A Local Legend Lives on - Bill Kincaid
By Susan-Belle Ferguson
around them and he was one of them.”
In July 2009, Ottawa lost a local legend, William “Bill” Kincaid, who passed away at home after a lengthy battle with cancer.
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Bill the Legend To know who Bill was and why he was such a legend, you need only to meet his warm and witty wife, Maureen. Without hesitation she shares tales of “my Bill” unabashedly expressing her admiration and appreciation for her life partner. From his spontaneous romantic gestures and never-ending good humour, to his unwavering support and adoration of his wife, it was and still is a true love affair. And as I like to think of it, the “one” we all hope to find. “He was always there when someone needed assistance in some way.”
Bill made an enormous impact on the Ottawa community during his professional career and volunteer commitments. As a local broadcast pioneer, his influence began in his radio days with CBC Prince Rupert, CFRA, CKOY (as the capital’s first talk-show host in the 1960s) and CKPM. In 1970 he moved into Cablevision as VP Marketing & Public Relations and brought the first telethon fundraiser in 1971 to the Canadian airwaves—the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy—producing and co-hosting the event for 25 years, raising over 8 million dollars. “There is no doubt that Bill Kincaid’s legacy will be for the help that he brought to children with Muscular Dystrophy and raising several millions with the Labour Day Telethons.”
Bill joined the Rideau Kiwanis Club in 1973 and was a member for 36 years, rarely missing a meeting and even becoming President in 1978. Bill was very active in the club, leading and participating in community work and raising money through various fundraisers over the years. |
Of note, in 1994, Bill was the host of a fundraiser that featured Mr. Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, and that garnered a significant amount of money for various charities in our community.
As one friend noted of Bill’s passing, “Bill was such a great community leader and a great friend to so many people.”
Bill was recognized for his tireless volunteering through several awards, including: the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal, the B'nai B'rith Citizen of the Year Award, the Polish Governments Medal of Arts & Culture, and the 35 Year Legion Honour Kiwanis Award.
No matter whom Bill encountered and befriended, he was easily remembered and always fondly. Having only had the pleasure of meeting Maureen in the fall of 2009, I am saddened that I never met Bill, but am truly in awe of the warm recollections of so many of his friends, colleagues and acquaintances. One can only try to emulate his goodness and experience the rewards of such kindness.
In conclusion
Maureen Kincaid is extremely grateful to the team from the Palliative Care Outreach Program. Their kindness, compassion and sensitivity will never be forgotten. Most importantly, the efforts of these “angels” made it possible for Bill to remain at home with his family.
"I shall pass this way but once. if there is
some good that I can do, then let me do it."
And so he did.