In memory of
William Robert Hawthorne
February 21, 1943 - September 28, 2026
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of William Robert Hawthorne on September 28, 2026. Bill passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa at the age of 83. Caring father of Laura, son-in-law Rob Piccione, Kathryn, and David. He will be dearly missed by his grandson Xavier, sister-in-law Gayle, niece Michelle (Sean), nephew Troy (Catherine), sister and brother-in-law, Leanne & Ian Phillips, nephew Michael (Karlene) Gabriel, grandnieces Jasmine and Maya, nephew Ryan Phillips, and extended Hawthorne, Payant and Piccione families, as well as his “Coco Fruitti” lunch buddies. Predeceased by Joanne, his cherished wife of 58 years, his eldest son, Ted, his brother Ted, and his parents William and Marion Hawthorne.
In 1943, Bill was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, where his parents Bill Sr. and Marion were doing their training, RCAF and RN, respectively. When Bill Sr. was overseas serving in WWII, Bill lived with his Mother’s family in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, the town where Bill’s parents were born and raised. Upon Bill Sr’s return from Europe, the family made their home in Saskatoon, SK where they also welcomed their 2nd son, Ted. Bill grew up on Elm St. in Saskatoon playing hockey, golf, and baseball with neighbourhood friends and enjoyed many visits to the family farm in Assiniboia where he loved visiting his many cousins and extended family. In 1954, the family moved west to BC settling in Burnaby, just east of Vancouver. After high school, Bill attended the University of BC where he eventually met his future wife, Joanne. Bill & Joanne married on December 28, 1965 and raised their family of four in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and eventually settled in Guildwood (Scarborough) where they lived for 33 years. In 2010, they moved to Oshawa.
Bill was a lifelong learner and polymath. He earned many university degrees including a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Economics) from the University of British Columbia in 1965, a Master of Arts (Economics) from the University of Toronto in 1967, a Masters of Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Washington in 1969, as well as attending McGill University to take accounting and taxation courses, where he received his CGA designation in 1976. He worked as an Accountant for Manulife, KPMG, IBM, Kingsway and eventually worked his way up to Vice President, Finance/CFO of Leitch Video International where he worked for 11 years, and then went on to be the Vice President, Finance/CFO and co-owner at MailMarketing for 12 years. One of his first jobs while in University was a cab driver and it was also his last job in ‘semi-retirement’ as he always enjoyed talking and driving. Bill continued to take college and university courses for most of his life, including taking computer programming courses.
In 2015 along came his grandson Xavier who was the apple of his eye! Grandpa loved taking Xavi to parks (along with Grandma), and watching him play sports. The new bike park was a favourite. He even played baseball with Xavi, pitching to him on their after school park visits.
Bill has always been quite the character and loved dinners at Red Lobster, ice cream, crosswords, Sudoku, watching sports and CNN, reading, debating and spending time with the family, especially at barbecues and the annual cottage week.
We would like to thank Shelley (Bill’s favourite PSW) and the Doctors and Nurses at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, especially the Critical Care Unit for their excellent care.
Cremation has taken place and in keeping with his wishes there will be no formal service.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or your favourite charity.
In 1943, Bill was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba, where his parents Bill Sr. and Marion were doing their training, RCAF and RN, respectively. When Bill Sr. was overseas serving in WWII, Bill lived with his Mother’s family in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, the town where Bill’s parents were born and raised. Upon Bill Sr’s return from Europe, the family made their home in Saskatoon, SK where they also welcomed their 2nd son, Ted. Bill grew up on Elm St. in Saskatoon playing hockey, golf, and baseball with neighbourhood friends and enjoyed many visits to the family farm in Assiniboia where he loved visiting his many cousins and extended family. In 1954, the family moved west to BC settling in Burnaby, just east of Vancouver. After high school, Bill attended the University of BC where he eventually met his future wife, Joanne. Bill & Joanne married on December 28, 1965 and raised their family of four in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and eventually settled in Guildwood (Scarborough) where they lived for 33 years. In 2010, they moved to Oshawa.
Bill was a lifelong learner and polymath. He earned many university degrees including a Bachelor of Arts (Honours Economics) from the University of British Columbia in 1965, a Master of Arts (Economics) from the University of Toronto in 1967, a Masters of Business Administration (Finance) from the University of Washington in 1969, as well as attending McGill University to take accounting and taxation courses, where he received his CGA designation in 1976. He worked as an Accountant for Manulife, KPMG, IBM, Kingsway and eventually worked his way up to Vice President, Finance/CFO of Leitch Video International where he worked for 11 years, and then went on to be the Vice President, Finance/CFO and co-owner at MailMarketing for 12 years. One of his first jobs while in University was a cab driver and it was also his last job in ‘semi-retirement’ as he always enjoyed talking and driving. Bill continued to take college and university courses for most of his life, including taking computer programming courses.
In 2015 along came his grandson Xavier who was the apple of his eye! Grandpa loved taking Xavi to parks (along with Grandma), and watching him play sports. The new bike park was a favourite. He even played baseball with Xavi, pitching to him on their after school park visits.
Bill has always been quite the character and loved dinners at Red Lobster, ice cream, crosswords, Sudoku, watching sports and CNN, reading, debating and spending time with the family, especially at barbecues and the annual cottage week.
We would like to thank Shelley (Bill’s favourite PSW) and the Doctors and Nurses at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, especially the Critical Care Unit for their excellent care.
Cremation has taken place and in keeping with his wishes there will be no formal service.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations can be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or your favourite charity.