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ADOLPH, William John Guest

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ADOLPH, WILLIAM Obit
Died on Friday, February 1, 2019 at the age of 81, following a long decline and a short illness, with his family at his side. Loving husband and friend of 55 years of Katherine; father of Carolyn (Andrew), Stephen (Meliha) and Meredith (Andy); brother of Douglas and Linda (Thomson); son of the late Aleta and Jacob (Jack) Adolph; grandfather of Caley Adolph-Nadon, Hadley and Emma McIntosh, Ryan and Thomas Adolph, Penny and Calvin Ward and great-grandfather to Georgia Wear. Bill was raised in Sudbury and as a young man worked in the family business, a concrete block plant. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, the first of his family to earn a university degree. It was during his studies that he met Katherine Dooling, who became his partner in many adventures in and around Sault Ste. Marie. While Bill began his career as an industrial engineer at the Algoma Steel Company, he found his true calling as an educator. He taught for many years at Sault College and made a difference in the lives of many students.  All his life, Bill nurtured a devotion to community service, a love of the outdoors and a knack for making his own fun. In his youth he earned the Queen’s Scout award, and as a first aid teacher he received the Order of St. John. In his prime he learned to sail, and together with his friends he co-founded the Algoma Sailing Club, helped build several yachts and organized countless learn-to-sail programs.  In his later years, Bill came to love the winter pastimes of snowmobiling and ice fishing, and summer trips to the family cabin on Cockburn Island.   Born with a heart defect that caused a lifetime of struggles, Bill was both shadowed and propelled by his health problems. His long life is a testament not only to Ontario’s health care system, but also to his tenacious spirit. Bill will be missed for his thirst for adventure, his love of building and fixing, his keen curiosity about the world, his storytelling and his deep love for his family.  Bill’s family is grateful to the staff at Extendicare Maple View for their care at the end of his life.  A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at a later date in Sault Ste. Marie.  In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family would appreciate donations (payable by cheque) in his memory to the Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. 705-759-2522).


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