Bill Mooney: Big Heart, Big Ideas And Big Laughs – A True Ambassador

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As quick with a joke as he was to lend a helping hand to a friend in need or to answer the call when a deal needed to be brokered, WilliamBillMooney was many things to many people.

A Canadian Petroleum Hall of Famer who carved out an impressive, iconic career in the oilpatch, Mooney was a devoted family man and a philanthropist who dedicated both time and money to various causes too numerous to mention.

Mooney passed away on Aug. 11, at 11:11 p.m., according to family members. He had fought an 11-year battle with prostate cancer, and its inherent relentlessness as it metastasized into his bones. As always, he fought the good fight to the end.

He was married to wife Lois for over 60 years and was the father of five grown children and grandfather of 13.

Though he was an esteemed and respected industry leader who was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2010, Mooney always took time to get to know, on a personal level, the barber who cut his hair, the restaurant staff who served him over the years or myriad workers he would encounter in the various downtown office towers he would frequent. Many of those relationships turned into lasting friendships.

And Mooney’s son, Bill Mooney Jr., says that aspect of his father’s life defines his legacy as much as any business success, award or personal accomplishment, of which there were many.

“After I graduated in 1979 I took a wellsite geology course from the late Rod Morris and he asked if Bill Mooney was my dad. And Rod said, ‘Your dad is the only company president I can see at lunch buying lunch for a couple of bit hands or a couple of mud hands,’” Mooney Jr. said.

“And that was the huge deal with dad. He knew every commissioner that sat in front of the buildings downtown, he knew the people that cleaned the buildings, he knew every waiter, every busboy, every cook. That was just who he was.”

As an example, Mooney Jr. recalls one longstanding friendship his father developed and nurtured with Pat Dardano, an Italian immigrant to Calgary who operated a shoeshine business called Pat’s Place in what was then known as Esso Plaza (now Fifth Avenue Place). For some 30 years, Mooney Sr. would regularly stop by for a shoeshine and he and Dardano soon formed a bond that stood the test of time.

About six years ago, Dardano got news that he had kidney disease and would soon need dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. Without hesitation, Mooney Sr. was there for his friend.

“Pat was in need and a very generous guy came forward and my dad and others put together a fundraising event at the Calgary Petroleum Club that raised about $60,000 for Pat,” Mooney Jr. said.

“That’s the sort of stuff dad would do. Over the years we’ve had countless people tell us how dad had helped them out. There are just countless stories about that. And that was the very true essence of dad.”

For his part, Dardano is forever grateful for Bill Sr.’s efforts and caring during his time of need.

“He was just an amazing, special and unique human being. Every time you would see him, first he would say ‘hello’ and ask you how you are and then tell you a joke. He made everybody smile. He helped me learn English because I came from Italy and didn’t know much of the language. He was like a mentor to me,” Dardano said.

“He always had a joke, even when he wasn’t feeling well the past few months. Despite what he was going through, he never complained. He’s going to be missed by so many people.”

After Dardano was diagnosed with kidney disease his doctor suggested he visit his family in Italy as he would soon need dialysis and travel would be difficult. And that’s when he found out about the plans for the fundraiser.

“Some guys approached me, and Bill was one of them, and said when you get back from Italy we’re going to have a little fundraiser for you. So they did and Bill was the MC and they did a beautiful job. There were about 400 people there and they were from all walks of life—from CEOs to cleaners,” Dardano said.

“And then when I was going through dialysis and had my kidney transplant two years later, Bill was all over it. He’d call my wife all the time, he’d call my family. He was like a family member to me.”

Colin Eicher, former owner of JuneWarren Publishing Ltd., first met Bill almost 20 years ago when working on the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame.

“Around 1998 he became the master of ceremonies for the dinner and like everyone who met Bill I just couldn’t help but want to be his friend,” Eicher said.

“He knew more people and was a master collaborator introducing his thousands of associates to each other for their mutual benefit. In 1999 when I purchased Oilweek Bill literally introduced me to scores of CEOs, letting them know that Oilweek had been brought back home to the west and that someone who loves the oilpatch is the new owner. Bill opened many doors for Oilweek and JuneWarren Publishing by taking us under his wing,” he added.

“For that I am eternally thankful.  He and I would walk around downtown Calgary and we could not go one full block without someone saying, ‘Hi Bill.’ I always felt honoured to have the privilege of walking beside Bill and being his friend.”

Eicher added that Mooney Sr. was “a giver — never a taker.” And that personality trait benefitted many throughout the years.

“He was very perceptive and when he knew of or saw an opportunity that would benefit any of his causes.  He was never afraid to broker a deal or relationship,” Eicher said.

“I’m sure that Bill has raised millions of dollars for causes that were for the betterment of others and for that there are hundreds if not thousands of people who are beneficiaries of his untiring efforts.”

The ambassador

Don Mazankowski, who served as a cabinet minister under prime ministers Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney, has many cherished memories of his more than 30-year friendship with Mooney Sr.

“The thing that really sort of touched me and I appreciated a lot is after I sent a letter of support for him in receipt of an Alberta Order of Excellence. I got a note back from him and it said something very simple and meaningful and touching: ‘Maz, you’re a real buddy. Thank you for your kind words.’ That’s Bill. That’s Bill,” Manzakowski said.

“He was dynamite. And moreover he had a sense of humour and the ability to josh and talk about the lighter side of things. It was basically a very important tool for him and his ability to serve as an honest broker, as he has done so many times,” he added.

