In Memory of Bill Patchett, Past District 7070 Governor 

Bill Patchett - Past District 7070 Govenror - Rotary Club of Cobourg

January 24, 1939 - May 10, 2019

It is with sadness, and great pride for a life well-lived, that we announce the passing of William R. (Bill) Patchett of Cobourg. Bill dedicated his life to caring for his extended family, his community, and the world at large, with his zest for life and love of people, his philanthropy and his extensive fund-raising. The family ask that you respect their privacy at this time, and hope that friends and supporters will take the time to give back to the community in Bill’s memory, to honour his legacy. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com

From District Governor Mary Lou Harrison: 

To our Rotary Friends around to world,

It is with a very sad heart that we share with you that Past District Governor Bill Patchett died on Friday, May 10, 2019 in hospital just before the weekly meeting of his beloved club, the Rotary Club of Cobourg. A moment of silence in Bill's honour , was observed at the May 11, 2019 District 7070 Assembly. Here are some of the most most recent photos we have of Bill. He was determined to be at so many events in the past year. we are so grateful for his passion for Rotary, and for the Rotary Foundation Your family of Rotary in District 7070.

From Kim Rudd, MP Northumberland—Peterborough South, Ontario

In Memoriam William R. "Bill" Patchett:  Tireless. Compassionate. Giving. Positive. Relentless. Philanthropic. Humanitarian. Hero. These are just a few words that describe the force of nature that was Bill Patchett. It’s hard to sum-up a life like Bill's. A life that has touched so many in so many ways, both big and small. What do you say about a man who has moved mountains, but has also helped so many so quietly?

What an amazing dichotomy it is when you think of Bill. On one side, there’s the bombastic PT Barnum-esque face of so many charitable causes. And yet it’s arguably his quiet philanthropy that has changed the most lives. Bill was the true self-made man, from hard-scrabble beginnings to greatness. Bill never forgot what it means to struggle; what it means to feel vulnerable; what it means to go without.

He channeled early adversity into incredible personal success. In doing so, he brought those gifts that take you from hard times to good times, and used those every day to help in any way he could. And something we all need to remember is that Bill Patchett didn’t HAVE to do what seemed to come so easily to him: being a force for good.

Bill was a true “agent for change,” but I do have to give away quite possibly the secret alchemy to Bill’s magic, and that’s the love and support of one of the strongest, most fearless and unselfish people: his wife Delphine. They say that behind every great man is an even greater woman. No adage could be more true than in their remarkable love story. 

I wouldn’t be an MP without the support of Bill and Delphine. Bill raised the money for me to be able to run, and Delphine let him do that. She could have said, “Bill, we’ve done enough.” Instead, she said, “Bill, whatever I can do to help.”  I want to say thank you to both Bill and Delphine. I wish those words were shinier and I wish they could be louder. I wish those words could capture what you’ve both done to affect such positive force in a world that can at times be so dark. I wish I had words that could let you both know how loved you are. Again, I can only say: thank you. 

From Rick Riley, President, Rotary Club of Cobourg:

Our Club members were saddened to learn yesterday of the passing of beloved member Bill Patchett. Bill was a dedicated Rotarian a Past President, Past District Governor and Past Chair of the District Rotary Foundation. He was an outstanding leader and philanthropist in our community. Bill raised millions of dollars to help Eradicate Polio and for many local community organizations including the Northumberland Hills Hospital and the Northumberland United Way. We will miss him, our Rotary family will miss him and our community will miss him. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Delphine and his family. 
 

From John Russell, President, Rotary Club of Campbellford

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Campbellford our deep condolences to Delphine and the Patchett family. Bill was a true community builder for all of Northumberland County. He supported countless local charities and his work with Rotary was never-ending, especially his dedication to the Rotary Foundation and EndPolio Now Initiative. He set an example for all of us to follow. Our paths crossed many, many times over the years. He was a friend and mentor. 
 

From David Andrews, Past President, Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood

It is with a great deal of sadness that your friends in the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood learned of the passing of our dear friend, Past District 7070 Governor Bill Patchett . Bill was a true gentleman, a Rotary dynamo, and our District 7070's strongest champion of The Rotary Foundation. He encouraged all of us to be better Rotarians. He set the bar high and always led by example. Our deepest sympathies to Delphine the family. He left us with a magnificent legacy by telling us all to continue our support for our Rotary Foundation. The Rotary world has lost a great philanthropist.

