William Robert Gadd

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gloria; parents, Nelson and Helena Gadd; and brother-in-law, Albert Felix. Bill is survived by his daughter, Catherine (Todd) Bruyere; son, Bill (Tanya); grandchildren, Jordan, Katelyn, Joelle, Olivia, and Emily; brother, Don (Gloria) Gadd; and sister, Dorothy (Bryan) Pinkerton.

He also will be deeply missed by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Nadia Felix, Frances and Irving Bird; and nephews and nieces, Randy(Cathy), Cheryl(Bart), Stephen(Shae), Tamara(Dereck), Jocelyn, Brian(Brenda), Brenda, Christy(Don), Joel, and their children.

Bill was born in Fort Frances on October 8, 1936 and attended Robert Moore School, and then Fort Frances High School. There he met Gloria Felix who proposed they attend Sadie Hawkins together, and from then they were dance partners for life.

They married on September 13,1958 and decided to remain in Fort Frances. In addition to being a loving husband and father, Bill pursued a career with Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, which led t him to becoming project supervisor for the construction of roads and highways throughout Northwestern Ontario. Much of this time was spent working out of Kenora during the week, and he sincerely appreciated the wonderful friends he made during his time with the MTO--and we enjoyed the stories he would relate when he returned home on weekends.

He was a member of St. John’s Anglican Church Vestry, serving as chair of the property committee, and Bill was also a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge, serving as secretary, and later becoming an active member of the Khartoum Shriners--during which time his grandchildren enjoyed seeing him volunteer in July 1 parades and, of course, the Borderland Shrine Circus.

He enjoyed time with friends, whether playing Rummoli or meeting at the Border Bar for “lunch bunch,” and he was grateful when Gloria joined him in retirement and they were able to travel throughout western Canada and the southwestern United States together. Indeed, above all, Bill enjoyed the company of his beloved wife, as well as his loving children, adoring grandchildren, and devoted pets, Patches and Suzy.

Bill’s celebration of life took place at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances Ontario, on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Musonda Abel Ng’andwe officiating. Internment will take place in Riverview Cemetery at a later date. Active pallbearers were Jordan Bruyere, Brian Gadd, Randy Bird, Stephen Felix, Bart Brellenthin, and Dereck McLean. Honorary pallbearers were Brent Sand, Paul Ryan, Nadia Felix, Todd Bruyere, and Tanya Gadd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John’s Anglican Church In Memoriam Fund.