memories are his wife Kate Rowe, sisters Sandra Mitchell (Kirke), Carol Wright (Philip), Janice Bindon and Michelle Bindon (Ken), his nephews and nieces and a variety of additional relatives and friends.
Bill was born in St. John's, Newfoundland on July 24, 1953; enthusiastically welcomed and celebrated by his family; happily claiming his status as little brother to four older sisters, as well as becoming third in a family line of William Bindons.
Growing up in St. John's, Bill enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, including basketball, hockey, curling, skiing, baseball, and particularly golf, an interest he carried into his retirement. Bill particularly loved salmon Јshing with his childhood friends, Rick Maddigan, Fred Kirby and Keith Brown, enjoying it so much in fact, that at the age of 16, he cut a cast oЇ his wrist with a knife and saw to better be able to throw his salmon line across the river.
In the early years, Bill attended St. Bon's School and spent two years at Gonzaga High School, before completing his high school education at Mount Royal High School in Montreal. He graduated from the University of Alberta in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry, and worked for the Alberta Forest Service for a number of years. He returned to St. John's in 1986 to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. He also graduated with a certiЈcate in Business Administration in 2000.
Bill and Kate moved to Ontario where he began a career with the Toronto Fire Services in March 1991. Bill worked in the Communications Department and retired as a District Chief in January, 2018.
Through the years Bill and Kate enjoyed travel, and were fortunate enough to visit New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, Venezuela, Mexico and a variety of resorts in the Caribbean. Bill particularly enjoyed a 2012 visit with his longtime friend, Bob Puddester who was on a work assignment in the Netherlands, and was especially touched by a weekend visit to Beaumont Hamel in France during that trip.
Sincere thanks to everyone who reached out and/or helped care for Bill during his journey with ALS. A very special thank you to his friend, Bobby Tully and wife Noreen, who provided exceptional care and support over the past year and a half. Thank you to his sister-in-law, Donna McGrath, who helped take care of him over the past 6 months. Thanks to his family doctor, Dr. Frederick Forbes, who visited Bill regularly at home during the last months of his illness. This exceptional "team" enabled Bill to be cared for at home until his passing.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held in Newfoundland on a future date to be determined. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to the ALS Society of Canada.
"There are no goodbyes... wherever you'll be, you'll be in my heart." - Ghandi