Tribute Garden

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

Rotary Club of Trenton

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