Ottawa Art Collector Bill Staubi’s Journey from Cancer to Renewal

Bill Staubi, a prominent art collector from Ottawa, recently experienced a remarkable transformation after his battle with Stage-4 liver cancer. Initially given about 18 months to live, Staubi took a proactive approach to his prognosis, beginning immunotherapy and making arrangements for his estate. As part of his preparation, he dedicated himself to finding new homes for his extensive art collection of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 pieces, aiming to relieve his family of this responsibility.

Over nearly half a century, Staubi had cultivated a diverse collection, and he wanted to ensure it was handled thoughtfully. In a deliberate effort, he returned some pieces to the original artists, while generously donating numerous works to the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Art Gallery, which is currently showcasing an exhibition titled Grotto featuring several pieces from his collection. Additionally, he contributed works to organizations like the SAW Gallery and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum for fundraising initiatives.

As Staubi continued to distribute his collection, his health unexpectedly improved. Initially anticipating his life to end by last spring, he discovered a reversal of his condition. The cancer had metastasized to his lungs but began to shrink, and weeks ago, he learned that his cancer had gone into remission. This development has left Staubi navigating newfound emotions, as he reflects on the idea of moving beyond his previous expectations.

“It’s a very odd feeling,” Staubi stated. “I’m going through the weird process of giving up the idea that I’m dying.” He is now off all cancer-related medications, with follow-up appointments scheduled every three months for the first year. If he remains in remission for two years, these check-ups will shift to annual visits.

Despite his renewed health, Staubi has not felt compelled to pursue grand adventures or fulfill an elaborate bucket list. “There was never some big thing that I had to do before I died,” he said. Instead, he is focused on returning to a sense of normalcy in his life, recognizing that his contributions to the arts have had a profound impact on those around him.

As word of his illness and decision to donate his collection spread, Staubi began receiving messages from individuals whose lives he had influenced. This included artists, curators, and community members who expressed their gratitude for his support. “It was a year of discovering how people saw me,” he remarked, acknowledging the impact of his efforts on emerging artists, particularly those from the queer community.

In recognition of his contributions, Staubi was named Ottawan-of-the-Day by the city’s mayor and received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada. Furthermore, the Ottawa Art Gallery established the Bill Staubi Acquisition Fund to continue his legacy of supporting emerging artists.

Staubi has also started to rebuild his collection, acquiring around 15 new pieces in recent months. He emphasizes that he does not wish to return to the scale of his previous collection. “I don’t want to have to do all that again,” he stated, reflecting on the logistical challenges he faced.

He sees his role in the arts as an intrinsic part of who he is. “It’s just who I am,” he explained, as he continues to navigate his life in a state of renewal. The journey has not only changed Staubi’s perspective on his own life but has also deepened his understanding of the connections he has fostered within the community.

As he embraces this new chapter, Staubi remains committed to supporting artists and engaging with the community that has shown him such profound appreciation. “It’s nice to still be here,” he concluded, embodying a spirit of resilience and connection that resonates throughout his story.