Mr. William J. Adair, Sr.

Mr. William J. Adair, Sr. age 77, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at DePaul Horizons in Canandaigua, New York. Born in Brooklyn on May 29, 1937, William was the son of the late William and Alice (Johnson) Adair. He was raised and educated in his native Brooklyn. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he honorably served his country stateside from 1955-1958. It was while he was stationed at Griffiss Air Force Base that he met the former Rose C. Obernesser whom he married on September 20, 1958 in St. Agnes Church in Utica. Rose predeceased her husband in February 2005. Beginning in 1959, Bill pursued a successful and challenging civilian career in the (F.A.A.) Federal Aviation Administration at JKF Airport and he also held positions as an Air Traffic Supervisor in the tower at both Oneida County Airport and Griffiss Air Force Base. He retired in 1994 after 45 years of conscientious and rewarding service. As dedicated as he was to his professional life, Bill considered his family life and his friendships to be of primary importance and significance. He was a good husband, a loving father, and loyal friend. Bill is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Alice and John McDonald of Mendon, NY; his sons and daughters-in-law, William J. Jr. and Kim Adair of Jericho, VT, and Jeffrey and Deborah Adair of Harrisburg, NC; and his grandchildren, Brent, and Bradley Adair, James, and John (Jack) McDonald; and Ashley Rose, and Andrew Adair. His extended family includes a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and in-laws, Lawrence and Angela Obernesser, and Roy Russo. He was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Isabelle, and Clair Grew; his brothers and sisters in law, Dr. Charles J. and Frances Obernesser, Ann Russo, Thomas and Doris Obernesser, Agnes and George Morris, Patricia DeBlois and Leo Obernesser. The family would like to thank the staff at Cedarbrook and DePaul Horizons for their excellent care to Bill. The family will honor and commemorate Bill’s life in a private gathering. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend William’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday morning at 10:30 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski with Military Honors conferred. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the service. Donations may be made to the Huntington's Disease Society of America or the American Heart Association in Bill's memory; envelopes will be available at the church. Interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., Utica, NY 13501.

Mr. William J. Adair, Sr.

May 29, 1937 - May 13, 2015