Adolphus C. Hailstork

Adolphus C. Hailstork

Adolphus C. Hailstork, 94, of Ithaca, New York, passed away om Tuesday, April 13, 2010.

Dolly as he was affectionately known by those closest to him, was born on September 9, 1915, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Adolphus C. Hailstork Sr. and the former Laura Richardson.

As a child the family moved from Maryland to New Jersey and finally to upstate New York. Dolly graduated from Elmira Free Academy. He enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 19 and served in West Point, New York, prior to World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1938.

Dolly was a longtime resident of Ithaca and loved the town and its people and was active in many local endeavors including overseeing his father's Laundromat on Corn Street, one of the first African American owned businesses in Ithaca. Dolly was an excellent athlete and avid bowler even serving as a past president of the Ithaca Bowler's Association.

Nothing gave him greater joy than his association with the Brothers of Sigma Pi Fraternity at Cornell University. Dolly retired as the fraternity's cook after 32 years of service. From 1960 until 1992, he mentored hundreds of young men and impressively remembered their names, hometowns and girlfriends years after they graduated. People who met Dolly never forgot him and he never forgot them. In 2002, the fraternity held a reception in New York City celebrating their honorary brother and beloved cook. Fraternity members spanning 50 years attended the event. It was a great memory for Dolly and the Brothers alike. His spirit, wit, smile and infectious laughter will be forever in the memory and hearts of those he touched. May God rest his soul.

In addition to his parents, Dolly was preceded in death by his sister, Acqullia; and his second wife, Phyllis Hailstork.

He is survived by his most recent wife, Lyria Brown Hailstork of Charlottesville, Virginia; children, Adolphus C. Hailstork III of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Lyria Belle Hailstork of Charlottesville, Virginia and Roger C. (Rosa) Hailstork of Oceanside, California; along with grandchildren, Tyler Catherine Hailstork and Peyton C. Hailstork.

Calling hours are from 1 until 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2010, at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 West Green Street, Ithaca, New York.

A memorial service will be held following at 6 p.m. the visitation at Sigma Pi Fraternity, 730 University Avenue.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.