It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Victor William (Bill) Belfontaine, who died on July 13, 2023 at the age of 98.

Bill was born on May 24, 1925 in the Hydrostone District of Halifax Nova Scotia to Hannah Ames and Jean-Joseph Belfontaine. The family soon moved Toronto where Bill and his brothers were raised under the watchful eye of his mother and grandmother. In 1944, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and soon earned the rank of sergeant.

Following a successful career in the private sector, in 1970, Bill ran for public office and was elected as Alderman in Scarborough Southwest, a position he held for 15 years until joining Metro Toronto’s Board of Control in 1985.

Following a term on the Rent Review Tribunal, Bill served as the President of the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Authors Association and built a successful editing and publishing business devoting his limitless energy to local authors and social causes, and self-publishing many of his own works of fiction and poetry.

In May 2014, Toronto City Council recognized Bill for his contributions and efforts to the Scarborough community and the city.

Bill is survived by his six sons Chris, Tim, Joe, Andre, John-David, and Luke, many grandkids, and his brother Roland.

He is predeceased by his mother Hannah Ames and his father Jean-Joseph Bellefontaine, as well as his brothers Jackie, Bert, Wally and Seth.

A celebration of life will be schedule in early November 2023. Please email jbelfontaine@gmail.com (subject line: Celebration of Life) if you would like to be notified of the date, time and location once finalized.