We sadly announce the passing of John William Edward "Bill" BELLIVEAU of Shediac, NB on January 13, 2025. He is survived by his wife/partner/soulmate of 30 years Sheila (Tutty) McAllister.
Bill is survived by his four children; Tim (Susan Beattie), Paul, and Anne (Joseph Penkarski) with his first wife Elinor (Woodliffe); by his daughter Jacqueline Belliveau (Justin Hyslop) with the late Sharon (Robinson); by his grandchildren Charlotte (Curtis Thompson) and her sons Jack and Emmett, Devynn Belliveau (Jeremy Kuzma), Jaimee Belliveau-Penkarski, Ashley Penkarski (Jeff Bassett) and her daughter Blair, Jonah Belliveau Wood, Lyla Belliveau Wood, and Olivia Belliveau Wood; by his brothers Richard, Tim (Suzanne Pelham), and Peter (Lynn Parsons), sister-in-law Rita Auffrey; and by many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents John Edward "Ned" Belliveau and Gertrude Adell (Pujolas), as well as his brother Michael.
Bill was born 24 November 1940 in Moncton, NB. The family moved shortly after to Windsor ON, then to Chatham ON and in 1945 to Toronto.
In Toronto, he attended Blessed Sacrament grade school followed by St. Edward’s school and then St. Michael’s College School. Bill loved playing football and especially hockey on St. Michael’s teams. Bill then attended St.Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS studying commerce.
Bill’s career path started in Toronto with American Airlines where he worked in different capacities for six years. He then moved on to Tandy Advertising working with his father Ned. There he found his talent in advertising which later led him to Halifax where he founded Wilshar Advertising.
In 1979 Bill launched Impact Publishing which established the popular and award-winning Atlantic Insight magazine. This was followed by a return to advertising in Toronto and subsequently in Calgary. Bill returned to the Maritimes working in consulting with Hawk Communications and various organizations.
Throughout his career Bill shared his expertise on many boards, including United Way Halifax, Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, Canadian Publishers Association, Magazines Canada, Calgary Economic Development board, Calgary Arts Foundation, Liberal Parties of Canada & NB, PEI & NS. He also served on the board including a term as president with the Moncton Golf and Country Club. Bill was a charter member of the Probus Club of Shediac Shores, serving a term as president. He was also on the Shediac Watershed board and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) board.
Bill’s father Ned Belliveau exposed him to the world of politics, working on several election campaigns with the likes of Premier Gerald Regan (NS), Premier Alex Campbell (PEI), and many others.
For 10 years he shared his love of politics and issues with others leading a class on Public Affairs at the Tantramar Seniors College in Shediac. Monctonians will remember Bill’s well-researched weekly columns in the Times & Transcript, which were continued online once that relationship ended.
When asked what he enjoyed the most: The first election of Gerald Regan. At the time, Ned had been working with Regan but an election was called in NB and Ned’s first loyalty was to Premier Louis Robichaud so he asked Bill to spearhead the NS job. Bill worked with a small group of "young bucks" to drive the NS campaign. At the time, Regan was not expected to win. They ran hard, going throughout the province - on the last day before the election, they organized a plane tour beginning in Cape Breton and stopping at various places throughout the province culminating in Halifax. Regan would be out politicking and they had radio media making reports at each of the various stops. Bill figures that effort put Regan over the top and he won the election.
Talking about his favorite sports, golf was certainly at the top but in his early year’s hockey was right up there.
In hockey he played major junior at St. Mike’s, then later he played Junior B with a team from Aurora ON. At that time brother Mike was playing Junior B at St. Mike’s. When asked if he ever played against Mike he piped up saying yes he was getting onto the ice and Mike was rushing up and crashed into Bill. It was just an accident.
One summer he worked at Jasper Park Lodge. While there, he managed to play a lot of golf. Towards the end of summer he bought a set of clubs. Not the expected use of a summer’s job earnings.
Bill always had a sense of decency. During the latter days of Atlantic Insight, a search was on for outside investment. He had a prospective backer who was interested but Bill would have had to bankrupt the company first. He walked away from that prospect, as he didn’t want to "stiff" the various businesses, especially the small businesses that had been working with the company. In addition, there was the thought of having to layoff staff. Essentially he put the people first. It was his basic decency.
Bill always enjoyed people interaction; he liked schmoozing. He liked participating in various associations. He liked making contacts and making friends and being welcomed into people’s homes.
When asked – how would you like to be remembered? "as a great guy" he answered somewhat flippantly with a smile but it was likely an honest answer. He was a great guy that most people who knew him will attest.
Bill was proud of his four children and the adults they had become. He loved seeing his grandchildren and great grandchildren especially in summer when they would spend time gathering in Shediac. He agreed that all of them are his true legacy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Albert House hospice who took care of Bill in his last days.
A celebration of Bill’s life will take place in Shediac this summer. If you wish to make a donation in memory of Bill, please donate to Maison Albert House SENB or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the professional care of Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, Shediac (506-532-3297).
Words of comfort and donations may be made at