KURTZ, WILFRED (Willie) LOUIS—April 13, 1926- June 27, 2021 Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family in his 96th year. Loving husband, sweetheart and dance partner of Dorothy “Dot” Evelyn (Reek) for 65 years. Devoted father of Bradley Kurtz (Lisa), Dayle Toscan (Frank) and Allison Hedges (Darren). Proud Grandpa to Chelsey Young (Caitlyn), Brendan Kurtz (Stephanie), Justine Giosa (Andrew), Jordan Toscan (Anja), Dylan Toscan (Laura Krizan), Julia Toscan (Geoff Hiebert), Jocelyn Hedges and Reese Hedges. A special Great-Grandpa to Gideon, Ivy-Rose, Sawyer, Olivia and Gabriel. Reunited in heaven with his 6 brothers and sisters Dorothy Hall (Ronald), James Kurtz, Rita Tracey (Jim), Ralph Kurtz, Gerald Kurtz (Doreen) and Irene Laidlaw (Richard), his parents Albert and Ellen Kurtz and best friends Betty and Leo Heffernan. Survived by his sisters-in-law Helen Kurtz and Ruth Kurtz.
Willie worked hard to build a life filled with love and opportunity for his family. From the time they met at a barn dance at the Kurtz family farm in 1943, home for Willie became wherever Dorothy was—the farmhouse in Ariss where they raised their family, the retirement home they built together on the farm, their retreat in Florida and eventually the home they would live out the rest of their days together in the Guelph Arboretum. They both shared a love for travel and cherished their memories of many trips with friends and family.
Willie was passionate about farming and agriculture and together with his two brothers Jim and Gerald, built Kurtz Produce Inc. He found great joy in working and caring for the land, spending time in nature and especially time walking and clearing the bush.
Willie was the ‘strong silent type’, but still loved to throw a good party. Together as a team, Dot and Willie hosted countless celebrations with their large family and many friends, including pool parties, corn roasts, euchre tournaments and memorable snowmobile gatherings ‘back at the bus’.
As a dad, Willie taught his children the value of hard work, to be honest, fair and kind and how to have fun. He showed a deep appreciation for the country life and a strong faith in God. As a grandpa, Willie taught his grandchildren how to drive, how to play cards, and how to sneak an ice cream cone or grandma’s peanut clusters out of the freezer. Willie’s strong loving arms and big working hands were always perfect to hold his great grand babies.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Willie’s wonderful in-home care giving team, especially Ena, Urmila and Rachael, who treated Willie with tender love and care right until the very end. A special thank you to Dr. Anna Issakoff-Meller for her on-going support.
The family will receive friends at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph, on Friday, July 2, 2021 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Due to Covid restrictions, guests must rsvp their attendance through the funeral home website. Masks are mandatory.
A private funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 10 a.m. A live streaming link will be located on the funeral home website.
“God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you, and whispered ‘come to me’. With tearful eyes we watched you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.”
As expressions of sympathy, donations to Autismcanada.org or to Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Cards available at the funeral home or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wilfred Kurtz Sunday June 27th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Guelph, Province: Ontario