Reverend Edwin 'Ralph' Adye was born at London, England on 6 October 1897. He came to Canada in 1906 and attended school at Hamilton, ON. He served in the First World War and was wounded at Hill 70 in 1917. When he returned to Canada, he served on the staff of the Department of Soldiers' Civil Rehabilitation.

After graduating as an Anglican priest from Wycliffe College in Toronto in 1925, he served as a rector in Kinmount, ON. From 1928-30 he was Assistant Rector at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Cobourg and Rector at All Saints' Anglican Church in Whitby from 1930-1941.

While in Whitby, Adye was Chaplain of Branch 112 of the Canadian Legion and organized a drumhead service in Whitby on 24 October 1937 for Legion members throughout Ontario. He was Vice-Chairman of the Legion Provincial Command and Chairman of the Poppy Fund. During the Second World War, Adye served in England as a Chaplain with the Canadian Army from 1941-1945.

Adye was named a Canon of the Anglican Church in Canada and died at Florida on 12 April 1982. He is buried at Sanctuary Park Cemetery in Toronto.