PEI and our arts community have lost a dear friend this week. Our hearts go out to Bill McFadden’s family and friends. Bill has left a tremendous legacy here on PEI and especially in the arts.

Our staff has been sharing fond memories of Bill since we heard the sad news. We have many happy stories of him at Harbourfront and about seeing him around the Island community, and in all the stories, it’s clear that he has left an indelible mark on a lot of lives and created so many magical moments that we won’t forget.

On behalf of the whole Harbourfront family, we send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

William Raymond “Bill” McFadden, Charlottetown, PEI moved on from this life to the next on May 6, 2020. Bill was born on December 13, 1947 in Heidelberg Germany, an American who came to call PEI home more than a half century ago. Bill will be lovingly remembered by family including his children: Corin McFadden (Charlottetown) and grandchildren Sebastian and Eden and Corin’s mother Susan Partridge; Eli Smyth (Charlottetown), Will McFadden (Carly Martin, Charlottetown) and grandchildren Ruby, Margo and Izzy and their mother Laurel Smyth; Elizabeth McFadden (Matt Stickland, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) and grandson Oliver, (Elizabeth’s mother Teresa Zaat Mahoney-deceased); Bryde MacLean (Halifax, Nova Scotia), and Bryde’s mother Sharlene MacLean; Ferne McFadden (Lorne Jr. Blesse, High Level, Alberta) and granddaughter Charlotte; Sarah McFadden (Montreal, Quebec), Marilyn Rose McFadden (Peter Bridgwater, Grand Cache, Alberta), Shannon McFadden (Birmingham, England), and their mother, Shirley Cole; Step daughter Tara MacLean (Charlottetown) and family with whom he has remained close over the years; as well as sisters Midge (Jim) Kelly and Barbara (Richard) Dodge and their families, all living in the US, along with cousins, and their families spread across the US. Bill was predeceased by his son Jesse McFadden (Vancouver, BC), as well as his parents Colonel Jack McFadden and Dorothy (Roberts) McFadden, both from the US. Bill will also be fondly remembered by new and old friends close by and far afield. Bill is well known in the Island Theatre community, and across the Canadian Professional Theatre circuit, having performed over many years from Victoria Playhouse on PEI, to Neptune Theatre in Halifax, to Theatres in Port Hope, Ontario to Richmond and Prince George BC. He is also remembered for roles in TV series, movies, films and local and national commercials. Along with his love of acting, Bill played an active role in the Church, notably as a Licensed Lay Reader with the Anglican Parish of New London for nearly two decades. He has continued in less formal roles which included, most recently, regularly leading Evening Prayer at St Peters Church in Charlottetown. On Bill’s request, arrangements will be made with and held at St Peter’s Church Anglican Church, Charlottetown, PEI, with internment at St Stephen’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Irishtown, PEI. In leu of flowers, Bill has requested donations be quietly and privately made to a charity of choice.

PEI Professional Theatre Network