Willie P. takes a last bow in Thunder Bay
Willie P. Bennett
October 26 1951 - February 15, 2008

April 10, 2008

We've begun posting some videos from the Hugh's Room show on March 15, 2008. A big thank you to everyone who performed and came out to a very special night of wonderful music and memories.

March 5, 2008

Dear friends,

Thank you all again for your kind condolences and wonderful reminiscences and pictures you are sharing.

Willie had a small send-off on this past Saturday with family and a few close friends in attendance we howled a bit as the night wore on but most importantly took needed comfort in being together and knowing we all loved a worthy man.

For all of you who would like to attend an organised gathering for Willie P. Bennett, there are two immediate dates in Ontario coming up that I know about, and indications that there will be another planned in London at a later date.

I am sure Willie P Bennett will have many a musical note or a glass raised in his memory for years to come.

This coming weekend, on Saturday March 8, there is a service beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Market Hall in Peterborough Ontario, Willie's home town. Everyone is welcome to attend. After the service there will be a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, just up the street. For more information please call the Market Hall or check Fred Eaglesmith's website (www.fredeaglesmith.com)

On Saturday March 15, Willie was scheduled to play at Hugh's Room in Toronto. Many tickets were pre-sold for this concert.

To honour Willie's memory, and as a commitment to his audience, some of Willie's musical family have offered to step in and continue the show.

This will be a wonderful evening of Willie P Bennett songs and stories, and artists' inspired originals presented by a great group of performers including, among others;

Brent and Liam Titcomb, Joe Hall, Pat Temple and Pineapple Frank Barth, Ken Whitely, Tannis Slimmon, Russell deCarle, Rebecca Campbell and Paul Quarrington, and David Bradstreet.

There are still some tickets left. If you wish to secure a seat please contact Hugh's Room.

Also I noticed an email from Romi Mayes stating that there is a concert and live recording planned in Winnipeg MARCH 28 - WILLIE P BENNETT TRIBUTE - Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club - Winnipeg (LIVE RECORDING w/D.Rangers, Scott Nolan, Andrew Neville and more.

Please check her web site for details. www.romimayes.co

February 26, 2008

The formal and final report from the coroner's office in Oshawa this weekend was that Will died of a sudden and massive heart attack.

Willie's body was cremated Monday, with his immediate family in attendance.

Willie donated to several fine charities, and if you would like to offer any support in his memory it would best be directed privately by you to these recipients -

Save the Children Canada http://www.savethechildren.ca/index.html
4141 Yonge Street, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M2P 2A8
Tel: 416-221-5501
Toll Free: 1-800-668-5036
Fax: 416-221-8214
Email: sccan@savethechildren.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3382505/k.29EB/Contact_Us/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?
c=ikIQLcMWJtE&b=3382505&en=ovIUJ9PVJbLOL7MUIfIOL6NXInLVJhP1LnKWLfO6JzE

Your local regional Women's Shelter

The Bennett family has requested that their wish for a private ceremony be respected, but want people to know that there are plans for a larger public memorial to take place in Peterborough sometime in the future. I believe Fred Eaglesmith will be assisting with that on behalf of Willie's family - and will advertise the date through his own web site. Domenic and I will have information posted (as it becomes available) on Will's web site too.

Concert dates that were planned are in some cases being turned into concerts of tribute - and I am sure we will be celebrating his life in various gatherings for many years to come. The first of these is a show staged in his memory Thursday, February 28th in Waterloo ON at the Princess Cinemas, Office 519-884-5112 www.princesscinemas.com

A tribute is also planned for Hugh's Room in Toronto on March 15th.

Please note - if you are a musician who would like to take part please contact Holmes Hooke directly at 416 201 9048 or holmeshooke@rogers.com

Please feel free to reach me through Willie's official web site with any questions, memories or information that you would like to share.

Willie's past recordings are still carried on the Festival roster - www.festival.bc.ca

As well he had just completed work on a new collection of songs, but there are no plans to release this cd immediately. His family wants to take these steps slowly and carefully.

I hope we will be able to continue to make Willie P's music available to many generations of people beyond ours... I believe that would be the greatest tribute of all.

robin

February 15, 2008

Dear friends,

It is with pain in our hearts and deep sadness that we formally inform the music community that our friend, lover, troubadour, mentor, and musical artist Willie P. Bennett passed away suddenly at his home in Peterborough Ontario, Friday February 15th 2008.

More information will be available soon at the discretion of Willie's partner Linda and the Bennett family. Thank you for your compassionate words and positive thoughts. Willie always expected the best from us, especially in our kindnesses to each other, and I am sure he is still proud to call us his friends.

Letters of condolence and support may be sent to:

his companion in love,

Ms. Linda Duemo,
272 Bold Street
Hamilton Ontario L8P 1W2

his family,

Mrs. Margaret Bennett
Box 526
Picture Butte, Alberta T0K 1V0

care of his mother Margaret, sister Esther, (son Richard Barrett, wife Judy,grand-nephews William James and Jason Alexander), and brothers David (Brian), and Paul (Shelley, nephews Ryan, Adam and Brandon)

".....we'll understand it all in time......."

Best wishes to you all, Robin

Words From Willie
"... I am unused to being in this position. For much of my life, I have sought to give and although it's a long boring story, I have had much trouble in learning to receive. I am overwhelmed by the gift you have all given to me of your wishes for good health and long life and general well-being. I am also humbled and thankful for your financial support. And so I guess it's now time for me to learn to receive. Life is funny that way. On a more immediate plane, this is just an update to let you know that I believe I am well on the road to recovery, and I am in good spirits and enjoying some new vices such as walking and dreaming of smoking. I still haven't had the major tests that will allow the doctors to let me know exactly what is going on. Much as it goes against my personal grain to take anyone's advice, in this particular case, I think I would be prudent to listen to the doctors and all the fans who advise me to get better first, and then get back out on the road. I've gone on long enough with this communiqué. God bless you all (certainly the god of your choosing), and know that I will see you all in the future."

Sincerely and respectfully,
Willie
Peterborough, ON June 29th 2007

NEWS RELEASE JUNE 30, 2007
Willie P. Bennefitt announced for July 27 in Peterborough, featuring Fred Eaglesmith, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, and others. Click for details!

NEWS RELEASE MAY 22, 2007
Tests have shown that Willie suffered a heart attack, (more)

Secure On-Line Ordering of Willie P.'s CDs
Willie's good buddy Fred Eaglesmith's label, AML Music, is now offering four of Willie's CDs for secure online orders shipped directly to you! More info...

Photo at top: Willie P. takes one of his last bows at his final concert in Thunder Bay on January 26, 2008
Photo credit

Site updated Apr-10-2008

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