OBITUARY
Walter A. Hadden
29 March, 1923 – 10 October, 2012
Surrounded by family, Walter passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2012 in his 89th year. Born in Toronto in 1923, parents William and Sadie Hadden (both deceased), brother of late Eugene, Lorna, and Albert. Survived by his loving wife, Evelyn (Williams, Galbraith), and three children, James, Susan (James), and Carolyn (Colin) all of Windsor. Step-father to the late David Williams (Carol), Robert (Sherry), Jeffrey (Rhonda), Stuart, Alice (Bryan) and daughter-in-law Jennifer. Grampa to seven wonderful grand children, Corey (Alicia), Kurtis, Kristin (Jeff), Sarah (Ryan), Emily, Joshua and Kira. Adopted “Dad” of Shari Cunningham and Dave Langstone. Following overseas service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II, Walter entered the automotive parts industry as a sales trainee with Champion Spark Plug Company of Canada in 1947. He moved from Toronto to Winnipeg in 1954, then to Windsor where in 1973 he was appointed president and CEO of the company, retiring in 1985. During his successful business career, he gave back to the industry by serving in various leadership roles with the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, becoming its elected president. He involved himself in several community organizations including the Windsor Family YMCA, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and the Willistead Manor Board. He was a 55-year member of the Rotary Club of Windsor, and an active member of Temple Baptist / Banwell Community Church serving in various capacities over many years. Walter co-founded DIRECTION 2000, a group of local retired CEO’s committed to improvement of community quality-of-life. He originated the idea of a civic beautification program sponsored and promoted by the Windsor Star. Following cremation, remains will be moved to the Algonquin Park region where in “God’s Country” Walter enjoyed so many happy times with family and friends. A special thankyou to Walter’s awesome caregivers Francine, Abe, Lacey and Steve. Flowers gratefully declined but memorials may be given to Banwell Community Church Memorial Fund, Salvation Army – Windsor Division or the Rotary Club (1918) of Windsor.
Services
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Visitation
Friday, 12 October , 2012
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Visitation
Friday, 12 October , 2012
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Visitation
Saturday, 13 October , 2012
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Funeral Service
Saturday, 13 October , 2012
Memories
Walter A. Hadden
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYWilliam C. Smith
22 October 2012
Jim and the Hadden Family:
We are so sorry to hear the news about Dad as we were out of town and unable to attend his service. Please accept our deepest condolences and know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Dad was a great community leader and friend to many and he will be missed.
Bill, Linda Smith & Family
And all Your Friends at Electrozad.
Mike Moumouris
19 October 2012
Evelyn
My deepest sympathy to you and all your family.
I worked with the Champion boys in Toronto, they always spoke highly of Walter.
Karla Hodgins
16 October 2012
I was out of town for a few days and just heard of your father's passing. My sincere condolences on your loss.
Jenn, Roy, Jasmine, Alanna and Michelle
15 October 2012
We were so sorry that we could not be there with your all. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow and loss.
Marg & Jerry Kennedy
13 October 2012
Dear Evelyn: OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU AND FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF WALTER. WE HAVE MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF OUR TIMES TOGETHER. GOD BLESS.
Jackie & Tom Ion
13 October 2012
Sue, Carolyn, Jim, Evelyn and Family:
Our sincerest condolences for the loss of your Father and Husband. May you find comfort in your fondest memories of him, and know that his Legacy will live in your hearts forever!
Greg Stone
12 October 2012
Dear Evelyn,
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of Walter. He was a fine gentleman. He was also a very successful self-made business person, who was one of the pinnacles of the Automotive Aftermarket in Canada.
He was always fun to be with and we had many good times together.
Our thoughts and prayers are with and your family at this time.
Sincerely,
Greg and Shirley Stone
London, Ontario
12 October 2012
Dear Evelyn and Family
We were so sorry to read of Walter's death in the Globe yesterday. Our family has so many happy memories of you at Bondi, where all the children wished Uncle Walter were their uncle. Walter was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. Our thoughts are with you.
Sincerely
Stewart and Linda Pugsley
Burlington ON
12 October 2012
Jim, Carolyn, Susan and Mrs "Hadden"....I just heard of your loss from my brother..please accept my deepest sympathies. I will always remember the good times I shared at your home..especially the touch football games in the back yard. My heart and thoughts are with you all.
