Obituary for William Frederick Thompson Groth
William (Bill) Frederick Thompson Groth - March 9, 1934 – January 21, 2022 - Passed away peacefully at Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket, Ontario on Friday, January 21, 2022 at age 87. He was predeceased by his loving wife Vivienne (nee Desmond) after 60 years of marriage and is survived by his two children, Clinton (Annette) and Virginia, and grandchildren, Dylan and Savannah. William was born in Victoria, British Columbia to Charles and Rose Groth. Following graduation from high school, he learned to fly in the early 1950s at the Victoria Flying Club and subsequently became a commercial pilot, flying sea planes up and down the coast of British Columbia (BC).
He was also a founding partner of Alert Bay Air Services (ABAS) in 1958. ABAS remained active and in business on the BC coast until 1978. William and Vivienne eventually settled and raised their family in Vancouver and Delta, where he worked for Air BC in a managerial capacity until 1996. In retirement, they subsequently moved to London and then Newmarket, Ontario to be closer to family. In addition to flying, William was an avid boater and sailor, he loved downhill skiing and fishing, and was a collector of model railways.
He also loved travelling and spending time with friends and family. Diagnosed in 2018, William battled cancer bravely and stubbornly until the end. There will be a private memorial service for family on Saturday, January 29 at 12 noon. For those unable to attend in person, below is a link to watch live.
Click Here to Watch Live
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Margaret Bahen Hospice
He was also a founding partner of Alert Bay Air Services (ABAS) in 1958. ABAS remained active and in business on the BC coast until 1978. William and Vivienne eventually settled and raised their family in Vancouver and Delta, where he worked for Air BC in a managerial capacity until 1996. In retirement, they subsequently moved to London and then Newmarket, Ontario to be closer to family. In addition to flying, William was an avid boater and sailor, he loved downhill skiing and fishing, and was a collector of model railways.
He also loved travelling and spending time with friends and family. Diagnosed in 2018, William battled cancer bravely and stubbornly until the end. There will be a private memorial service for family on Saturday, January 29 at 12 noon. For those unable to attend in person, below is a link to watch live.
Click Here to Watch Live
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Margaret Bahen Hospice