Obituary of Eric Knoespel
Eric Otto Herbert Knoespel passed away on December 4th, 2020 in Georgetown Ontario in his eighty-seventh year. He will be missed by his children Andrea (Frank), Marcus (Cathy), son-in-law François, and by his grandchildren Jessica, Madison (Drew), Erich (Ryan), and Eva. Eric was predeceased by his wife Siglinde and his daughter Mona. Eric will also be missed by his brother Bruno (and family) in Brandenburg, Germany.
Eric was born in east Germany in 1934. His mother died while he was eight years old and with his father off to war, he was schooled at Kloster Lenine. As a young man he began apprenticing as a gardener. His apprenticeship led him to Werder (Havel). With help from his boss and mentor, Bruno Krause, Eric was able to escape east Germany under the guise of visiting a «relative» for a bicycle race. Cycling was one of Eric’s many life-long passions. Eric found a job as a gardener in Sweden where he met his soon-to-be wife Siglinde. Together they made plans to get married, start a family, and move to a new country. Eric travelled first to Canada in 1958 to get himself established before being joined the following year by Siglinde and his first-born child, Andrea. With a growing family to support and his determined nature, Eric explored a few different career options until he found his calling as a foundryman.
Eric’s legacy spans Canadian manufacturing and fine-art. Known as Mr. Artcast, Eric was the founder of Artcast Inc., one of Canada’s longest operating art foundries. Of his many accomplishments, he was the first Canadian foundry to cast a Prime Minister for Parliament Hill in Ottawa. He also cast the monument for the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France. Every sculpture past, present, and future cast at Artcast is a testament to his hard work, determination, and dedication to the metal casting industry and to the Canadian art scene. He is fondly remembered by many.
Eric’s family is extremely grateful to all the staff at Amica Georgetown for the care and comfort that Eric experienced. Laura, Michelle, and the Memory care staff always made a point of keeping Eric in contact with his family with video calls, phone calls, and even a socially distanced coffee and cake outside for his birthday.
Due to the nature of the world currently, there will not be any funeral service. There are plans to host a celebration of life and legacy when it is safe to do so. If you wish to donate in Eric’s name, please donate to a charity of your choice. As those who knew Eric know, he had a love for the arts, motorcycling, soaring, and bicycling.
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Eric Knoespel 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Georgetown, Province: Ontario