12 October 2012
Dear Sue and Carolyn,
So sorry for the loss of your father. He was such a kind and gentle man. I will definitely miss his smiling face.
Dalia
12 October 2012
Carolyn and family, sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Janet and family
11 October 2012
Carolyn and Sue
I am sorry for the loss of your father
Love and prayers for both you and your family
Lori Leclerc
Jim & Dianne Moore
11 October 2012
Dear Evelyn & Family, Please accept our sincere condolences at your loss of a loving husband and father. We knew Walter primarily through our fellow membership in the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), one of many community organizations in which he was an active and dedicated member. We valued his friendship and appreciated his support for so many important causes - the preservation of Windsor's waterfront and Willistead to cite just a couple. I also valued his support of the Windsor-Essex County Development Commission and the "Dutch Uncle" advice he gave me during his years at Champion Spark Plug.
Bob and Sandy Horvath
11 October 2012
To all the Hadden's and Williams family: It is never easy losing a loved one, but hopefully you find the comfort in those around you. There are many memories we will all keep close to our hearts. With sympathy and sending hugs, Love Bob and Sandy Horvath
Walter Hadden
11 October 2012
Dear Evelyn & family, We certainly have wonderful memories of our time in Windsor and your gracious hospitality. Our deepest sytmpathy, in friendship. Yvon & Ann Pellerin
Linda McLean Pratt
11 October 2012
Jim,
I am so sorry to read of the passing of your Dad. May the many wonderful memories carry you through this difficult time.
Always in my heart,my dear friend
Linda McLean Pratt(Vendrasco)
11 October 2012
Mr. Hadden would not remember me - but I remember him.
...from my days as a "rookie" on the Champion audit....to subsequent sessions with our mutual friend, Jim Clark.
Mr. Hadden was a great community leader and thinker. I always enjoyed his Letters to the Editor.
Sadly for us, both he and Jim have passed, albeit to a better place.
Mr. Hadden defined what Tom Brokaw coined as "the best generation".
Gary Kelly
CFO
The NARMCO Group
11 October 2012
Jim and family, please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your dad. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Sincerely Jim Allen
Ruth Cox
11 October 2012
How blessed I was to have such a wonderful, caring uncle. I always knew Uncle Walter was genuinely interested in how and what we were doing. I will miss our visits here in Muskoka and hearing his cheery voice on the telephone.
Love and prayers, Ruth & Geoff
Cathie Wells
11 October 2012
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.......My heart goes out to you and know that you are are in my thoughts and prayers...You are never alone. Cathie Wells
Fred Kushnir
11 October 2012
Dear Sue, Jim and Hadden Family,
My heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to you all at this time of your great loss.
Do not mourn over the absence of the flame, but celebrate how bright it glowed ... precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalms 116:15)
Your father was the consumate gentleman, a great dedicated and loving man, having raised and mentored such a truly wonderful family.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8)
He has gone to join His Heavenly Father at the great banquet table in Heaven, numbering him among all the Saints that have gone before him.
May the Good Lord wrap His arms around you all in this time of grieving... comforting and strengthening you in the days ahead.
Lori Mason
11 October 2012
We are deeply sorry for your loss of your Dad. With sympathy, Lori, Jaden and your Diamonds
11 October 2012
Thinking of family - please feel comfort with one another. Tamie and Todd Bickerstaff (Alicia's mom and dad
Jim Bales
11 October 2012
We have fond memories of the years we spent with Walter, Evelyn and the Champion family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jim and Sharon Bales
11 October 2012
May I extend my sincerest sympathy to the Hadden family. I will sincerely miss his visits to the branch. Rose Gallippi CIBC Devonshire
11 October 2012
sue and family sorry about your loss keep memories in your heart as you celebrate a life well lived ruth tasker
11 October 2012
To Evelyn and all the family,
May happy memories of Walter warm your hearts, and caring friends and family surround you with comfort... Sincerely Maureen & Brian Lane
Lucien Lacoste
11 October 2012
Dear Evelyn
My deepest sympathy to you and your loved ones.
I am the one who drove you through the city of Montreal along with Mrs Stranahan and Mrs Morais many, many years ago. I have good memories of Walter and still have with me one of his famous birthday cards he used to send.
Sue Hadden-Ion
10 October 2012
My 'champion', my beacon, and my inspiration. Love you Dad! Love Susan xxoo