Obituary for Wolfgang Diether Besser
Besser; Wolfgang
Surrounded by family at Grey Gables Nursing Home on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Formerly of Eugenia in his 91st year. Predeceased by his much beloved Rosemarie. Loving father of Ralph (Rik Steven) of Cookstown, Martin (Deborah) of Wasaga Beach. Predeceased by youngest son Frank (Melanie) and brothers Hartmut and Sigurd. Wolfgang will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Ryan, Ashlyn, Tyler and Myriah.
Born January 17, 1929, in Silesia, Germany, Wolfgang’s family was forced to flee their home during WW2 when it was invaded by the Russian army and the region was transferred to Poland. He was drafted in 1945 when he turned 16, captured and held in a Russian POW camp, and escaped to West Germany to rejoin his family and rebuild their lives after the war.
In 1954, Wolf met the love of his life, Rose, and in 1957 they married and emigrated to Canada to begin a new life. They raised 3 sons and Wolf found work at St. Michael’s hospital. He started in the maintenance department fixing broken hospital test equipment, studied electronics at DeVry, and helped the hospital establish their biomedical engineering department. He studied heart sounds, vectorcardiography, and pacemakers, and assisted doctors during pacemaker implantation with electronic measurements and programming. He co-authored a published article on the subject with his good friend and colleague Dr. Peter Forbath, traveled between pacemaker clinics in Toronto and Timmins to support patients, and was given a great send off by the medical and administrative staff at St. Mikes when he retired in 1990.
Wolf built his own cottage, which he renovated to become his retirement home in Flesherton, Ontario, overlooking Lake Eugenia. He and Rose lived there from his retirement until her passing, when he moved to Grey Gables. Wolf loved to paint and his paintings reflected the many mountains vistas he had seen in his life and travels. He enjoyed taking photos and left his family many wonderful digital memories to cherish. Wolf learned to play the organ and loved to fill his home with beautiful music. He often volunteered by playing his organ at Grey Gables.
At 83, Wolf decided to try skydiving. He jumped 3 times, along with 2 of his grandchildren. He was never afraid of a challenge and was an inspiration to his family and many friends.
At Wolfgang's request, cremation has taken place. Due to the closure of the church and current state of our country, Wolf's celebration of life will be held at a later date that will be announced once the church is open again. Thank you for your understanding. Online donations and condolences available at www.fawcettfuneralhome.ca
Surrounded by family at Grey Gables Nursing Home on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Formerly of Eugenia in his 91st year. Predeceased by his much beloved Rosemarie. Loving father of Ralph (Rik Steven) of Cookstown, Martin (Deborah) of Wasaga Beach. Predeceased by youngest son Frank (Melanie) and brothers Hartmut and Sigurd. Wolfgang will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Ryan, Ashlyn, Tyler and Myriah.
Born January 17, 1929, in Silesia, Germany, Wolfgang’s family was forced to flee their home during WW2 when it was invaded by the Russian army and the region was transferred to Poland. He was drafted in 1945 when he turned 16, captured and held in a Russian POW camp, and escaped to West Germany to rejoin his family and rebuild their lives after the war.
In 1954, Wolf met the love of his life, Rose, and in 1957 they married and emigrated to Canada to begin a new life. They raised 3 sons and Wolf found work at St. Michael’s hospital. He started in the maintenance department fixing broken hospital test equipment, studied electronics at DeVry, and helped the hospital establish their biomedical engineering department. He studied heart sounds, vectorcardiography, and pacemakers, and assisted doctors during pacemaker implantation with electronic measurements and programming. He co-authored a published article on the subject with his good friend and colleague Dr. Peter Forbath, traveled between pacemaker clinics in Toronto and Timmins to support patients, and was given a great send off by the medical and administrative staff at St. Mikes when he retired in 1990.
Wolf built his own cottage, which he renovated to become his retirement home in Flesherton, Ontario, overlooking Lake Eugenia. He and Rose lived there from his retirement until her passing, when he moved to Grey Gables. Wolf loved to paint and his paintings reflected the many mountains vistas he had seen in his life and travels. He enjoyed taking photos and left his family many wonderful digital memories to cherish. Wolf learned to play the organ and loved to fill his home with beautiful music. He often volunteered by playing his organ at Grey Gables.
At 83, Wolf decided to try skydiving. He jumped 3 times, along with 2 of his grandchildren. He was never afraid of a challenge and was an inspiration to his family and many friends.
At Wolfgang's request, cremation has taken place. Due to the closure of the church and current state of our country, Wolf's celebration of life will be held at a later date that will be announced once the church is open again. Thank you for your understanding. Online donations and condolences available at www.fawcettfuneralhome.ca