Adrian Karmel

Adrian Karmel passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side at Roberta Place LTC in Barrie at the age of 94.  At this time, we would like to express our gratitude to the staff at Roberta Place for their tender, gentle care in his final days.

Adrian was born in London, England to Dennis and Elsie Griggs on July 13^th, 1931.  Like many children during WW2, Adrian and his younger brother Clive were evacuated from the bombings in London to Wales where he was cared for by a loving Welsh family.  He often spoke warmly of his time there as a child, and had the opportunity to return to the village many years later.  At that time he was celebrated at a dinner where one of the village children referred to him as having been "evaporated" from London.  A memory that still brings a smile when recalled.

He went on to study at the Ealin Art College where he obtained his diploma in Fine Arts.  He would go on to enjoy and appreciate art until his final days.

Adrian met his future wife, Beryl Doubtfire at a department store they both worked at in London called John Lewis.  Married in 1960, Beryl and Adrian lived briefly in Norway, then onto Canada where they had their only child, Anna-Karena.

Adrian wore many hats, both figuratively and literally during his working life.  He started as the youngest train driver for the London Underground at the age of 21.  A job that brought him joy and recognition, as well as one that he spoke of fondly even as he was under the grips of Dementia.  He then pursued occupations such as Barbering, then teaching hairdressing where he became acquainted with the Hairdressers Union.  He discovered a passion and natural talent for negotiating and dealing with both unions and management.  From there, he went on to become a successful union organizer for NUPE (England) and CUPE (Canada).  Later, he spent time as an organizer for The Teamsters, and no, he doesn't know where Jimmy Hoffa is.   In his later years he would retire as a Pinkerton Security guard.

Adrian was blessed with 65 years of marriage to Beryl.  He loved being a father to Anna-Karena (Johann) and a grandfather to Andre and Francesca.  He was predeceased by his dear brother Clive (Sheila), and his mother and father.  Not to be forgotten were his many pet cats whom he adored.

Adrian spent two years in the RAF from the ages of eighteen to twenty.  He loved politics and art.  He was a voracious reader, pipe enthusiast and classical music buff.

Much love and thanks to all of our dear friends who have shown such care and concern over these four and a half difficult years.

A Celebration of Adrian’s Life will be held on October 24^th, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147 (410 St. Vincent St., Barrie, ON: parking lot entrance off Ferris Lane, Barrie, ON)

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Society.
(Donate Here)