Thomas Bink

Thomas was born in Edmonton on September 17, 1969 to Werner and Christine (nee Osterlein), the younger brother of Marc, and grew up in nearby Fort Saskatchewan, AB. His early years saw periods of living abroad in places like the Phillippines and California for his father’s work as a mining executive. He was grateful always to return to The Fort.

After studying journalism at the University of Montana, Thomas embarked on a career in newspapers that evolved into the digital space. His journey began at a local paper in Castlegar, BC, before he returned to Alberta at the Medicine Hat News and later, Edmonton Journal. Thomas was lured to Toronto to help launch the online presence of the new National Post and continued on with what would become PostMedia. After 17 years with the company, he stretched his digital wings as managing editor of news at Yahoo Canada. He continued in online media at Rogers with CityNews before branching out on his own as a digital media consultant.

Thomas enjoyed a brief teaching stint at Laurier University’s Brantford campus where he was able to impart some of the knowledge he’d gleaned over the years. In truth, his strength in the online news world was in teambuilding and mentoring.

Despite departing the media business, Thomas was always a newsman at heart, consuming news in all its forms. An avid sports fan and longtime devotee of the Edmonton Oilers, he half-reluctantly cheered on the Toronto Maple Leafs and most other Canadian teams, but never the Calgary Flames. He was grateful in his lifetime to see Blue Jays world championships and last year’s Toronto Raptors championship. However, those accomplishments would always pale in comparison to his dynasty Oilers team.

Despite the gruff exterior he saved for much of the human world, Thomas was a kind-hearted soul with a love of all animals. He was a devoted pet father and was known to bring in strays and rescue sick and injured wildlife.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Christina Butterfield, parents Werner and Christine, brother Marc (Tracey) and nephew, Alex. He will likewise be mourned by parents-in-law David and Gregoria Butterfield, and Butterfield brothers-in-law Bill, Ron (Jessica), Tim (Yuki) and Daniel, along with nieces Kila and Sela.

Thomas’s wife wishes to extend her deepest gratitude to the front-line workers who responded capably and selflessly in his time of need: staff at LHIN at Fairview Health Centre, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Police Service and, of course, NYGH’s emergency room staff and critical care unit.

Thank you especially to Dr. H. Hamami, Dr. U. Hameed and Dr. K. Towns who provided compassionate care in the final weeks of Thomas’s life.