Passed peacefully away at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was born on Quirpon Island on April 11, 1931 to Effie Mae Laundry (nee Bartlett). Bill married the love of his life, Mabel Gillingham on November 9, 1956. Together they welcomed and raised a family of 8 children, 5 girls and 3 boys.
Bill worked many jobs over the years including: fishing, master carpentry, and mason layer. In other words, he was a “Jack of all trades”. He did whatever it took to provide for his family. If we had to name all the jobs and places he worked the list would be a mile long.
He was definitely an historical man who would tell anyone who would listen about the history of Quirpon and Quirpon Island. He loved to tell about the Royal Canadian Air Force Base that was near Cape Bauld. His folklore and history knowledge was phenomenal. He was often sought out by many media personnel such as CBC Radio and the CBC television show Land and Sea which relied on him, particularly for the episode “Which Way To Quirpon”. He also had many archeologists and historians from around the world seeking his knowledge of the local history and folklore.
In his retirement years he took up the hobby of building replicas of the Cape Bauld Lighthouse and Newfoundland dories. These too were sought by people around the world.
He met, invited, and entertained all who donned his doorstep by singing his own written songs that the performed himself on his many musical instruments.
Bill leaves to mourn: his loving wife of 66 years, Mabel Bartlett (nee Gillingham); Children: Margaret Winter (Bruce), Terry (Sadie Carroll), Eugene (Maria), Karen Patey (Enos), Marilyn Earle (Wayne), Dean (Susan), Rynette (Mike McCarthy), Frances (Chris Phillips); Grandchildren: Greg, Lisa, Bobby, Jessica, Keith, Melissa, Jennifer, T.J., Stephen, Dean Jr., William, Andrew, Jennilee, Brian, Jamie, Keira, Kaden; as well as 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; Siblings: Jessie Ivany, Roland Laundry, Calvin (Vivian) Laundry, Clayton (Dianne) Laundry; extended family: Maxiene and Ed Sumner, Sheila Broydell, Ida and Bob Haesler, Rae and Bruce Bedford; In-laws: Annie Wiseman, Edgar Gillingham, Jack (Edna) Gillingham, Doris Gillingham, Jessie Gillingham, Prentzelene Laundry, Ola Richards, as well as other extended family and friends.
He is predeceased by his Mother, Effie Mae Laundry (nee Bartlett); Mother and Father in-law: Charles and Fannie Gillingham; very special Aunt and Uncle: Joshua and Violet Bartlett; Brothers: Ches and Albert Laundry, Wayne Bartlett, Leonard Broydell; Sisters: Dinah Richards, Claudia Mercer, Verna Luikert; In-laws: Harry Ivany, Shirley Laundry, Gladys and Harry Woodland, Fred Wiseman, Joyce Gillingham, Fraser Gillingham, and Maurice Gillingham.
The family would like to send a special “thank-you” to the Nurses, Doctors and Staff on Level 2 at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital for their kind and compassionate care of our wonderful dad as well as Rev. Mark Wilkoff and KM Fillatre.
Visitation to take place from the Central United Church, Quirpon Branch from 7-9 on Monday, August 21st 2023 and from 2-4 and 7-9 on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Mark Wilkoff officiating. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers donations are graciously accepted in memory of Bill to either the Diabetes and Alzheimer’s association or to the Central United Church. The funeral will be live streamed on Facebook.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Alicia Patey Funeral Director.