ABOC o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-04-24 published
KERN,
Doctor
Rolf
Robert
On the evening of Friday, April 21, 2006, Rolf succumbed to heart
failure and passed away peacefully at Saint Michael's Hospital
in Toronto. After thirteen years battling prostate cancer and
five years post kidney failure, his strength could endure no
more for his 78 years. Predeceased in 1998 by Inge, his wife
of 40 years, Rolf was a loving and devoted father to his three
girls Rona and husband Luke
O'CONNOR of Los Angeles, Barbara
and husband Dougal
MacDONALD of Toronto and Petra and husband
James SWAYZE of Toronto. His five grandchildren, Elina
O'CONNOR,
Katrina MacDONALD and Spencer, Olivia and Erika
SWAYZE will miss
their beloved Opi who leaves a legacy as a caring and conscientious
patriarch. Born on August 5, 1927, to Friedrich and Lina in Freiburg,
Germany, Rolf and brother Fritz worked the Bakerei Kern before
a war-torn Germany saw him imprisoned in a Siberian camp at the
age of 18. Before immigrating to Toronto, Canada in 1958 to help
spearhead the North American expansion of the Gerling Konzern
insurance operations, Rolf completed his PhD in Economics at
the University of Freiburg. During his studies, Rolf traveled
extensively and was honored as the first German student invited
to the United States by the Rotary Club. His business savvy and
intelligence earned him the position of President and Director
of Gerling Global General and Reinsurance companies where he
led the organization to an unprecedented record of 10 straight
years of underwriting profit. His passion for beauty in many
forms was evident in the rose gardens of his Willowdale home
and Muskoka cottage and in his appreciation of music and modern
dance. His intuitive investment philosophy saw continued success
beyond his retirement where his keen sense for resource stocks
and currency trading earned him a following in financial circles.
Revered for his wisdom and respected for his strength of character
and integrity his greatest attribute was his generosity. As a
mentor to future leaders, a helping hand to those in need or
the simple gesture of chocolates for the parking attendant, Rolf
concerned himself with the well being of others above all. Spiritually,
through meditation and yoga, his belief in Buddhist teachings
and the reincarnation of the soul will ensure that he will always
be among us. 'Life is hard if you take it hard' was his mantra
and few people could boast such a robust and fulfilling existence
- every day he was with us, Rolf
KERN truly lived. Special thanks
to Lilia ABOC who was not only a caregiver but a companion to
Rolf for many years and whose devotion shone through in his final
days. Doctor
BAXTER,
Nurse
Sam and rest of the team deserve credit
for making his stay at Saint Michael's so pleasant towards the
end. Thanks must also go to the extraordinary group of nurses
led by Doctor
GOLDSTEIN in the hemodialysis unit of the hospital
for their help in sustaining Rolf's life through the past 5 years
with kindness and compassion. A celebration of Rolf's life will
take place at the Granite Club located at 2350 Bayview Avenue
north of Lawrence this Friday, April 28, 2006, from 5: 00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
with a tribute at 6: 30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to
the Hemodialysis Unit, Saint Michael's Hospital expressed in the
name of Rolf
KERN, would be appreciated.
A... Names AB... Names ABO... Names Welcome Home
ABOC - All Categories in OGSPI
ABOLS o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2006-03-01 published
ABOLS,
Harijs
B. Riga July 25, 1914 - D. February 18, 2006 Sudbury
After a courageous struggle with declining physical health at
his home in Sudbury. Harijs came to Canada in 1949 after escaping
the Red Army and Nazi conscription in Latvia during the 2nd World
War. He brought his wife Lucija (deceased 1974) and infant son
Janis after which he proceeded to carve out an outstanding career
in construction management from coast to coast in Canada and
Greece over a period of 50 years, only retiring after his last
project for Agnico Eagle Mines at age 85. He is survived by sons
Janis (Diane) of Sudbury and Peter of Calgary, grandchildren
Jennifer Anna (Patrick), Kerry Peter, Kathleen and Elizabeth,
wife Michelle of New Liskeard, extended family in Toronto, the
U.S.A., Australia and Latvia including special nephew Persijs.
Harijs was the family historian and was instrumental in reconnecting
the Abols' in North America with family in Latvia after the collapse
of the Soviet communist regime in 1991. Cremation has already
taken place and as per his wishes no formal funeral will be held.
He leaves a void that will be hard to fill. Ardievu Tetin
A... Names AB... Names ABO... Names Welcome Home
ABOLS - All Categories in OGSPI
ABOUD o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.toronto_star 2006-01-31 published
ROWLEY,
Melville
George "
Mel"
Passed away at Headwaters Health Care Centre, Shelburne Site
on Sunday January 29, 2006, in his 70th year; beloved husband
of Tillie SHEEHAN; loved father of Sheila
SCHNEIDER and her husband
Charles, Steven and his wife
Dawn and Jennifer
BAYERS and her
husband Ken, all of Orangeville; dear grandfather of Brandon,
Jaclynn,
Kyle,
Cole and Matthew; brother of Mildred
ABOUD and
her husband Ernie; also sadly missed by his nieces, nephews,
other relatives and many Friends; predeceased by his first wife
Rosella O'NEILL (1958) and his sister Doreen
FULLER.
Friends
may call at the Dods and McNair Funeral Home and Chapel, 21 First
Street, Orangeville on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral
Mass will be from St. Timothy Catholic Church, 42 Dawson Road,
Orangeville on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at 11: 00 a.m. Interment
Forest Lawn Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to
Headwaters Health Care Palliative Care or charity of choice would
be appreciated. A tree has been planted in memory of Mel in the
Dods and McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation
Area, Orangeville. A dedication service will be held on Sunday,
September 10, 2006 at 2: 30 p.m. (Condolences may be offered to
the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com).
A... Names AB... Names ABO... Names Welcome Home
ABOUD - All Categories in OGSPI