Obituary of Joseph Glenville Addley

J. Glen Addley, 89, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2020. Loving husband of Marlene. Dear father of Gary (Diane), Susan (Paul), the late Tanya, and the late Jeffrey (Wendy). Dear brother of Lillian (Fleming), the late Richard (Ruth), the late Joy (Ralph), and the late Albert. Beloved grandfather to Mike, Amber (Jimmy), Sean, Jack (Danielle), Cara, and Sarah (Travis), and great grandfather to Corbin. Glen was born on November 27th, 1930 to Joseph and Grace (Tanner) Addley, in Yarmouth Heights, Ontario Canada. Glen met Marlene when he was 13, and knew shortly afterwards that she would be the girl for him. He attended Sir Adam Beck Collegiate Institute and completed Grade 13 at London Central Collegiate Institute in 1950 while also training to be an air cadet. Having a love for baseball, he was a catcher nicknamed "Gopher", and also earned the rank of Queen Scout. Glen was the first member of his family to attend university, earning a Bachelor's degree of Industrial Engineering from the General Motors Institute of Technology (now Kettering University). Glen spent many weekends hitchhiking from Flint, MI to London, ON to see his girl, Marlene Bryant. One week after Marlene turned 18, they eloped on November 17, 1951. They kept the secret while Marlene was enrolled in nurses training, living at the hospital dormitory, to allow her to continue her education. The school had a strict no marriage policy, but that did not scare Glen away from marrying his true love. A little later, Marlene delivered their first little girl, Tanya, but she did not survive to go home with them. Forever devoted to Marlene, Glen pleaded to meet with the head nurse for training and convinced her to let Marlene finish her degree. Marlene was the first RN to graduate with a married name. After graduating GMI in 1955, Glen and Marlene moved to Windsor, and he started at Ford Motor Co. where he introduced IBM as a tool for improving manufacturing controls. That December, Jeffrey was born, and in October 1957, Gary joined the family. A few months later, they returned to London when Glen joined Continental Can Co. as the plant industrial engineer. Glen and Marlene quickly connected with their new neighbors on Burlington Crescent and developed lifelong friendships. Susan was one of three little girls on that street born the Summer of 1960. With their neighbors, the family started to vacation on Lake Huron at Deer Park Lodge in Bayfield, which became a 22 year tradition with three other families. Glen taught the boys to play golf in Bayfield. Glen always enjoyed returning to Canada ("home" he would say), to visit relatives and dear friends. Boy... did he love those butter tarts! Additionally, Glen and Marlene were active in their church and for many years Glen was a Boyscout master. He was proud to take his troop, #77, on an outdoor camping trip every Winter. In February 1967, Continental Can Co. transferred Glen's family to New Jersey, where he was a regional industrial engineer. Because no house ice hockey leagues existed for his sons to play, he created and directed a youth hockey league. His goal was to provide an opportunity to kids, of all talent levels, to play hockey. Glen enjoyed refereeing multiple games per week and his good friend pitched in to help and learned to coach. In 1977, Glen and Marlene moved to Southfield MI, and 8 years later, he joined International Paper. The family was reunited because Jeffrey and Gary were both currently attending Michigan State University, and Susan would attend Eastern Michigan University. This was an important goal for Glen, as each of his children were enrolled in university. Glen was very dedicated to his family and worked diligently to provide every opportunity to them so they could pursue their life goals with success. In 1979, Glen bought the "Madjag", a 22 ft. sailboat. He and Marlene spent countless weekends sailing around Lake St. Clair together. Glen was a spiritual man and loved belonging to The Church of the Redeemer in Southfield. He met some of his best friends at church. Together they would escort children on the long bus trip to and from the Shriners Hospital, and for fun they enjoyed Friday night happy hours together! Glen's family grew as his children got married and the grandchildren arrived. Wendy and Jeffrey had Mike and Sean. Gary and Diane had Amber and Cara. Paul and Susan added Jack and Sarah. Glen (Pop Pop) and Marlene (Nannie) were always thrilled to be with their grandkids! They hosted Easter egg hunts, wonderful Christmas celebrations with a roaring fire and poppers with party hats, jaunts out to Glen's garden to pick peas, beans, lettuce or zucchini squash, and made many visits to all of the grandkids activities. He loved his family! Glen and Marlene had a passion for travel and exploring the world. In 1996, when Glen retired, he leased a full size van. For the next two summers he and Marlene would explore on trips to both the West Coast and the East Coast. They packed their golf clubs, sleeping bags and a map. They visited amazing sites, National parks, and friends along the way. In 2001 Glen and Marlene took off with two of Glens fraternity brothers and their wives and had a great time touring through Australia and New Zealand. They saw the Grand Canyon with Jeff and Wendy, cruised through the Trent-Severn waterway with Garys family, enjoyed sunshine in Florida with Susan, and golfed with friends in Myrtle Beach for years. Glen loved to take his bride on a trip! In 2011, Glen and Marlene moved to Fox Run Independent Living. They enjoyed many bridge games, dinners with new neighbors and afternoons on the golf course. Glen was so proud to celebrate all 6 of his grandchildrens university graduations. In 2016, Corbin, born to Amber and Jimmy, became the first great grandchild. Such a joy for Pop Pop and Nannie! Glens legacy will live on through his teachings of unconditional love, value of education, value of hard work, and unfailing perseverance. His love for Marlene is a lesson to us all on "how to love". A celebration of Glens life will be held at a later date. Please send condolences to either : Susan Oliver at 860 Teaberry Place, Commerce Township, MI 48390 or to Gary Addley at 2142 Sandlewood, White Lake, MI 48383. Donations in memory of Glens life can be made to: 1. Cash donations will be used to provide lunch for the Covid19 frontline workers and first responders at Glens residence, Fox Run. 2. Salvation Army at Give.salvationarmyusa.org 3. The Alzheimers Association at: www.ALZ.org, or 1-800-272-3900. 4. The Shriners Hospital at: donate.lovetotherescue.org or 844-739-0849 Please reference J. Glen Addley as the honoree and Susan Oliver as the recipient. If an address or email is requested please use Susans or Garys address listed above and email: susanaddleyoliver@gmail.com or gary.addley@avisford.com. Thank you with love and gratitude from Glen and his family.