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WILLIAM CARL BACKMAN
Born: Sep 17, 1942
Date of Passing: Feb 05, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM CARL BACKMAN
Bill was born and raised in Winnipeg and lived there most of his life. He was predeceased by his parents, Emil William Backman and Mary Backman (nee Scalena), his loving wife Enid, daughter Leigh, and Enid’s parents, Kitty and Bill Aiken.
He is survived by his son Tony and daughter-in-law Melanie, grandson Rick Gushuliak, great-grandsons, Dominick and Kayden Twoheart, sister Judith Murchison, nephew Damon Murchison and many relatives and friends.
Bill was an original and threw himself into anything he endeavoured to do with passion and commitment. He had a very successful career as an English and Drama teacher, most notably at Sturgeon Creek Collegiate. He was often referred to by former students as “my favourite teacher”.
In his early career he enjoyed coveted overseas assignments and with wife Enid and young Tony and Leigh they relocated to Newcastle on Tyne and later to Baden Baden, Germany where he taught the children of Canadian Air Force personnel. These postings afforded the young family the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe.
Back home in Winnipeg they settled into the family home on Guildford Street in St. James. Bill enjoyed a variety of social activities that kept him busy with his many friends and family. He played guitar in a band with son Tony (on drums) and fellow teachers at Sturgeon Creek Collegiate (Jeff, Berry, Brad, Darren and Jan). They were called the Incontinentals and had a good four year run playing at private parties and wedding socials.
Summers were spent at the family cottage at Brereton Lake in the Whiteshell where Bill managed to repair, reuse and recycle long before it became fashionable. The cottage was his pride and joy and he spent many happy hours renovating the property. He learned woodworking from his father-in-law and built porches and gazebos at the lake and remodelled the attic at his home on Guildford with son Tony.
He was a voracious reader, a lover of culture, travel and a gifted artist like his Dad, Emil, both true renaissance men. Lush scenery anywhere he could find it and the view of the lake at Brereton inspired Bill’s work and his landscapes were really beautiful. From his Mom, Mary, he inherited his dry humour, love of people, sense of fun and passion for card games. Bill really enjoyed his monthly poker games with the guys.
He loved to organize events and bring people together. When Enid passed away he inspired a family tradition on the Italian side of the family (Scalena) and created the Pasta Classic, an annual golf tournament and family dinner and dedicated it to Enid’s memory. Sometimes there were four generations in attendance, and we were thrilled to have the only surviving member of the oldest generation present, Auntie Lorraine, who is still going strong in her 90s.
As he had done previously with son Tony, and grandson Rick, in his later years he devoted much of his time to his great-grandsons, Kayden and Dominick. He delighted in their accomplishments and cheering them on at their hockey and lacrosse games.
Despite the sadness he bore in losing loved ones over the years and the many health challenges he endured, he was a lion of a man (sometimes he roared) and fiercely proud. He will be remembered by the many people who loved him as a loyal friend, a highly individual and gifted guy and a brave shoulder to lean on in a storm.
When in long term care he enjoyed visits from family and many hours spent with his friend Linda (Mooley) when they would “dine” on home-made egg salad sandwiches (his favourite) and play canasta as they reminisced. He enjoyed seeing Rick and Louise Wilding who came often, bringing goodies and cheer. And Melanie, his beloved daughter-in-law and our angel on earth, eased his mind and assisted with his physical challenges with her constant devotion and care.
We would like to thank the wonderful staff at Oakview Place for the loving care they gave to Bill in his last five months.
In keeping with Bill’s wishes there will not be a funeral. A private Celebration of Life will take place in the future and family and friends will receive an invitation when the date and details are finalized.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Bill’s favourite charity, Cancer Care Canada will be appreciated.
