William Tamblyn

William (Bill) Tamblyn died on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at the age of 85. Bill was born and raised in the city of Toronto. Bill attended Upper Canada College and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Commerce Degree. While at university, Bill met and married Marguerite (Mugs) McCavour, his wife of 64 years. After graduation, Bill was employed by the Anglican Church and he and Mugs traveled to China. This posting was terminated with the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War and the young couple returned to Thunder Bay (Fort William) where Bill pursued his engineering career at Great Lakes Paper. Bill went on to form Great Lakes Steel and associated supply companies. Bill played an important role in establishing Lakehead University and served as the first President and Vice Chancellor from 1965-1972. Following his retirement Mugs and Bill went into the sailing charter business in Abaco, Bahamas. Summers were spent at their summer home on Lambert Island, east of Thunder Bay. In 1980, the couple retired from the charter business and spent the winters at their home in West Palm Beach. In 1995 Mugs and Bill became permanent residents of Collingwood, Ontario. As well as being involved with the University Bill was also active in the community serving as Chairman of the Fort William School Board, President of the Lakehead Builders Exchange and President of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. For all his achievements Bill was the recipient of a honorary Doctor of Law degree from Laurentian University, a Doctor of Letters degree from Lakehead University and in 1995 he was awarded the Order of Ontario. In 2007, Lakehead University honoured Bill with the dedication of the Centennial Building in his name. Mugs and Bill traveled extensively and had many good friends that they enjoyed socializing with. Many of their adventures were close to their home in Thunder Bay with time spent with friends and family sailing down the shore or across to Isle Royale. When not on the water, Bill kept himself busy throwing clay on the potter's wheel, riding his horse, downhill skiing, or putting his offspring to work on one of his numerous yet sometimes ill conceived projects. Bill is survived by his wife Mugs and his six children Ian (Amanda Shaunessy), Cherie, (Larry Freeman), Michael (Gina), Sally (Dick Hagman), David (Ruth Lepp) and Robbie (Valerie) sixteen grand children and five great grand children, numerous nieces and nephews and last but certainly not least his dog Jordi. Predeceased by brother Robert and sisters Ruth and Joan. Bill's family would like to thank the staff at Sunset Memorial, Dr. Wells and the staff of Collingwood Hospital for their dedicated service and support at this difficult time. A service to celebrate the life of Bill Tamblyn will be held in Collingwood on Friday, April 3rd at 2 p.m. when family and friends will gather at Fawcett Funeral Homes, 82 Pine Street for services with Reverend Judy Walton. A reception will follow the service. A service will be held in Thunder Bay at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully request memorials to the Parkinsons Foundation, or the William Tamblyn Scholarship Fund at Lakehead University. Friends may visit Bill's on-line Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com"