A command post has been set up for a missing senior with dementia who was last seen yesterday after leaving his North York home for an afternoon walk.
On Wednesday, police held a news conference about the disappearance of Norman, who goes by Bill.
The 76-year-old was last seen on April 9 at 12 p.m., before he went on a walk in the Torbarrie Road and Sheppard Avenue West area, police said.
Bill is described as standing at five-foot, with gray curly hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a dark coloured baseball hat, red and blue shirt, blue jeans, a black jacket and black and white shoes.
Police said they are “very concerned” for his safety as he has dementia and Alzheimer’s, which he is on medication for.
A command post has been set up at Wilson Avenue and Beverly Hills Drive to assist in the search for Bill.
“He is known to go for walks around Sheridan mall with his wife and likes to go for walks in the outdoors,” Duty Insp. Scott Shutt said to reporters.
Bill’s two daughters were at the news conference and said their father left his home alone the day prior to go on a walk but returned 15 minutes later. They said they thought he would do the same yesterday.
“We assumed it was going to be a short walk, which turned into I guess a longer walk,” his daughter Kassandra Gray said at the press conference.
She added that her dad frequents the Sheridan Mall area, along with No Frills and Food Basics in that neighbourhood.
“My father loves nature so there’s a possibility he might have stopped at someone’s residence to admire their landscaping. He’s a huge gardener,” his other daughter Kimberley Gray added.
His daughters said Bill is a reserved and friendly person who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.
They say they want to bring their father home safely in time to celebrate his 53rd wedding anniversary.
“It’s been very traumatizing. We’ve been searching since yesterday so we’ve been on the ground for hours and it’s been very exhausting but the goal is to find my father and that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Kimberley said.
Police are asking the public to check their backyards, sheds and other areas on their property where people could hide.
Kassandra added that if anyone sees him, tell him “You’re Kassandra’s dad,” and she’s certain he’ll respond to that.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police at 416-808-3100, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