Soar with the Eagles, Bill. You are free now.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 15, 2025
Condolences & Memories (18 entries)
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I was one of Mr. Backman's students at Sturgeon, and he was definitely among my favourite teachers! As a university instructor today, I often have occasion to think back to his kind manner of giving students critiques on their work, always followed by, "But don't worry, you're still a good person!" Somewhere in the Backman family is a painted coat of arms that Mr. Backman commissioned from me as a gift for a relative. I still treasure the lovely set of art supplies that he gifted me in return. A gem of a human being, and his loss is greatly felt. - Posted by: Kristen Hardy (Past student) on: Jun 06, 2025
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Bob and I met Bill and Enid in Germany. Over the years we visited them and later Bill would visit us in Ottawa. When Enid passed Bob flew out for her funeral. Over the years Bill and I would keep in touch, even after Bob passed on 2021. I will miss him. - Posted by: Barbara Erlandson (Friemd) on: May 07, 2025
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You will be missed my twin. Condolences especially to Tony and Mel and his beloved sister Judy. Love Pauline - Posted by: Pauline Fia (Friend) on: Mar 29, 2025
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I loved Mr. Bachman, he was a really special teacher and person I remember writing in a journal and I was about 17 years old and my mom hit me over the head for not listening to her He said you better listen. - Posted by: Joyce Lancaster (student) on: Mar 14, 2025
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Mr. Backman was one of those rare teachers that will stay in our memories long after we left Sturgeon! I remember having the drama party at my house after our Pie "n" a Pint show back in the 80's. I took Drama all 3 years I attended Sturgeon and learned so much from Mr. Backman! I remember debating with Mr. Backman and Mrs. Hallonquist about smoking inside the bathroom when they were right across the hall in their teachers prep room smoking....oh those were the days! Rest in peace Mr. Backman you were a wonderful kind person and will live on in your students memories! My deepest condolences to his cherished family. - Posted by: Kristin Whittaker (nee:Blatz) (My absolute favorite Drama Teacher) on: Mar 07, 2025
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Billy and I were kids all those years ago….he was on Inkster and I was on Carruthers….his dad Emil and mine, Bob, worked together for Trans Canada Airlines——-a time of porcelain tea cups on the DC3’s. His mother Mary was one of my mom’s best friends….one of those lifelong connections based on respect and affection. As a child I couldn’t quite grasp Emil……ours was a working class neighbourhood, so anyone who practised fencing and worked on paintings was somewhere outside the realm of comprehension. Across from the Bachman house was the Moore family——Johnny an Don were our friends, but significantly, their place was open to many kids and a gathering spot. So we, with Greg Kurdydyk, Barry Filbert and others, were a close knit group of kids. Even then, without being capable of expressing it, I was aware that Bill carried a special spirit.. You just know that some carry a gift that uplifts those around them….he does not seem to have altered his natural course. I only have one regret and that is that I did not do more to keep in touch. Do not, yourself, suffer the same regret. Men like Bill came to make our lives fuller….even as kids his laughter was disarming. - Posted by: Bob Kingsmill (Childhood friend) on: Mar 06, 2025
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Bill called me Kerri Berri. He brought me into the Mediterranean when all the other kids were swimming but me. I donned my water wings and he helped me in. Bill loved my mom. And my dad. We traveled the French Riviera and Italy as a convoy of families in our Volkswagen vans. We camped and he played songs. Eggs in the Poke. He was a force and we all loved him. Bill played with mom and Roy in a small trio like Peter Paul and Mary. They sang the Everly brothers and Bob Dylan. Their harmonies were sweeter than wine. They were my first folk hero’s. Bill and Enid and my parents had a lot of fun together and really showed us kids what was up. What was fun. When Enid died we were devastated. When mom died Bill came and gave us solace. Bill (and mom and others) inspired me to sing and play guitar. He’s still one of my folk hero’s. Today, I teach, I sing and play guitar, and I think about the humanity. Thank you Billy! Catch you on the flip side. Thank you for being a part of our family. To Tony, Mel, Ricky and the boys - my heart is with you in your loss. Leigh - somewhere out there. We love you! We love you all! Kerri Berri (and the Lanaway’s) - Posted by: Kerri Lanaway (Family friend) on: Mar 01, 2025
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My sympathy to Tony and Melanie, sister Judy and the rest of the family. Our families have know one another for almost six decades and we are all saddened by Bill's passing, knowing what a large presence of the best kind he has been in so many lives. Many fine memories for so many people! Sent with love from Monique, Celeste and Iris McKay. - Posted by: Iris McKay (long-time friend) on: Feb 21, 2025
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I re-met Bill through my ex-husband who worked at Sturgeon Creek. Bill was also my dad's second cousin but I had not seen him in several years. He was such a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and the very best laugh. He had a way of making you feel special each time he saw you. He was a true kindred spirit. He will be missed by so many and remembered so fondly. Rest peacefully❤ - Posted by: Carolyn Schlippert (Distant cousin and friend) on: Feb 20, 2025
