William Tobin

Tobin, William
Sept. 4, 2007

William (Bill) Tobin, 59, of Port Charlotte, died Sept. 4, 2007, at home after a long illness.
Bill was born Feb. 24, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and grew up in Oswego and Rochester, N.Y. He joined the Army in 1966 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was a graduate of the University of South Florida with his master's in rehabilitation counseling.
Bill found his true calling after he found sobriety in 1986. He worked as a therapist in many of the facilities in the area, including Riverside Behavioral Center, the Vince Smith Center, the Crisis Stabilization Unit and OARS. He was the clinical director at Family Emergency Treatment Center in Bradenton. In 2002, he started in private practice at Harbor Counseling and he ended his career at Cove Counseling.
There are many in the area who have had their lives impacted by Bill's life experiences and compassion. When not helping others in life's choices, Bill worked as the manager of several tobacco shops in upstate New York and at Smoke N Snuff at the Port Charlotte Town Center mall when it first opened.
Bill was an avid sports fan. He loved to golf, watch boxing and horse racing and play board games, blackjack and cards. He had a great sense of humor and loved music and discovering new groups. Bill was known for his love of MGs, and it was not unusual to find his head under the hood.
Bill is survived by his wife and best friend of 32 years, Sherry (Sherret), his brother, Patrick Tobin, and his sister-in-law, Lynne, of Rochester, N.Y., his sister, Alice Janosik, and brother-in-law, Charlie, of Duanesburg, N.Y., and many nieces, nephews and friends. And of course, his faithful companion, Ripley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34288, or to Fred Lang Foundation (Charlotte Behavioral Health Care), 1700 Education Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
A celebration and remembrance of Bill's life will be held today from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Café at the First Alliance Church at 20444 Midway Blvd., Port Charlotte.
Burial will be in Rochester.