“He was a wonderful family man, a community man, a visionary and he advanced many ideas and facilitated policies. He got involved. He rolled up his sleeves, he didn’t shy away and he wasn’t afraid to mix it up with folks who may take a different view. His sense of humour, his wit and his ability to communicate were really important tools to him in doing the ambassadorial goodwill work he did.”

Saskatchewan born, Mooney was educated at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, Saskatchewan, and later received a football scholarship to attend Colorado College, in Colorado Springs.

“Both my mom and dad attended Notre Dame and both were big time for Notre Dame. The school’s motto was ‘Luctor et Emergo,’ which is ‘Struggle and Courage.’ The motto was perfect for my dad,” Mooney Jr. said.

He began his oil career with Core Laboratories Inc. in 1952 and in 1957 joined Cities Service Oil Co. in Amarillo, Texas as a geologist. In the mid-1970s he became Cities Service's first Canadian president.

According to the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame, Mooney was respected as the "oilpatch ambassador" for playing central roles in assembling major projects and programs as an intermediary between industry and government interests. His role as an envoy at the highest level of corporate and political affairs included brokering the 1975 national deal that kept alive the Syncrude Canada Ltd. oilsands mega project.

In 1973, Cities-with a 30 per cent stake-was a keystone player in the planning and development of Syncrude Canada Ltd. As costs escalated, another 30 per cent owner dropped out. It fell to Mooney, the ambassador, to broker a deal with the governments of Canada, Alberta and Ontario to keep the project alive. And it turned out to be one of the highlights of his illustrious career.

“Dad was credited with being an essential component in getting that deal done. He actually has framed letters from Don Getty, who was provincial energy minister at the time, and federal energy minister Donald Macdonald. And they both just basically say, ‘Mooney, you were the guy that got this together,’” Mooney Jr. said.

“Then there was also a letter from the Gulf Oil CEO that says, ‘Mooney, you were a genius with the meetings. The way you broke tension occasionally by telling a great joke kept everybody relaxed at the table and really helped get it done.’”

Mooney Sr.’s efforts in salvaging the Syncrude deal earned him a special standing in the eyes of his industry brethren and government officials alike.

“Basically since the Syncrude deal dad got so much respect in Ottawa that whenever anything was being considered they would always talk to him, consult with him,” Mooney Jr. said.

“Like [former federal energy minister] Marcel Masse had dad go to Ottawa for a week before they were going to announce the new energy policy because they wanted to make sure that it was going to be something that was going to work.”

And that was also among the litany of his father’s achievements. Mooney Sr. was credited for his tireless work on the 1985 Western Accord on Energy which brought the National Energy Program to a close and helped realize the $4 billion Canadian Exploration and Development Incentive Program and a federal provincial agreement on increased crude prices.

"Bill Mooney was a corporate pioneer in many ways but one which stands out in my mind is his appreciation of the importance of the relationship between governments and the oil and gas sector,” says Pierre Alvarez, former president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

“He understood that industry, the federal government and the provinces, producing and consuming, were inextricably linked in so many ways. He worked tirelessly at ensuring that lines of communication were always open, even when the issues were tough and controversial,” he added.

The jokester and the East End Petroleum Club

Good, bad or otherwise, Mooney Sr. never told a joke he didn’t like. It was, in many ways, his calling card.

"Of course when one thinks of Bill it is also impossible to forget the endless stream of bad, and sometimes somewhat off colour, jokes he used when hosting fundraising events,” Alvarez said.

"But those jokes helped raise millions of dollars for a long list of charities that benefited from his commitment to community. He was always there to help, often several times a week and his enthusiasm never wavered.”

Eicher, too, appreciated Mooney Sr.’s legendary sense of humour.

“Most of us have all heard his jokes in one form or another many times but with his masterful presentation skills we just couldn’t help but laugh,” he said.

“His jokes were always respectful and the funniest thing was when he would start talking you always paid attention because often you really didn’t know if what he was going to say was a true story or a joke.  I was always prepared for either way because no matter what, it was always interesting, fact or joke.”

And then there was the “East End Petroleum Club,” a makeshift and moving gathering place for many in the oilpatch and those who worked in downtown Calgary. Far from the upper-end Calgary Petroleum Club, members of the East End version would meet each week over a few, or more, pints.

“Dad was basically one of the early founders of the East End Petroleum Club. That started at the old Alexander Hotel, migrated to the Queens and then the St. Louis. Dad used to hold court there every Friday,” Mooney Jr. said.

“It was a gathering over many, many beers that started every Friday around noon. The East End Petroleum Club grew and grew and grew. The St. Louis would be absolutely packed every Friday. It was a Friday afternoon standard that probably started in the mid-1970s. Dad loved that group and hundreds of people could relate to that group.”

While Mooney Sr. enjoyed making others laugh and kibitzing with colleagues and strangers alike, Mazankowski said his loss will be felt on many levels. Mostly, as a true friend.

“I will remember him with fond memories for the very special relationship I had with him. It was enjoyable, it was constructive, it was inspirational because he was a generous, creative exciting man,” he said.

“We will certainly continue to express our gratitude and appreciation for a job well done. All I would like to say to him is, ‘You’ve done great, Bill. Now rest in peace and we will continue to honour you.’”

To access a separate tribute from Bill Whitelaw, click or tap here.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Markin MacPhail Building at WinSports Canada Olympic Park, (88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 at 1 p.m.

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