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We are very saddened by “ Billy’s” passing! The Bachman family became wonderful family friends as neighbours on Inkster Blvd. in the North End! Our family friendship continued many years and the Bachman’s were an integral part of our family history! Aunty Mary, Uncle Emil , Billy and Judy will always hold special memories in our hearts! ❤️ - Posted by: Penny and Paige Van Der Veken (Family friends) on: Feb 19, 2025
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I'm Nelson Robertson and it's been 50 years since I taught at Sturgeon Creek with Bill. I still carry warm memories of ours and our family's times together. One year close to Christmas, while Enid was still alive, our families shared hayrides at Birds Hill Park and also visited the Backman's at Brereton Lake. The English department including Lorne Dione Gerry Desrault,(spelling!), Bill, and one other teacher that I cannot recall, planned a fishing trip to Shoal Lake. T was the only one outside their department to be invited, We all agreed That trip, for so many reasons, ended up being the best fishing trip for each of us. We even formed the 'Hey Loon' fishing society, complete with crests. How we came up with that name is a priceless story in itself. One of the best things that Bill and others in the English department did was putting on the humorous comedy 'Enter Laughing", What was brilliant was that is was a staff/ student production. The effect of that was that the students saw us for the fun-loving people that we were, rather than just adults at the front of the classrooms. It changed the atmosphere of the school significantly in a positive way. Because I was only at Sturgeon Creek for two years before heading off to Chiropractic college, I had no idea that Bill and other staff members formed a band. Music obviously runs in that family, evidenced by his cousin Randy Backman's talent as well. I am retired in Victoria and have often wondered how Bill and the others I mentioned are doing, and then yesterday, my brother sent Bill's obituary to me. Such is Bill's impact on my life, that here, fifty years later, I am so deeply saddened. With Bill]s passing a bright light has been losst to this darkening world. God bless. - Posted by: Nelson Robertson (Past Biology teacher at Sturgeon Creek) on: Feb 17, 2025
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I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I knew him from our apartment building in Osborne Village. Bill was a talented guitar player and artist. He was a kind, generous person. He cheered up my sister every time her saw her during her illness by calling her "Lois Lane." Bill and I would have lunch at the Salisbury House on Stafford and I always enjoyed our visits. Bill was one of the good guys and will truly be missed. - Posted by: Bonnie Nay (Friend) on: Feb 16, 2025
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“My favourite teacher” rings true foe me. I grew up on Guildford Street and had rhe pleasure of being in his 8am English class. I wouldn’t have made it without him. His encouragement and kindness were exactly what I needed. . My condolences to the family. He was a big deal. - Posted by: Cathy Hamilton (Student) on: Feb 15, 2025
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Jim and I both taught with Bill at Sturgeon Creek. He was just so much fun! I remember one year when he asked us to be on the curling team along with Marilyn Bayrak. Marilyn and I had never curled before but we had so much fun with him. Halfway through the game, we would all put our gloves on the centre of the ring on the ice and talk the other team into going for a drink. He would always make up funny things about curling when we were thinking it wasn’t such great fun. He would say well it’s more fun than getting your teeth pulled etc. I remember when he wrote a skit at Sturgeon and somehow brought George Kahn up through the floor in a white suit to the music of 2001 a space odyssey. Another time he wrote a skit about all the different types of students in the classroom. It was just hilarious. I wish we could’ve seen him one more time. Jim and Carol Tomes - Posted by: Jim and Carol Tomes (Colleagues and friends.) on: Feb 15, 2025
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I was one of Bill’s musical theatre students. He was a favourite teacher and a wonderful person. Theatre was Bill’s magic wand. With it, he helped kids become brave, thoughtful, disciplined, and kind. He drew incredibly diverse groups of students to his classroom and to the stage, and gave us all a place to belong and to flourish. The last time I saw him was at a conference for English teachers. I’m sure that some of my high school teachers felt I was headed for disaster, but not Bill. We were both signing in late to the conference and Bill greeted me as if he’d known all along where I’d end up. You may wonder that I call him ‘Bill’. We, his students, referred to him amongst ourselves that way. It wasn’t out of disrespect, it came from our deep affection for a teacher who helped us become our best selves. My sincere condolences to his family. - Posted by: Rhonda May (Student) on: Feb 15, 2025
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My sincerest condolences. I have many many happy memories of spending time at your house with my family. Enid and Bill were more than just friends of my parents; it always felt like family. - Posted by: Erin Christle (Family friend) on: Feb 15, 2025
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Tony & Mel, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a wonderful man. Love Brenda - Posted by: Brenda Kayer (cousin of Enid) on: Feb 15, 2025
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Mr. Backman was my favorite teacher. He gave a young high school girl her confidence. His drama class was not just acting it was life lessons in being a decent human being. His laughter, kindness, honesty were second to none. Many years later he and I worked on the 25 year Sturgeon Creek reunion. It was wonderful to reconnect. My Deepest Condolences to his family. May he rest well, and I know his Wings are waiting. Carol ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ - Posted by: Carol Pociuk nee Delaquis (Drama student from the Creek) on: Feb 15, 2025
