In Celebration of

William "Bill" Mugford

January 14, 1946 -  March 20, 2025

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of William "Bill" Donald Mugford on March 20, 2025. Bill was known as an intellectual and a philosopher with varied interests and a quick, dry wit. He loved a good time and took great joy in sharing quality food & drink and hearty laughs with his friends and family.

Bill was born in Glace Bay, NS on January 14, 1946 and was predeceased by his wife, Eiko Diane Mugford (1945-2019), and leaves behind his daughters Alison Marconicchio (Vito) and Zoé Doyle (Michael, Coco, Bonham, Hawksley), his siblings Don, Roxanne (Mel, Laura, Joel), Ed (Nancy, Michael), Greg (Annie, Éric, Philippe), and in-laws Ron (Valerie, Lindsey, Logan) and Sherry (Koji, Lauren, Justin).

Bill obtained both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from U of T, with a focus on French Literature. He married Diane in 1968 and spent the early years of his career teaching high school, first in Niagara Falls and then in Thunder Bay. In the early 80’s he decided it was time for a different challenge and pursued his law degree at the University of Windsor, after which he & the family moved back to Toronto where he articled at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Bill remained at Blakes and practiced business, corporate & commercial law with expertise in real estate, financing, construction, and mergers & acquisitions, eventually becoming a Senior Partner. Bill had an absolute passion for practicing law which drew him to a post-retirement assignment at RBC working on domestic & international financing for their wealth management group.

An avid follower of sports, Bill was a lifelong Leafs fan, a true-blue Jays fan, preferred CFL to NFL, and enjoyed golf, basketball, curling, and the Olympics. Bill loved to golf and revelled in his annual golf trips to Arizona with his pals. He also had a keen love of music and often listened to classic rock, jazz & blues, and classical music… up loud! He was a supporter of the arts and frequented the TSO, AGO, ROM, Royal Alex, Stratford and, of course, The Company Theatre which Diane was heavily involved in. He read the daily newspaper religiously and always had a good mystery or spy novel on the go.

A man of deep integrity, Bill was contemplative and measured, principled and ethical, brave and determined, and had a distinct and unrivalled strength of character. He was loved deeply by many and is missed greatly.

The family thanks the staff at TGH, PMH, and Kensington Hospice for their dedicated care and support.

A Visitation will be held at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, on Thursday, April 3 from 7-9 pm. A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, April 4 at 3 pm with a reception to follow at The Crooked Cue, 3056 Bloor Street West. For those unable to attend the service in person a link to a livestream will be provided when it becomes available. If desired, donations in memoriam may be directed to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Guestbook 

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Greg Frenette (Friend and former Blakes colleague.)

Entered March 25, 2025 from Toronto

Bill was a great lawyer, but more importantly, a great person and good friend.

We will now greatly miss both he and Diane

Linda Brooks (friend)

Entered March 25, 2025 from SEAGRAVE

so sorry for the loss of a really good person -- an advisor, a counsellor and a great friend.

Imshun Je (Friend of Bill’s daughter Alie)

Entered March 25, 2025 from Toronto, ON

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Bill Mugford. May they find comfort and solace in sharing their grief, as well as in sharing their fondest memories of his life. May Bill’s soul rest in blissful peace surrounded by pure love forever more.

Brian and Karen Grys (Friends)

Entered March 26, 2025 from Blue Mountains

Out heartfelt condolences to Alie and Vito, Zoe, Mike and the “grandies.” We enjoyed our times with Bill whether it was at a few backyard parties, the infamous 2017 Washington wedding, the challenging thinning out Diane’s tchotchkes, or just chatting roadside as we walked by with Moose and Bill was raking all those leaves! He will be forever admired as the intellect, gentleman and patriarch he was. It was so evident Bill adored his family. You could see it in his smile which invariably reached his eyes. For us, Bill and his beloved Diane will always be remembered as Mr. & Mrs. White Oak. RIP Bill and thank you for the memories.

Devon Samuel Peddie (Carl Young golf tourment)

Entered March 26, 2025 from Brampton

Bill will be missed, great partner

Photos 

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