Bill Staples left us unexpectedly on September 2nd, 2024, at the age of 86 in Miramichi, NB.  Born on November 15, 1937, in Cobourg, Northumberland County, Ontario, he was the son of the late Thomas Christopher and Caro (Burwash) Staples.  Bill is also predeceased by his brother, Robert and sister, Catherine, both residing in the Rice Lake area outside of Cobourg for most of their lives.  Bill, on the other hand, would not settle in the same townships as his immediate family.

Bill spent his childhood in and around Cobourg, graduating from Cobourg Consolidated High School in 1956, and then attending Ryerson Technical College to pursue surveying.  One of his greatest adventures took him to Greenland, where he spent a year surveying and clearing the deep woods for satellite dishes that would be used by NORAD.  He spoke of his time in the North with great fondness and pride over the years.  Upon completion, Bill returned to Southern Ontario where he met and married Rosalie (Mann) Staples on November 23, 1962.

Together, they lived in Ontario but eventually ventured to both sides of the country, first to the west coast for a short stay in Castlegar, BC, and then to the east coast, eventually settling into St. Andrews, NB, in 1970.

With the beauty of St. Andrews as his backdrop, Bill took up the sport of golf and truly excelled.  He quickly became a competitor among the membership and forged great friendships on the course.  He would come to spend the better part of his spare time on various courses throughout New Brunswick, playing both competitively and recreationally.  His greatest golfing achievement would come in the early 1990's when he secured a place on the NB Senior Team and represented the province on the national stage.

Bill worked in construction management for 30 years, which would find him on projects throughout Atlantic Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.  He was highly respected and regarded fondly by both colleagues and associates, to which his reputation would precede him wherever he went.  Bill and Rosalie remained married until Rosalie's death in 1990.  This would prove to be a void in the family that could never be filled.

Bill and Rosalie raised two children together ...

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