My Dad was born in Berlin March 19, 1923 and died March 28, 2018 in his 96th year. Dad grew up in a happy family with two brothers and particularly enjoyed hikes in the woods and days on the beach.  WW II saw him serving on a minesweeper in the North Sea.  He much preferred the rum salvaged from a wreck to the regimented life of the military.  When his ship was sunk in harbour with all hands aboard, while Dad was picking up orders at the telegraph office ashore, he took that as a sign that maybe he ought to move on.  He spent time heading towards home cross country, subsisting on a steady diet of potatoes he managed to scavenge and roast on a campfire.  He maintained a hatred of baked potatoes the rest of his life.  After the war, various adventures in farming ensued, including one particularly extended period in Switzerland that resulted in lifelong friendships. In 1955, Dad made the leap and set out to see the world.  His destination was Australia, first stop Canada.  He arrived on a warm July day with his heavy great coat, and was greeted by an ice cream cone provided by his new employer.  The way to Dad's heart was always through his stomach and that family also became lifelong friends. Dad met the love of his life at the Little Grand Theatre in London, Ontario.  He was volunteering to build sets and, of course, Evelyn had to tell him he was doing it all wrong.  They had a lovely life together (although she often continued to tell him he was doing it all wrong!) and enjoyed antiquing, building houses and travelling in North America and Europe, not to mention raising me. With Dad from Germany and Mom from Ireland, it seemed an odd combination, but when I was about five, we met a family with similar heritage in Eva and Fergie and enjoyed many years of friendship. Dad cared for Mom until she died peacefully at home in 2009. After her death, he continued to cultivate many friendships and keep his fitness regime at the Fitness Firm and coffee breaks at Fortinos, particularly thanks to his good friend Paul.  He also managed two trips back to Germany with me, including one to celebrate the 100th birthday of his cousin, Heinz. Dad always hoped to make that mark too. Both trips included extended stays with Dad's nephew, Stephan and family, which were warm and fun-filled occasions. Dad always loved reading, and kept up two newspapers a day as long as he could.  He was known for being up on the latest business news, interested in the politics of the day and history in particular.  He was never happier than when he had someone's ear to bend with his latest story (or more often an old story...).  They were sometimes hard to follow, but they were always told with enthusiasm and a singularity of purpose. A review of Dad's life would not be complete without mention of his long friendship with Herbert and Else Braune and their family, and brandy. Dad and Herbert were very different people, but they began a friendship in their teenage years that lasted through the years.  And anyone who has visited Dad, knows that he always was ready to offer food and libations to visitors, always culminating in brandy. Church and spiritual belief were important to Dad, although he was always more interested in the worship than what denomination the church was. Nevertheless, he and Mom were faithful congregants of St. Jude's for 40 years and made many friends here. His last couple of years have been spent in increasingly declining health, but he maintained his sense of humour, his kindness and his interest in people to the very end.  These last years were made more comfortable by the loving support from the lovely staff at Lasalle Park retirement residence, the Best Care Agency and his friend Winnifred.  Funeral service will be on Tuesday, April 3 at 11:00 at St. Jude's church in Oakville (160 William St.) followed by a reception in the church hall.  Donations in lieu of flowers to St. Jude's Church or the charity of your choice are appreciated.