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HOLLINGSWORTH, Ian W.

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HOLLINGSWORTH, Ian _ BIO

89 years of age, loving husband, father and grandfather peacefully passed away at the Sault Area Hospital on Thursday, November 15, 2018. Born September 24, 1929, in Sault Ste. Marie. Graduated from Collegiate High School where he enjoyed playing football and basketball. Following high school, he successfully earned his B.A.Sc. Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto where he recently in June, attended with his wife Helen and daughter Sandra, his 65th reunion with a few of his dear close classmates Clint Husband (Hamilton, Ontario), and Barry Blanchard (Mississauga, Ontario.)  

On February 2, 1964, at Grace Lutheran Church in Oakville, Ontario he married Helen Toivonen MacGillivray.

He was a kind gentleman with a big heart who cared deeply about his family, friends, and community.  His interest in the community and Northern Ontario led him to be an active board member for Ontario Northland, founder and board member of the Group Health Centre, actively involved with the Kiwanis Club, long time member of the Pipes and Drums of the 49th Sault Ste. Marie Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, was an Alderman on City Council Ward 2 in the early 1960s, director of  the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the 49th Regimental Senate, and passionately involved in both provincial and federal politics.

In 2006, he and his brothers received the Medal of Merit for their various works in the community, particularly their kind donation to Sault Area Hospital, which resulted in establishing the Hollingsworth Family Algoma District Cancer Centre, allowing families to receive cancer treatments within Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma.

Ian worked side-by-side with many of his family members at Soo Mill & Lumber Company Ltd. Most of his career as General Manager of Michigan Maple Ltd., ultimately retiring as President of all operations. As a businessman, Ian provided many opportunities for newcomers to Canada as his way of welcoming them to the community that he was so proud of. He was known to treat all of his workers with respect and led by example, working very hard to promote and drum up sales to ensure continued work for the employees. Through his leadership, the brand of Michigan Maple, was respected and cherished throughout Canada and internationally. Often his product can still be seen in butcher shops, universities, restaurants, residences and one even ended up at 24 Sussex Ave.

Keeping to his father’s beliefs, Ian was a philanthropist locally and abroad.  Quietly he would visit the Salvation Army for his “annual coffee,” to be updated on the wonderful positive impacts the army was making in the community. Aside, he worked hard to carry on his father’s legacy at promoting the United Way. Through his many trips to Africa and his belief in missionary work he generously donated to the RETRAK Orphanage through the Africa Inland Mission in Uganda Africa.

Loving husband of Helen Hollingsworth, dear father of Scott MacGillivray, Robert MacGillivray (Kelly), Bruce Hollingsworth, and Sandra Hollingsworth. Doting Grandfather of Arianne MacGillivray and Conor MacGillivray. He will be dearly missed by his sister Marie Frossard (late Al) of London, Ontario and sister-in-law Rita Mae Hollingsworth (late Edward Lynn), as well as his nieces and nephews. Son of the late Fremlin E. Lynn and Agnes L.  Hollingsworth. He was preceded in death by: his brothers Fremlin Simpson Hollingsworth (late Mhora) and Edward Lynn Hollingsworth.

Friends and family may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East 705-759-2522) on Monday, November 19, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral Service to be held from First Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 11:00 am. Rev. Jack DeVries and Pastor Gary L. Beatty officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sault Ste. Marie Salvation Army, Matthews Memorial Hospital Foundation, or the Sault Area Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

Though you’ve passed Dad, you’ll never be forgotten. We love you, we will miss you, we thank you for your life teachings. Dad we know you are with the Lord where you will continue to watch over us and guide us to be kind and giving. May you know how much we cherished spending a day with you at camp, Sea Oats on Gasparilla Island, hunting, piping at the many community day parades, boating, and travelling. How blessed we have been to have a father and grandfather like you and such wonderful providing husband. God bless you!



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