John William (Bill) Adams, age 79, died peacefully at Regina, SK on June 30, 2019 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and more recently cancer. After many years in Ontario, Bill recently returned to Regina where he spent his last few weeks filled with laughter during family dinners with his wife, children and grandchildren.
Born in Cardinal, Ont., Bill worked as a deckhand on a tugboat during the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway. He loved to tell stories of his time on the boat and of the challenging working conditions that existed, many of which he tried to change. Following a brief stint as a Navigator with the Canadian military, Bill worked as a Chemical Operator for Du Pont of Canada. His unending commitment to people and desire to improve the workplace led to many years as a Union Representative for the Energy and Chemical Workers Union and later as President of his local.
Bill then moved to Regina, where he held various senior human resources and labour relations roles for the Saskatchewan Public Service Commission, the Saskatchewan Liquor Board, Crown Investments Corporation and Westbridge.
His collaborative approach to union/management relations led him to B.C.’s Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat, his own HR/LR consulting company, Atomic Energy of Canada, the City of Toronto, and finally to Canada Post. Before retiring at age 69, Bill joined the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region.
Always community-minded, Bill coached hockey and played broomball. As a lifelong member of the Royal Canadian Legion, he spent hours with friends playing euchre, cribbage and pool.
He is survived by his beloved wife Katy (nee Delanghe) of Regina, son Bill (Susan) of Regina, daughter Shelley of Vancouver, daughter Sarah (Brendan) of Regina, and his much-loved grandchildren Alyssa, Tyler, Jenna, Connor and Krista.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Roger and Patricia Adams, sister Joan (Bill) Cook, and brothers Donald (Mary Lou Murray) and Daniel (Barb) all of Ontario.
Funeral Mass in his memory will take place on Monday, July 8, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in Resurrection Roman Catholic Church, 3155 Windsor Park Road, Regina, SK. followed by a Celebration of Life in the Church hall. Family and friends are welcome to join in this celebration.
In honour of Bill’s love of his hometown Cardinal, we ask everyone to wear a bit of “red”. Cardinals represent passion, endurance, and strength ~ they are persistent creatures who stick around all year, even during brutally cold winters. Bill embodied these qualities throughout his life. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the William Adams Humanitarian Award may be made to Sask. Polytechnic, Advancement Office, Regina Campus, PO Box 556, Regina, SK, S4P 3A3.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John William Bill Adams June 30th 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Regina, Province: Saskatchewan