It is with profound sadness that the current and former staff of CARP mourn the passing of our colleague, friend and mentor, Bill VanGorder.

Bill was part of the heart and conscience of CARP. Over nearly two decades, he served our organization in almost every way imaginable—as the founding Chair of CARP Nova Scotia, a volunteer, national board member and Treasurer, senior staff member, Chief Policy Officer, Chief Advocacy and Education Officer, and, most recently, Advocacy and Education Officer Emeritus.

But titles could never capture what Bill meant to us. He was wise, generous, funny, endlessly curious and always ready to help. He had an uncanny ability to meet someone from virtually anywhere in Canada and immediately discover a connection to their hometown, their YMCA, their theatre, their Rotary club or someone they both knew.

Bill gave older Canadians a strong, credible and compassionate voice. Whether appearing before a parliamentary committee, speaking with the media, advising a colleague or helping a CARP chapter, he brought experience, conviction and humanity to everything he did. He believed deeply that growing older should never mean becoming less visible, less valued or less involved.

In April, we celebrated Bill’s remarkable service as he retired from his formal roles with CARP:

https://www.carp.ca/2026/04/07/carp-faces-april-2026-bill-vangorder/

Only recently, Bill received CARP’s Lifetime Achievement Award at a gathering hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia—a fitting recognition of his extraordinary life of service and advocacy:

https://www.facebook.com/LtGovNS/posts/their-honours-were-delighted-to-join-members-of-canadian-association-of-retired-/1511970410962714/

He was interviewed in 2020 upon the announcement of his appointment as CARP head of policy.

https://www.carp.ca/2020/08/28/carps-new-head-of-policy-combines-years-of-experience-with-a-fresh-perspective-for-unique-recipe-of-success/

We invite you to take a few moments to read Bill’s obituary and learn more about the many people, organizations and communities touched by his remarkable life:

https://thechronicleherald.remembering.ca/obituary/william-vangorder-1094022292

To Esther, Bill’s family and the many communities that loved him, we offer our deepest condolences.

Bill’s voice, spirit and example are woven into CARP. He made our organization better, and he made all of us better. We will miss him more than words can say.

https://thechronicleherald.remembering.ca/obituary/william-vangorder-1094022292