William ‘Bill’ Thomas FCIP Boland
August 26, 2020
Born June 17, 1944 in Toronto. Beloved husband for over 50 years of Maureen Montgomery, with daughters Tammy Belaire (John) Ford, Traci Lynn Boland and granddaughter Hailey Belaire by his side. Brother-in-law to Anne Montgomery. Uncle to: Leslie De Carli (Claudio), Dennis Dimitroff (Laura), Linda Passarelli (Tony), Corinne Carroll, John Montgomery, Michael Montgomery (Reese), Cornelius O’Connell, Theresa Lancelove (Victor), Albert Hamblin, and all their children. Cousin to: Lori Reynolds-Stroud (Cliff), Michael Reynolds (June), Jacqueline Boland Gillis (Mike), and their children. Bill passed away Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Predeceased by his father, Thomas (1970), and his mother, Hazel (née Ostley) (1986). Bill started his general insurance career in 1965 with The Hartford, in Toronto where he obtained his Fellowship Degree. In 1979, he moved to London with Anglo Gibraltar (AXA) as chief operating officer, until 1987 when he started the successful Ontario West Insurance Brokers with partner Jim Marshall. He was still active with the brokerage until his passing. During this time, Bill served on many industry committees and insurer broker councils. For over 30 years, Bill was a volunteer with Skate Canada, serving in many positions at the London Skating Club to National Board Executive. Bill was instrumental in what was the crowning achievement of his volunteer efforts, with the awarding of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships to Canada and London in 2013. Bill was also the recipient of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Citizenship Award presented to him by Governor General David Johnston. Special thanks to all the agencies, staff, nurses, and PSWs for their guidance, service and support; Dr. Andrea Mok, for her care during this difficult time; and to extended family: Dalny, Debbie, Oscar, Chris and Omer. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London. Registration is required to attend the visitation.
To register for Bill Boland’s Visitation, please click here: >Westview Funeral Chapel’s registration page for Bill Boland’s Visitation times
Please note: as per the directive of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, >https://thebao.ca/registrars-directive-changes-to-funeral-and-visitation-attendance/ attendance numbers will be restricted. Please be aware that COVID-19 protocols are in place which may preclude some from being able to attend and masks are mandatory. As per Bill’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Children’s Health Foundation or Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario, would be greatly appreciated.
Leave a tribute for William ‘Bill’ Thomas FCIP Boland
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Our condolence to you Maureen and family. What a terrible loss but we are blessed that we knew and loved Bill.
Our condolence to you Maureen and family. What a terrible loss but we are blessed that we knew and loved Bill.
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
My condolences to Bill's family on your loss. I had the pleasure of serving with Bill on an Insurance Brokers of Ontario committee for many years and he was a true gentleman who represented his profession with passion and dedication. His was always the ethical, knowledgeable, calming voice in the room. Much appreciated and will be sorely missed. Condolences to Bill's family on your loss. I had the pleasure of serving with Bill on an Insurance Brokers of Ontario committee for many years and he was a true gentleman who represented his profession with passion and dedication. His was always the ethical, knowledgeable, calming voice in the room. Much appreciated and will be sorely missed.
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Stratford Hospital Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Children's Health Foundation)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
(Donated to Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario)
Dear Maureen, Traci, Tammy and Hailey: Words cannot properly convey our deepest sympathy to all of you for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Bill will be sorely missed by those who had the honour of knowing him... As for the Ryder family, he had a profound effect on each of us in many ways. We will remember him as a generous, deeply caring and gentle man of integrity and wisdom. He was an iconic trail blazer and visionary, especially well respected by all of us in the skating community... and now it just seems there is a deep void that will be hard to replace. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers and sending our deepest sympathy and love to all of you at this difficult time. Julie, Bryan, Lindsay, Lauren and Carly
To Maureen, Traci, Tammy and Hailey Our heartfelt condolences to all of you. Bill will be missed, what a profound loss of a great Leader. May you be blessed with patience and comfort in the days ahead of you. You are in our thoughts. Sincerely Richard and Rafiyah
Bill and I go back to grade 2 @7 years of age in North Toronto. We lost touch after high school but reconnected after Theatre London at Goody's Restaurant over 40 years ago. Since then with Maureen, Elizabeth and I have created a foursome that is beyond friends. They have attended all 3 of the Christening parties of our children and their weddings and we have vacationed together in Myrtle Beach many times in the past. Bill was an only child and I had no brothers. So we in many ways filled a void for each other. I lost my best friend who I grew to respect and admire not only for his ability and ethics but for the gentleman that he was. A bond that grew is unique and I will cherish that always as I was a very lucky guy to have him in my life. Elizabeth and I extend our sympathy to Maureen and their family. They will continue to be in our lives going forward as I promised Bill last Sunday evening when we had our final time together.
Terribly sorry to hear of Bill's passing !! He was my "Insurance Guy" Always a real gentleman. His accomplishments will be remembered by all the people whose lives he touched. He will be missed !!
I am very saddened by Bill's loss. This is great loss for area Figure Skating.
Dear Boland Family I am very sad to hear you and we have lost this very special man. I worked with Bill in the insurance industry (and in his early insurance days he also worked with my Dad !!) Bill was the man I trusted with all my family's personal insurance needs. He always had time to ask and chat about my family and life in general and was genuinely interested and caring. The way Bill lived his life certainly made a difference in the world...we can truly be inspired by his kindness and generosity of time and talents. I am grateful to have known this fine man. Nanci Harris
Our sincere condolences to Maureen and the girls. Bill had a remarkable career both professionally and as a volunteer. Mike and Adele.
