It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, William Herbert Groves age 86 years. he passed away peacefully at his home in Thunder Bay with his family at his side.
His birthday wish (5 May 26) was to die at home. His final wish was granted on his 86th birthday he departed St Joes Care Group, and passed away peacefully one week later on 12 May 26.
Dad was born in Port Arthur Ontario, on 5 May 1940 to Albert and Ester Groves (Sabo). He grew up in the Valora Clarkton area. (Sturgeon Lake) north of Ignace Ontario.
William had many jobs throughout his lifetime, he worked for Great Lakes Timber in the bush camps as a cutter skidder operator.
Once Dad met and married his wife Mary (Dietiker) and started a family of his own, they both decided to move to Thunder Bay so that his children could attend school for a better education.
Throughout his years spent in Thunder Bay, Dad had several jobs namely City Transit bus driver, and he was a weekend highway bus driver for Grey Goose, and his CB Call Sign was known as the Bionic Goose! And Happy Time Tours. Dad had achieved a goal later in life as he received his Red Seal in Mechanics as he was very proud of this achievement while working for Northern Woods Preserves, and the Rad man. Dad even had a retirement job for the winter months, working at Canadian Tire, keeping busy and well prepared for his time at camp during the summers with Mom.
William (Dad, Bill, Billy) will surely be missed at camp by family and friends as he takes with him his many stories and tales of the history of Sturgeon Lake and area. We will always treasure these memories that he has shared and passed down through his generation of family.
Bill spent most of his weekends and holidays at the family camp that he built alongside his wife (Mary), for his Mother in Law (Edna Dietiker) starting in 1970.
Bill was a very humorous man and he loved sharing his jokes and antics with family and friends.
Family gatherings were one of his favourite passions where he would take the time to prepare endless trays of snacks and goodies to share amongst family and friends. Bill will surely be missed for his Smoked Fish (lake trout and white fish). His fish was always the talk of the community, his recipe was very simple, a fish, a 45 gallon drum, brown sugar, coarse salt, black coals, and flavoured wood chips! That’s it, the family have tried smoking it Dads way, but not the same, Dad had the knack for doing this special treat for family and friends.
Dad loved guiding and was called upon this task several times during the summer from tourist camps. He loved sharing the history of the lake, and also seeing the enjoyment and excitement of the guests that he was guiding for the day. He certainly knew where all the good fishing spots were, and if he liked you well enough you would know too!
Blueberry season was a special time of the year, Dad had many friends that would ask him to pick gallons of berries for them. He could pick double the amount of berries that any ordinary person could pick. Mom would clean his berries, as the years progressed he got better at picking his berries clean so that she could try to keep up with him.
William is survived by his children, John (Linda), Deborah Duguid (Rene Ledger), Tracy, William (Donna), Wendy Slobozian (Jose Pires). Grandchildren, Jason (Jenn), Ahron (Callie), Joshua, Jenna, brother Morris (Carol), and sister- in- law Janice Dietiker, as well as many nieces and nephews.
William was predeceased by his parents Albert and Ester Groves, and in laws John and Edna Dietiker. Sisters/brothers- in -law, Jean (Alan) and Shirley (Chester)Allison, Dorothy (Eric)Hertz, and Beatrice (Bob)Hamlyn, brothers Albert (Anne)Groves, Donald (Daisy) Groves, and brother -in –law John Dietiker.
William’s (Bill’s) family would like to express their extreme appreciation for the care and compassion given to Dad by all the caregivers at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, and St Joe’s Care group, as well as his Dr’s Kelly and Ward. Along with palliative care nurses Julie, Meredith, and Angie and the PSW’s that came to his home during his final days, He was definitely treated with the utmost dignity.
There will be a Celebration of life planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, or St Andrew’s Dew Drop Inn, as they were the two associations that Dad regularly donated to.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