From Past District 7070 Governor Mike Cooksey:

Bill Patchett was not only a great Rotarian but a wonderful humanitarian and friend. When I was DG I would get the calls from Bill. Don’t worry he and our District Foundation Team would not only meet but exceed our elevated Foundation Goals that Bill had established for District 7070. He was role to the rest of the Rotary World during the Polio Plus campaign and lead by example! 
Bill - Rest In Peace your are a hero! 

From David Piccini, MPP,  Northumberland—Peterborough South

“He was larger than life itself around here — and he gave his everything to his community.”Our community lost a great one. My thoughts and prayers go to Bill’s family. He will be so dearly missed, but leaves a lasting legacy and sets a strong example for us all!

From The Northumberland News, May 10, 2019

https://www.northumberlandnews.com/…/9348491-update-longti…/

Longtime Cobourg philanthropist, community builder Bill Patchett dies

'He was an amazing individual who had a tremendous impact in our community and beyond'

COBOURG — He was larger than life itself around here — and he gave his everything to his community. Look into any major fundraising initiative in the last three decades or so and Bill Patchett was likely involved somehow. On Friday, May 10, the longtime philanthropist and community builder died in hospital.

“He was an amazing individual who had a tremendous impact in our community and beyond,” said Lynda Kay on Friday, as she reflected on her “many memories with Bill” and their time together working on projects and for the Northumberland United Way.

Patchett first moved to the area in 1983 with his family from the North York area, where he owned and operated a number of grocery stores.

As the years passed, he eventually downsized and said goodbye to the grocery business — and this was the start of the full-time fundraising extraordinaire widely known today.

Over the years, he helped raise millions for his community and really the region by supporting countless charities, groups and institutions.

From the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), to the Marie Dressler Foundation, the Northumberland United Way, Keystone House, Habitat for Humanity Northumberland, the YMCA, the Children’s Foundation and the Northumberland Community Counselling Centre (NCCC), to name just a few, he helped them all.

He was also a longtime Rotarian.

He was the type of man, as previously reported in Northumberland News, who underwent cancer treatments in the morning at NHH, and by the afternoon, was on the road raising funds for hospital equipment.

“Bill chaired United Way campaigns in 1998, 1999 and 2009, raising over $2,000,000 dollars for the organization,” said Kay. “He had boundless energy and ideas, and never hesitated in asking individuals or companies for support for the cause he was involved with.”

When asked about some of her favourite memories with Patchett, Kay recalled the 30th anniversary of the United Way campaign in 1999 and the Beat the Lake event.

“Paul Caldwell, Bill Moebus and Jim Edwards, in honour of our anniversary, determined they would paddle across Lake Ontario to raise funds for United Way,” she said.

Of course, “Bill loved the idea,” so much so, he travelled around town with the canoe on his car.

And he made sure there wasn’t a spare inch on the canoe that wasn’t covered by a sponsor’s name, recalled Kay.

That event alone raised more than $24,000 for the United Way.

“Bill also joined us on the adventure across the lake and we wondered if he would wear his famous cowboy boots on the sail boat we were using to follow the paddlers,” said Kay. “He left them at home.”

Kay remembers the community builder as a man who was “always up for a challenge.”

From The Rotary Club of Colborne:

Our hearts go out to the Patchett family as we learn of the passing of philanthropist Bill Patchett.  Mr. Patchett was a instrumental as a fundraising giant in our Northumberland community. He was a community leader and driving force behind a large number of local institutions and charities and was a legendary Rotarian for his drive and perseverance for powerful causes. In our Colborne community, he was pivotal in the fundraising efforts for young Nathan Kelly and his battle with cancer. We remember a great man, great Canadian and moreover a generous soul from top to bottom.

From the Rotary Club of Belleville:

It is with a great deal of sadness that we learned of the passing of PDG William (Bill) Patchett (2006-07) from the Rotary Club of Cobourg. Bill was a passionate Rotarian who strongly believed in helping others and in encouraging Rotarians to contribute to our Rotary Foundation. To his wife Delphine and his family, our sincere condolences. Bill was a true gentleman and will be missed by all who knew him.

From snapd Northumberland West:

snapd is sad to hear about the passing of Bill Patchett, we will always remember his generosity and smile. Recently we purchased a tile in Bills Garden, a dedication to Bill and everything he has done for the Northumberland Hills Hospital. We will ALL miss you Bill.

More photos of Bill can be found in a photo album on our District Website and also on our District 7070 Facebook Page