William Bottos

Bill was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. He was born in the East End of Fort William where he grew up and made many enduring friendships. Bill attended St. Peter’s School and St. Patrick’s High School. After high school, he attended the University of Windsor, returning to Thunder Bay to teach with Lakehead Public Schools for over thirty years. The majority of his career was spent in the Guidance Department at Sir Winston Churchill CVI where he also coached basketball.
In his retirement, Bill served on the Employment Insurance Appeal Board. He was also involved in community groups, being a past President of the Da Vinci Center, volunteering with the Liberal Party of Ontario, and volunteering with his lunch group friends at Lappe Nordic Center.

Bill loved the outdoors. A big part of his life was spent hunting and fishing with his friends. When he was no longer able to hunt and fish due to Parkinson’s Disease, he enjoyed nature from his spot on the deck at his camp on One Island Lake.

Over the course of his Parkinson’s journey, Bill benefitted from the care of Dr. Mandar Jog and the London Health Sciences Center Movement Disorder Clinic. The care and treatment that he received was transformative. Bill’s family is also grateful for the care he received as a resident of the Celeste home area of Roseview Manor. During the five years that he lived there, the Celeste staff’s genuine care for Bill was evident.

Bill was pre-deceased by his parents William and Eola (Zanutto) Bottos, and by his uncle, Robert Bottos, with whom he enjoyed a close relationship. He is survived and remembered by many close friends; his former wife, Janice Ormiston; and by his siblings, Robert Bottos (Heather) of New Brunswick, and Sisters Trina and Dianne Bottos CSJ, both of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Blind River, ON.

Bill will be especially missed by his daughters, Amy Bottos (Ben Ong) of Thunder Bay and Leah Weeks (Jeff) of Oshawa, ON, and by his beloved granddaughters, Ainsley and Eleanor Weeks, to whom he was a loving Nono.

Arrangements are in the care of Blake Funeral Chapel. Cremation has taken place and a funeral service will be held in the summer with notice to follow. In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Bill’s 25 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, his family would appreciate donations to Parkinson Canada.