Obituary for William Hambly
William (Bill) Frank Hambly – Loyal, loving, kind, intelligent, trustworthy, stoic, and humble are just a few words those close to Bill have used to describe him in the days since his passing. He died peacefully on June 5th, 2020 at the age of 79 after a hard-fought, 14-year battle, with cancer. At the time of his passing, he was held in the loving embrace of his wife Kelly, son Shane and daughter, Deidre, who mourn his loss greatly.
Born September 17th, 1940 in Montreal, Quebec, Bill grew up during the Second World War and was always fascinated with the history of that era. A student of the Beat Generation, Bill admired its poets, authors, and jazz musicians. He attended Bishops University, where on Friday nights he would host a jazz show from midnight to 6 am on the student-run radio station. Although not the most ideal time-slot, Bill found great pleasure in playing his favourite artists, such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and J.J. Johnson, for listeners in the sleepy town of Sherbrooke, Quebec.
When John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Bill left his Master’s program at McGill University for the newsroom at CJAD and never looked back. After a successful and exciting career in the radio broadcast industry, in which he was the station manager of CJAD in Montreal, Bill went into medical advertising, working
for the top agencies in Toronto.
He retired in 2004 to spend more time with his family and enjoy his other passions in life; travel, golf, and model-railroading. He and Kelly enjoyed many years traveling the world, including several wonderful adventures in Europe with close friends and family. Italy and Ireland were two of their most cherished vacation destinations.
He was an avid golfer, and was given the nickname “Boom Boom Bill” by his son because of his explosive drives straight down the fairway.
When he wasn’t out golfing or enjoying a glass of wine on the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice, Bill could be found in his basement, tinkering away at his impressive model railroad layout.
A model train enthusiast for over 60 years, Bill was known to his train buddies as “Bill Sr”, and enjoyed his final years "playing" with his pals from the Nottawasaga Model Railway.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 44 years, Kelly, his daughter Deidre, son Shane, daughter-in-law Nicole, and his grandson, Knox, who has inherited his Grandpa Bill’s love of trains. Bill’s passing is also mourned by his sister, Barbara Peippo, his brothers-in-law, Bernie and Gary Reid and his sisters-in-law Sharon, Colleen, and Alana Reid.
Bill will always be remembered for being a true and loyal friend and a wonderful, caring, and kind father and husband. And also, for his beautiful radio voice.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Bladder Cancer Canada (www.bladdercancercanada.ca) and Kidney Cancer Canada
(www.kidneycancercanada.ca).
Born September 17th, 1940 in Montreal, Quebec, Bill grew up during the Second World War and was always fascinated with the history of that era. A student of the Beat Generation, Bill admired its poets, authors, and jazz musicians. He attended Bishops University, where on Friday nights he would host a jazz show from midnight to 6 am on the student-run radio station. Although not the most ideal time-slot, Bill found great pleasure in playing his favourite artists, such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and J.J. Johnson, for listeners in the sleepy town of Sherbrooke, Quebec.
When John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Bill left his Master’s program at McGill University for the newsroom at CJAD and never looked back. After a successful and exciting career in the radio broadcast industry, in which he was the station manager of CJAD in Montreal, Bill went into medical advertising, working
for the top agencies in Toronto.
He retired in 2004 to spend more time with his family and enjoy his other passions in life; travel, golf, and model-railroading. He and Kelly enjoyed many years traveling the world, including several wonderful adventures in Europe with close friends and family. Italy and Ireland were two of their most cherished vacation destinations.
He was an avid golfer, and was given the nickname “Boom Boom Bill” by his son because of his explosive drives straight down the fairway.
When he wasn’t out golfing or enjoying a glass of wine on the banks of the Grand Canal in Venice, Bill could be found in his basement, tinkering away at his impressive model railroad layout.
A model train enthusiast for over 60 years, Bill was known to his train buddies as “Bill Sr”, and enjoyed his final years "playing" with his pals from the Nottawasaga Model Railway.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 44 years, Kelly, his daughter Deidre, son Shane, daughter-in-law Nicole, and his grandson, Knox, who has inherited his Grandpa Bill’s love of trains. Bill’s passing is also mourned by his sister, Barbara Peippo, his brothers-in-law, Bernie and Gary Reid and his sisters-in-law Sharon, Colleen, and Alana Reid.
Bill will always be remembered for being a true and loyal friend and a wonderful, caring, and kind father and husband. And also, for his beautiful radio voice.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Bladder Cancer Canada (www.bladdercancercanada.ca) and Kidney Cancer Canada
(www.kidneycancercanada.ca).