On the last Saturday in March, the sun shone brightly as guests walked to the William Lea Room in the Leaside Arena to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of Leaside’s – and Canada’s – finest: Bill Pashby. Here they were welcomed by Bill’s family members, received a name tag and a page inviting them to find the guest named and ask them about their connections to Leaside and the Pashby family. A great party ice breaker. Only a few guests met someone new as most guests already knew almost everyone in the room.
There were treats, refreshments, and a great speech from the guest of honour. Once Bill Pashby started speaking, the room fell silent. He let the crowd know, “I’m focusing on three things – family, community service, and seniors having fun. Oh, and one more, chocolate chip cookies, (which) you’ll find baking at the back.”
A proud parent, he started speaking about his three professionally successful children Kathy, Christie and Karen, and his granddaughters. “Over the years, they’ve all joined me swimming at the Leaside pool, starting as toddlers, as I did.” Bill added, “Despite my dad’s enthusiastic support, I wasn’t an all-star hockey player, like several of my friends in this room today. I like the water warm, not frozen! The only year my LHA hockey team that I was on for seven years won the championship was the year I didn’t play. I was out with a concussion. Lucky for me, dad (well-known Leasider Tom Pashby) was a doctor and ensured I got the care needed. He was often coaching at the arena and stitched up many young players. He took pride in his ‘stitchery,’ which left no scars.”
Bill was drawn to community service formally when he was invited to join the Leaside Arena board… only to find out that the roof was at risk. The province mandated the board conduct roof inspections with each heavy snowfall and get busy planning structural improvements. A rude awakening for a novice board member. Undaunted, Bill stayed on and added many board appointments and fundraising positions in the years ahead, including a decade as chair with TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization, only stepping down in 2018.
Bill confessed to his guests, “I’m a fun-loving guy and seniors need to have fun.” This was confirmed by his pickleball mates at the party, who pong regularly every Tuesday afternoon.
The Pashby family’s connections to the Leaside Arena run deep. Dr. Tom Pashby’s career and community contributions have featured in past Leaside Life issues. A February 2017 article highlighted Leaside’s new Dr. Tom Pashby Play Safely Rink. The ‘Play Safely’ part of the name came from the Dr. Tom Pashby Play Safely Fund, which donated $500,000 to bring Leaside rinks up to NHL safety standards.
Bill told the guests, “You can see the plaque and a photo, in the arena, just outside this room’s door.” He added, “A renovation of the original rink to bring it up to current NHL safety standards begins this April with project completion planned for January 2026. The renovation will also include this room, so this is most certainly the last 80th celebration before the work (starts).”
As guests were beginning to leave, Bill said, “It’s the people, not the place, that make a party. Thanks for joining my celebration and do keep an eye out for the reopening of the William Lea Room.”
As the party was wrapping, a few guests gasped. Word spread quickly. Torrential rain was teeming down. Someone shouted, “Is it possible Bill ordered this rain? He does love swimming.” Those who’d enjoyed their glorious walk to the party realized it was going to be a soggy trip home. Yet, right away, Leaside’s community spirit kicked in. Drivers started offering rides. No one would head home soggy.
