Trenton’s own Roy Bonisteel, journalist, host of CBC’s long running Man Alive, Order of Canada recipient, and citizen court judge, enjoyed an illustrious career in newspapers, radio and television.
The man who interviewed world renowned public figures from screen legend Lee Marvin to Mother Theresa will soon be immortalized by his home town through the creation of The Roy Bonisteel Tribute Garden.
On January 13, 2014 Quinte West Council overwhelmingly approved of the request to provide a permanent home for the project outside the library with a stunning view of the Bay of Quinte. Community Living Quinte West is on board ready to accept tax deductible donations from the public.
And now we need your help. With the groundwork in place for this worthy project we have every hope that you, as citizens, community supporters, well wishers and friends and neighbours of Roy, will contribute whatever you can to help us complete our goal. Every dollar will help to create the Roy Bonisteel Tribute Garden, a memorial to the man who in his day brought the world into our living rooms, but never left his Trenton roots.
See our list of donors to date.
The project is estimated at a cost of $135,000. Fundraising is underway, and cheques can be made payable to the “Roy Bonisteel Tribute Garden” and mailed to:
Roy Bonisteel Tribute Garden
c/o Community Living Quinte West
11 Canal Street
Trenton, Ontario
K8V 4K3
For further information contact: Angela Smylie: [email protected] and visit the Roy Bonisteel Tribute garden Facebook page!
This garden project is the brainchild of Angela Smylie, a resident of Quinte West who got to know Roy in his latter years. “One of the most treasured gifts I have ever received in my life is an autographed CD of Roy reading of his book, There Was A Time which was a birthday gift given just a few days before he passed away. When I think about what material possessions I would grab if my house was on fire, that would be it!
“As I learn more about Roy, I realize that not only was he a great Canadian in his public life, but privately he touched the hearts of all who knew him. I am thankful that I am one of those people”. It was soon after Roy’s passing in August 2013 she had her ‘Eureka’ moment: “We could not let someone of Roy’s stature to go unrecognized in our community”. It was then the Garden idea started to grow.
Centered in a garden that will reflect aspects of Roy’s life and personality will be a life size bronze sculpture. Angela has commissioned renowned Canadian sculptor Brett Davis to begin work out of his studio Age of Bronze in Newmarket Ontario. She has enlisted Roy’s friend and landscape designer Andre Ypma of Modern Earthscapes Land Design who shares Roy’s preference for natural landscapes as evidenced in previous projects.
We would like to sincerely thank all of our generous donors.
Diamond Sponsors
The City of Quinte West with Mayor John Williams and Mayor Jim Harrison
John and Angela Smylie, Smylie’s Independent Grocer
Eben and Gwen James – Trenton Cold Storage
Platinum Sponsors
Joe Dibbits – Dibbits Excavating
Paul and Karen Whitley
Gold Sponsors
8 Air Maintenance Squadron – with LCol Andrew Wedgwood, HCol, Sam Reid, and CWO Thaddeus Poper
Andre Ypma – Modern Earthscapes Land Design
Oaks Canada
The Hennessey Foundation
Garth Stephanson
Wayne and Gail Scaletta Scalleta Sand and Gravel
Silver Sponsors
Trenton DBIA
Brian Weston and Lesley Bonisteel Old Church Theatre
Wayne Simmons
Phil Panelas
Kiwanis Club of Trenton
The Ed Harry Family Includes: Ed & Betty Harry, David, Heather, Kayla, Jordan & Emily Harry, Bruce, Sandra, Ty & Mellisa Harry, James, Susan, Kevin & Zack Harry, Dawn, Mark, Meghan, & Jayna Harry Adrain, Janet Gaudet, and Beth McKinney.
Trenton Horticultural Society
Dan and Pat Koets
Quinte Sunrise Rotary Club
Shane O’Shaughnessy – The Red Shark
Sonja Bata
Silver
Mrs. Elizabeth Morton
Hugh and Donna O’Neil
Jacques & Robin Pilon
Maurice (Lefty) Reid
Donna & Rocky VanVliet
The Trenton Lions Club
The Trenton Lioness Club
Dini Petty
Connon Nurseries
Dr. Patricia Conroy
Terry Livingston – Legacy Collision Centre
Bronze Sponsors
Hollandale Landscaping and Garden Centre
Dianne and Wayne Campbell of Montrose Inn
Steve Sweet’s RV & Parts Depot
West City Honda
John and Janet Foster
Steve and Sylvie Jonsson
Dr. Don Cooke
Bill and Sue Rolf – HD Rolf the Jeweller
Karl’s Wrought Iron
Campbell Monuments
Contributors
Lou and Diane Rinaldi
Steve and Doris Arppe
Elma Nugent
Margaret & Aubrey Rainford
David Lowthian
Duncan Armstrong
Christina Edwards-Scott
Mark Goulden
Kelly Butt of Wish Etc.
Suzanne Andrews
A. Bradbury
Karen and Rod Salley
Douglas Lowry
Quinte Tweed Master Gardeners
Mrs. Barbara Minaker
Mrs. May McCullough
Leighton Kemp
The Kingston Heritage Ambassadors
Marilyn & Armin Quickert
Maureen Piercy
Jeanette Sanderson
Judy Norlock
Sandra and Stuart Wright
Mary O’Flynn
Christine and Russ Connor
Marie Thompson
Andy Thompson
Chester Stocki
Sean Friday
Kurt Bonisteel
Hannah Bonisteel
Anne-Lucie Bouchard
Joan Jeffrey
Jessica Campney
Debra Turrall
Starr Olsen
Toni Kirby
Louise Sandercock
Dave and Nancy Lowthian
Ian Smylie
Megan Smylie
Kate Everson
Irene and Norm Bastin
Magnolia Cottage
Lanning Headwear
Boretski Gallery
Jim & Dave’s Antiques
Linda Minty
Marianne Stratton
Rita and Richard Turtle
Carol and Peter Snell
Olive and Dr Rev. Hal Wilson
Astrid Young
Doug Wicken
Joe Callahan
Amy Fort
Cindy Weaver
Roanna, John, and Penny Kitchen
Michael Woodwin
Dave Curtis
Rick Hodgson
Andy Sparling
Dave Reed
Wilson Lee
Gerry Quick
Helen Bonisteel
Jack Reed
And all those anonymous contributors who donated at our various locations throughout Quinte West.