Ann and I are so very sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He touched our lives in many ways, all of them for the better. We will miss him. Dom and Ann.
To Traci and family My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. Your obituary truly highlights what a wonderful person he was and will always be remembered as. What a true gentleman and giving family man. Much love and respect to you all Lesley
I knew Bill for only a few years when I lived at Cadeau Terrace, but I enjoyed our many conversations together when he walked Cassie by my house and he would stop and chat. I don't think I ever heard him complain about anything, he enjoyed his life. My thoughts and prayers are with Maureen and family at this time. Joan
Dear Maureen, Traci, Tammy and families, We were so very sad to hear of Bill's passing. He was a gentleman, friend and colleague that meant so much to us. His kind, capable presence and easy grin made him a natural leader. To us in the skating family, he was a forward thinker who always considered how his actions would affect the skaters, clubs and his colleagues at every stage, from local to world levels. He rolled up his sleeves and did it all, from Dad in the stands to Novice judge, to chair of many International events including the most exciting synchro World Championships ever in London in 2007! He was part of so many moments we will never forget! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. He will be sadly missed.
Our Deepest Sympathy from one skating family to another from all of us at Skate Canada National Service Center, Ottawa, ON
Very sorry to hear of Bill's passing-my condolences to his family. Bill personified what it meant to be a professional insurance broker and was a respected and admired member of our insurance community.
Was sorry to read in the paper of Bill's passing. I met Bill many, many years ago when I was shopping for insurance. I stayed with him and the firm to this day because he always provided quality advice based upon our situation and needs. He always showed interest in our family. May many positive memories comfort you now and in the future.
Dear Maureen, Traci, Tammy & Family. We are saddened to hear of Bill's, Mr. Boland's passing. His pain and suffering has ended. RIP. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in your time of sorrow and loss. God Bless. Joan, Herb & Jennifer
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies on the passing of our Dear Uncle Bill. He was a special person who I admired as a great man. The way he conducted his life with compassion, service, humility, devotion to family and his community is an example to us all. We will cherish the time he was with us with many fond memories. We wish love and support to the Boland family during this time.
Laima and I are saddened to hear about Bill's passing. Our deepest sympathies go out to Maureen, Traci, Tammy and their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are saddened to learn of Bill's passing and send condolences to Bill's family. We will miss Bill's smile and conversations at Knights games. We are Knights season ticket holders and met Bill at Budweiser gardens. May your memories sustain Bill's family as you face this challenging time.
My sincere condolences to Bill's family. He always spoke so proudly of his family and their accomplishments. Bill was a very special member of our skating community; a consummate gentleman, kind and helpful, always ready with a smile. He championed synchronized skating and his guidance and support were integral. There will be an emptiness without Bill's presence at Skate Canada events.
I wish to add my condolences to the Boland family. I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Bill in various ways in our work for the London Insurance Brokers Association. He was a leader in our industry and a true gentleman besides. Vic Young.
We met Bill and Maureen when we first moved into Cadeau Terrace and quickly became good friends. Bill was sage, compassionate and generous. As a favour to me, he joined the condo board where he did an outstanding job. We miss him terribly already but keep recalling our good memories of him.
Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you and your family Maureen at this difficult time, from one skating family to another. Bill was a very respected gentleman and friend in the WOS skating family for many years. He truly cared about each and every skater and was there for them. My husband Clare spent many years working with Bill on the WOS Board. Our prayers and sympathy are sent from Donna, Scott and Nancy (Ravenhorst).
Sincere condolences. Bill will be greatly missed by many people including friends and acquaintances in the insurance industry.
Maureen and Family: It is with great sadness that I learned of Bill's passing. I had the honor and pleasure of working at AXA when he was the CEO. Our paths crossed in the industry for my entire working career. Please know that there is no one I admired more or held in higher esteem. The world has lost one of the good ones. You have my very deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Bill was a great friend and neighbour for all at Cadeau Terrace. His friendship and sage advice will be sorely missed. Our condolences to Maureen and family. Please be strong and know your community at Cadeau Terrace will always be there for you.
Bill was respected and a great help too us in the insurance industry and will be greatly missed
Maureen, Traci, Tammy, and Hailey, we are so sad to hear of Bill's passing, and for your loss. We met Bill and Maureen at our resort in Mexico. They quickly went from being acquaintances to friends that we looked forward to seeing every year. We have many fond memories of Bill, but he will be particularly remembered standing in the pool reading his book. Bill"s wit and wisdom was always looked forward to in the evening during our "Circle of Knowledge" discussions. He always showed such love for his family and pride in his business. We will really miss Bill but feel so fortunate that we got to know him. Danielle and Zeb also send their condolences.
"We send our deep and heart felt condolences for Bill Boland and his family; a pillar of the insurance community in London. He will be truly missed."
Dear Maureen and Family. Chuck and I are so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We will certainly miss Bill at our Mexico Resort, especially at the VIP Lounge every evening at our "Circle of Knowledge" discussions. We solved a lot of the world's problems. You have our deepest sympathy.
My sincere condolences go out to the Boland family. I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I have many fond memories of Bill during my 20 years working at the WO Office. Bill visited the office many times for meetings and sometimes just dropped in to say hello. He was a dedicated, compassionate man never afraid to step up and fight for what he truly believed in. Bill you will be missed by many. RIP knowing you made a difference. Your life was well lived.
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~ Leslie De Carli