William David Pugliese

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of William (Bill) David Andrew Pugliese, aged 83, on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, at his home in Aurora, Ontario. Born on August 14, 1940, he was the beloved son of the late Samuel (Castellano) Pugliese and Margaret (Castellano, née Allan) Pugliese. William was predeceased by his brother, James, and his sister, Sally. William found lifelong companionship in his beloved wife, Linda Rae Pugliese (née Charlton). Together, "Pug" and "Charlie" shared a life filled with joy and laughter. Their 53 years together is a testament to the enduring power of love.

A devoted father, Bill leaves behind a legacy of love through his children: Brian (Cathy), Jason (Beth), Susan (Steve), Melanie (Mike), and Billy (Alana). Bill embraced the role of a loving grandparent to Connor, Dylan, Austin, Quinn, Alexis, Carston, Barrett, and Ivy. His unwavering support and wisdom were sources of strength for his family, and his memory will continue to guide them in their journeys. Forever a mentor, Dad/Poppa understood and encouraged the strengths of each child and grandchild and always did whatever he could to make everyone's life better, happier, and more successful.

Bill did not stop at supporting and encouraging his immediate family. He would help anyone who asked. That is one of the many reasons he was cherished by all who knew him. He was known for his wisdom, guidance, kindness, ever-readiness to assist others, remarkable generosity, and always, his fantastic sense of humour.

Bill was a visionary and the ultimate entrepreneur. Starting at an early age in sales, he sold everything from awnings and water softeners, to lighting and furniture. A supremely hard worker with an eye for opportunity, his quick mind and entrepreneurial spirit guided him through many business ventures. Ahead of the times, Bill found great success in the early 1980's with international business directories, later converting them to an online format in the infancy of the internet. Around the same time, he started The Software Shop, before most people even knew what software was. By the early 1990's, Bill embarked on a great adventure, travelling to West Africa, to co-found and create IAMGOLD Corporation. As a pioneer on yet another business frontier, Bill trailblazed into gold mining, served as CEO and Chairman on the company he founded, launched the company on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange, and was honoured by Ernst and Young with the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007. Not bad for a kid from Willowdale.

When Bill discovered his passion for boating, summers for his family were spent on the boat, Champagne Charlie. Captain Pug expertly navigated her through the lock system from Lefroy Harbour to Georgian Bay, and then later, moored her at his own marina, Driftwood Cove Marine Resort, in Port Severn, Ontario. As an avid golfer, Bill transformed his passion for the fairway into yet another visionary venture, when he created Diamond in the Ruff Golf Resort, in Muskoka. He spent much of his leisure time golfing, participating in many tournaments, and was an active member at Beacon Hall, and Magna Golf Club, in Aurora. Bill had a diverse range of interests: he skied around the world, he completed his pilot's license, flew his own plane, he loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, and he enjoyed all manner of games, from hockey and football, to poker, snooker, backgammon, and scrabble. Dad liked his coffee hot, his soup hotter, his ice cream cold and "don't put a spoon in it." He had an incredible sense of humour and could infuse even the darkest moments with a quip, joke, or one-liner, letting people know that everything would be okay.

"Pug" and "Charlie" enjoyed their last days together, playing their daily scrabble game, sitting by the fire, in the home they loved, and every single day, he made his beloved wife laugh.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Magna Golf Club (14780 Leslie St. Aurora, ON, L4G 7C3) on Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 2-6pm.