Adolph Presidio

Adolph Presidio, age 98, former Beaverton Mayor and Gladwin County Commissioner died Sunday, July 9, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents: Dominic and Ernestina Presidio; wife: Virginie; daughter: Anne; and his sister: Mary. He is survived by his daughter: Linda (Anthony) Cabose; grandchildren: Gregory (Rachel) Cabose; Carol (Joseph) David; Sloan (Amy) Presidio and great grandchildren: Josie, Parker and Cameron David, Gabriel and Dominic Presidio and Austin Cabose.

Adolph’s 44 years as an elected public official included 18 years (2 non-consecutive terms 1950-1958 & 1963-1971) as Mayor of Beaverton, and 26 consecutive years (1975-2002) of service on the Gladwin County Board of Commissioners. Memberships include: Gladwin County Representative for the Michigan Association of Counties Council on Aging; Midland/Gladwin Mental Health Board; Beaverton Lions Club; Gladwin County VFW; Beaverton Masonic Lodge; Gladwin County Hospital Board; Chamber of Commerce; Beaverton Business Association, and Beaverton Industrial Development Committee. In connection with these organizations, Adolph was often asked to MC special events. His quick wit and humor earned him a reputation as a capable entertainer.

Adolph was born October 8, 1918 in Clinton, Indiana and was raised with his only sibling Mary in St. Charles, Michigan. He married Virginie Berry May 6, 1939. He entered military service in the US Navy in 1943 and served three years aboard a destroyer that delivered and picked up troops from islands in the Pacific war zone. After returning to civilian life he worked for the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan before moving to Beaverton in 1947. He and his cousin Ralph Presidio bought the Standard Oil gas station on the northeast corner of Brown Street and M-18. In 1955 they acquired a Ford dealer franchise and purchased the adjacent property (the old State Garage) to accommodate their new business. Presidio Ford operated until Adolph’s retirement in 1987. A highlight of his years with Ford was serving on the Ford Dealer Advertising Council.

Reflecting on his long public service career, Adolph said his priority for political action was, “Beaverton first, Gladwin County second, the State of Michigan third, and the USA & the rest will have to wait their turn.” Highlights of his mayoral years include making the first telephone call from Beaverton’s new dial system on March 10, 1954; initiating the sewer/storm system that led to a big school expansion; the annexation of 30 acres by the City for the expansion of Brown Industries, and building the $350,000 waste water treatment system. Urged by Beaverton City officials to run for the Gladwin County Commission, Adolph became the representative for District 6, which includes the City of Beaverton and Beaverton Township. He served as chairmen of the board and chairmen of the finance committee. Regarding fiscal responsibility, he told a news reporter, “I thought it was more prudent to work with a surplus than from a deficit.” When he retired from the Board of Commissioners in 2002, at the age of 83, he said his most satisfying personal achievement was being responsible for obtaining a Gladwin County Library Branch in Beaverton.

When responding to reporters who interviewed him about his success in business and politics, he always gave credit to his wife Virginie for believing in his dreams and goals. Articles in the Gladwin County Record & Clarion have described him as a “tough and determined advocate for what he feels will benefit the community, a politician prognosticator (predicts the future based on present indications) and a personality to be reckoned with.” At age 98 he was still issuing directives and sharing his political views. He celebrated the 4 ^th of July at his home on Ross Lake and watched the fireworks from his porch. Visitors stopped to say Hello and he was presented with a beautiful patriotic quilt- a gift from the Beaverton Crazy Heart Quilters. Celebrating the 4 ^th of July Holiday was the last of the goals he had set for 2017. He met that goal and was granted his wish to live in his own house until he had to move to his other piece of real estate down the road. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Funeral Services for Adolph will be conducted on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 11:00 A.M. at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Beaverton, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, from 4-8:00 P.M. at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home, Beaverton, Michigan. He will be laid to rest at Beaverton City Cemetery, Beaverton, Michigan. www.hall-kokotovichfuneralhome.com