William Fraser Treadgold October 28, 1948 - February 23, 2024


Surrounded by his cherished family, William (Bill) passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024 at Toronto General Hospital. Bill leaves behind an enduring and powerful legacy of love and will be profoundly missed by his wife, Carolyn, and their children, Michael (Jillian), Caitlin (Sean), and Lauren (Liam). Fondly known as “Papa”, his memory lives on through his darling grandchildren: Abigail, Malcolm, Emilia, Violet, Asher and Benjamin. Bill is the adored son-in-law of Donald and Marilyn Whitbread, and is preceded in death by his beloved parents, Donald and Marjorie Treadgold.

A Toronto native through and through, Bill’s life was shaped by his formative decades in the city. His early years were spent both on Kimbark Boulevard in Toronto and in the small town of Dutton, Ontario, where his love of family first took shape. Bill’s academic journey began at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1971. During this time, Bill joined Kappa Alpha (also known as “the Kap House”), which taught Bill, an only child, the meaning of brotherhood and the importance of a good dubonnet. In 1972, Bill received his teaching certificate from U of T’s Faculty of Education. He completed his education at York University in 1983, where he received his Master’s of English.

Nothing held a higher place in Bill’s heart than the precious time spent with his family. Bill and Carolyn’s 43-year relationship began in 1981, and has since been marked with countless dinner dates, many theatre productions, the comfort of Friday night takeout, and a mutual love of travel. Their shared adventures took them to breathtaking destinations around the world, where they explored with their appetites and loved with their hearts. Whether cruising the California coastline in a rented Mustang convertible, orchestrating family getaways to sunny resorts with the kids, or embarking on a scenic road trip through the vineyards of France with dear friends, Bill revelled in every adventure he shared with Carolyn.

Yet between the days filled with travel, Bill found great joy in the simple moments closer to home. His happiest times were those that unfolded around a dinner table, surrounded by family and friends-like-family. Stories were shared, politics were debated, and hours effortlessly slipped away. Dad at the dinner table is what his kids will remember and miss the most.

Bill spent every summer of his life at the family cottage on Gull Lake in Minden. For five generations, the cottage has served as a backdrop to countless family memories. Here, Bill found his happy place, steering the boat with a contagious enthusiasm that turned ordinary days into extraordinary memories. A cottage day was not complete without a glass of red wine on the porch, where he wove tales of the lake’s history, creating a timeless narrative that will forever echo in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to hear it.

His summers at the cottage were made possible because of Bill’s illustrious, fulfilling career as an English teacher at R.S. McLaughlin C.V.I. in Oshawa, where he devoted his entire 31-year career. Bill’s teaching legacy was marked by an unwavering passion for literature, a deep appreciation for symbolism and archetypes, and an infectious love for musical theatre. Through his inspirational approach, he left an indelible mark on hundreds of students over the years, guiding them to not only appreciate the subjects at hand, but also foster a deep love for learning along the way. His impact extended far beyond the classroom, encouraging meaningful connections with both education and community that resonated throughout the lives of those he taught.

In retirement, Bill generously devoted his musical talents into the heart of St. Mark’s United Church in Whitby, where he wrote and performed countless songs with his choir, Mixed Blessings. One of his greatest musical accomplishments was writing the score for Scrooge’s Tale, a production that evolved into a beloved Christmas tradition at St. Mark’s that enchanted Durham region audiences for many years.

Whether you knew Bill as a teacher, a mentor, a colleague, a director, or a friend, one common thread defined him: his unfailing ability to see and bring out the best in everyone. But if you knew Bill as “Dad”, “Papa” or “Bear”, you were the luckiest of them all.

Bill’s family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at both the Durham Regional Cancer Centre and at Toronto General Hospital, with a special acknowledgement to Dr. Rob Hamilton, for his unwavering commitment to Bill’s care and comfort. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bill’s memory to the Lakeridge Health Foundation.

Friends and loved ones are invited to attend the visitation to celebrate Bill’s one-of-a-kind life on Friday, March 1 from 2-4 p.m. or 7-9 p.m. at Thornton Funeral Centre (1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa). The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 12 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Church (201 Centre St. South, Whitby), with a reception to follow at Thornton Funeral Centre. A private burial service will be held later on Saturday at Thornton Cemetery.