Alexander Christoph Mitterhuber
November 01, 1929 – June 30, 2019
Dad (Opa) died peacefully at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on Sunday, June 30, 2019, he was 89 years old. Beloved husband of the late Ursula (Ushi), dear father of Ralph and his wife Sharon and Michael and his wife Sue. Much loved and cherished Opa to his grand daughters Michelle, Katlin and Sydney.
Dad was born in the small mountain village of Gostling located in the state of Lower Austria. He was the second of 4 children, born on November 1, 1929, survived by his brother Aloise and sister Tradl. His eldest brother Anton died as a direct result of an unfortunate land mine explosion shortly after the end of WWII. He grew up in Gostling, his father was a butcher and his mother assisted with the butcher shop duties and cared for the home. His father fought in both the first and second world wars, dad and brother Anton fought in the second world war, dad was just 15 years old. Tough times were ahead for the family following the war, grandfather lost his butcher business and the family started to become quite transient, following his fathers search for work as a butcher to support the family. They eventually made Vienna a home and life continued in a more stable existence. Between the age of 16 and 23 dad developed his athletic abilities and competed in numerous sports including judo, karate, speed skating, running, swimming and rowing. Rowing eventually became his main athletic focus and he became a member of the Austrian Rowing Team, competing in the coxless four at the 1952 summer Olympics which were held in Helsinki, Finland.
Following a brief business career that spanned over 8 years dad decided to immigrate to Canada in 1956. Shortly after arriving in Toronto he met our mother Ursula Dorothea Kate Thomaschke, and after a long and active pursuit she finally agreed to marry him. The City Hall wedding ceremony took place on December 24, 1958. They lived in High Park in a rented apartment, Ralph was born on April 28, 1961 and Mike came along 18 months later on October 1, 1962. Mom wanted her own house, so they purchased a small 900 sf bungalow in Oakville on May 1, 1962. The house was completed on Oct 1, 1962 and they moved in a few days after Michael was born. This became the family home over the next 27 years by which time Ralph and Michael had purchased houses of their own. The house was renovated and expanded between 1987 and 1989 which included landscaping, basement renovations and a large kitchen addition with full basement which Michael designed, and Ralph built. This newly renovated house gave mom much joy over the years.
Dad held several jobs in Toronto and then joined the Toronto Harbour Police, starting a career that spanned 18 years. During that time, he patrolled the inner and outer harbour, searched for and saved countless people and was recognized as somewhat of a hero for his efforts in the newspaper on several occasions. During the slower winter months, he became involved with and very interested and proficient in the maintenance and repair of the wooden boats that the Harbour Police owned. He then decided to become an entrepreneur, starting a successful and eventually well-known classic wooden boat repair business that would run for the next 20 years until retirement. Dad’s boat repair work was so well received and recognized that he never had to spend any money on advertising, his business was built solely on word of mouth. He worked on various boats from small craft such as sea flea’s and row boats to 50ft cabin cruisers, some makes included Riva, Ditchburn, Lakeland, Minett Shields, and Chris-craft.
In his retirement years he enjoyed spending time with Ushi, his family, especially his grand daughters and travelling to Florida during the winter months. His interests were varied, he started to play golf at age 60 which provided a great excuse to spend time with his sons. He enjoyed playing his guitar, listening to classical music, reading, watching sports on TV, swimming in his pool and he also took up an interest in skeet and trap shooting.
Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Oakville Memorial Hospital for the excellent care they provided.
Dad (Opa) will be dearly missed by his immediate and extended family and many friends that were touched by his caring and kindness.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Alexander Christoph Mitterhuber November 01 1929 June 30 2019..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Oakville, Province: Ontario