Life Story for
Egon Epp
In Loving Memory of Egon Epp
Dec 9, 1929 – Feb 4, 2019
Egon was born on the 9th day of December, 1929, the third child of Paul & Elfriede Epp (nee Kadtler) in Preu. Rosengart Westpreussen, Germany. A brother to Else and Hannelore, Egon had a happy childhood until, in 1939, his father died in a farm accident and then came the war. In 1944 Egon was one of the last four people baptized in the Mennonite church in the village. In 1945, the family had to flee the area.
In Finsterwalde, near Berlin, Egon was fortunate enough to find a position with a furniture manufacturer as an apprentice carpenter, where he graduated from his apprenticeship in 3 years. Upon graduation, Egon escaped East Germany and made it to Ahrweiler, West Germany, where he joined the Mennonite church at Neuwied am Rhein.
Egon emigrated to Canada in June, 1953 starting off in Leamington, Ontario. A chance trip with friends to Niagara-On-The-Lake introduced him to the area where he would move in 1955 and spend the next 64 years. When first in Niagara, Egon stayed with the Thiessen family on Hunter Road and found work making wood framed windows and later building houses. During this period, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, Egon and his blue ’52 Ford charmed Marianne Goertzen and after two years of dating, they were married on September 20th, 1958 at the Niagara United Mennonite Church.
After seven years confined by the straight lines of window frames and roof trusses, Egon heard the call of a new industry in Niagara and enjoyed the next 34 years working on the complex curves of sailboats while in charge of the woodshop for C&C yachts, and later Hinterhoeller yachts. Many examples of his cabinetmaking are still found on beautiful yachts sailing the Great Lakes and oceans of the world. Later, in retirement, Egon found joy in building a large variety of wooden toys, most of which were donated to friends, family and various charities.
Egon will be lovingly remembered by his wife of over 60 years, Marianne, his sister, Hannelore, his children Nelly Hicks (Peter), Karin Gorham (Bill), Nancy Robertson (Mike) and Kevin (Barbara); and grandchildren Robert (Marieke), Carol, Amanda, Heather, Ezekiel, Noah and Abbey, as well as nieces and nephews in both Europe and North America.
The family will receive friends at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A service to celebrate the life of Egon, will be held at Niagara United Mennonite Church, 1775 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake on Monday, February 11, 2019 at 11 a.m. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to either the Radiant Care Pleasant Manor or to Mennonite Central Committee.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Egon
Epp 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Province: Ontario