'Call me Bill': Longtime Nova Scotia MLA Bill Estabrooks dies at age 76

Bill Estabrooks, a former Nova Scotia MLA and cabinet minister, is being remembered as a political titan who was unabashedly himself, cared deeply about his community and always put Nova Scotians first.

His daughter, Trisha Estabrooks, told CBC News her father died Tuesday evening in Edmonton, where he spent his final years. He was 76.

Bill Estabrooks was a member of the Nova Scotia NDP, representing the riding of Timberlea-Prospect for 15 years.

A former teacher and school administrator, Estabrooks served as a minister for numerous departments including energy and transportation under the only NDP government in Nova Scotia's history.

He was also known as an avid Boston Bruins fan, often donning the team's attire on the floor of the legislature.

Estabrooks, who was born in Sackville, N.B., developed Parkinson's disease and retired from provincial politics in 2013.

But he didn't go easily, telling CBC News at the time that he loved his job.

"I have 500 clean, polished election signs in my basement, and if my health was ready, I would go again in a minute, but I just can't go," he said through tears in May 2012, when he announced he would not reoffer.

"It's tough you know. I'll miss it."

On Thursday, condolences were pouring in from former colleagues, politicians and community members.

Liberal MLA and former premier Iain Rankin described Estabrooks as a political titan and mentor.

Rankin now represents the riding of Timberlea-Prospect and sought guidance from Estabrooks when he first decided to run for office.

"It was good advice he gave me. He said, 'Remember, the people actually vote for you — your name on the ballot — and never lose sight that it's the people's seat. It's not an NDP seat, it's not a Liberal seat. This is the people's seat,'" said Rankin.

"He was a constituency-first MLA and I think that is important."

Rankin said Estabrooks had the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, insisting that people refer to him as "Bill" and often wearing a T-shirt during his time at the legislature that read "Call Me Bill."

"I think a lot of politicians should really look at Bill's career and how he did put people first, always, and no matter what the issue was," said Rankin. 

"Our real job is to help people, especially those that need it the most, and Bill really understood that."

Trisha Estabrooks said her family has been overwhelmed by the messages of love and support, including from former students he taught more than three decades ago.

"I knew he was a special guy growing up and obviously as I became an adult, I could feel that and see that," said Trisha Estabrooks in a phone interview from Edmonton.

"He believed in people and that's what made him an amazing teacher and mentor and coach. He overwhelmingly always saw the good in people."

She said her father moved to Edmonton from Nova Scotia five years ago to live in a care home and be closer to family, including his two grandchildren, 16-year-old Ella and 12-year-old Will.

One of the first things he put up in his room: a laminated copy of the front page of the Boston Globe showing himself with his false teeth in a mug of beer, a longtime Stanley Cup playoff tradition of his.

"As much as I tried to get him to be an [Edmonton] Oilers fan, no way in hell was that going to happen," she quipped. 

Trisha Estabrooks recalled when her father first won a seat in the legislature after two failed attempts. Sporting a Bruins jersey, he walked confidently into a hotel crowded with hundreds of NDP supporters.

"I remember my mom saying, 'You can't wear that. You just won an election, Bill. You can't wear that jersey.' And he just marched in there so proud," she said.

"He was unabashedly himself. What you see is what you got."

Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender said she was saddened to hear the news.

"Bill cared deeply about Nova Scotians, and loved and was loved by the people of Timberlea-Prospect," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Premier Tim Houston also offered his condolences on Thursday, saying Estabrooks "approached everything he did with compassion, kindness and humour."

Estabrooks had a steadfast tradition of door-knocking in his constituency, which he did every Friday when the House was not sitting.

He was awarded the Governor General's Medal of Bravery in 1983 for saving someone from a burning vehicle that had just crashed on a highway, only for it to explode moments after the rescue.

In 2015, a community centre on St. Margarets Bay Road in Halifax was renamed Estabrooks Community Hall in his honour.

"He treated everyone equal and never frowned down on anyone," a Facebook post from members of the hall's board said. "Your Boston Bruin colours live on here Bill — you will be truly missed."

In her Facebook post announcing his death, Trisha Estabrooks said her father's final moments were spent surrounded with love.

"After he passed a beautiful wind blew in, and I believe, carried him East," she wrote. "He'll be touching down just in time to see a beautiful P.E.I. sunset, hopefully with an Olands in hand tonight."