WALTHER – Bernd H., Milton
It is with great sadness that his family announce the passing of Bernd Walther, age 77, January 7, 2019 in Queens General Hospital, Liverpool after a courageous, year-long battle with cancer.
Born in Germany, to the late Karl and Erna Walther, Bernd emigrated to Toronto with his family in 1953.
At the age of 12, standing six feet tall, he was placed in a Grade One class to learn English. He graduated from Danforth Tech with records in swimming and track, working as a lifeguard at the Granite Club and in Northern Ontario. After becoming a draftsman, he went to Althouse College and became a technical teacher for the Toronto Board of Education. He taught many technical subjects at Brockton High and Bloor Collegiate before earning an B.A. at York University. He then developed a program for drop-outs at Brockton and Eastdale, where he taught academic and shop subjects. He later ran the Guidance Department at Eastdale. Bernd was a born teacher who loved his vocation and had a great rapport with his students and staff mates. He was also very creative, excelling in painting and woodworking projects. He looked forward to summers at his cabin in Nova Scotia which he spent with Sharon and his boys. After his retirement in 1998, he and Sharon built a home on the Mersey River in Milton where they made wonderful friends. He then fulfilled a life-long dream of building cedar canoes.
Bernd will be forever loved and missed by his partner of 42 years, Sharon McKenzie, his sons Jason (Rebecca) and their daughters Alia and Ainsley, Brendan (Kieng Tan) brother Lutz (Liz) and family and his faithful Dalmatian, Cali. He is also survived by the mother of his sons Elva Walther.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. Interment will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2019 in Milton Community cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in Milton Christian Church. Reverend Russell Prime officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Queens General Hospital Foundation, Milton Christian Church or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com.Thanks to Dr. Gary Ernest and Dr. Lori Wood for their compassionate care and to our loyal friends for their kindness. “Life is not forever, Love is”
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Judi & Ken
Sharon, Jason, Brendan and families:
Sincere sympathy. Bernd will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Peggyand Richard Hatt
Dear Sharon , I am so saddened to be reading this ,although I knew Bernd had been sick for a while .I will miss his daily funny emails . .Please accept Richard and my heartfelt sympathies . Maybe the love of your family and many friends give you comfort and support to help you in the coming days ahead
Sincerely Peggy and Richard and the boys at the Garage .
Billy Joudrey
So sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing. He was a great person and friend. Our son Joey will miss him also. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Susan Lane
We are so saddened to hear that Bernd has passed. We always keep a Moosehead Lager in the fridge for him at Lane’s and will continue to do so even though he’s the only one who ever drank them. Bernd was part of the Tuesday Night Boys who came every Tuesday night after badminton.
Bernd restored our beloved Chestnut Canoe and brought a piece of our childhood back to life. We’ll forever be greatful for this.
We’ll miss you Bernd. There will never be another like you. xo
Susan Lane
Vera and Doug Munro
Sharon, Jason, Brendan and family. We are so saddened by the news of Bernd’s untimely passing. We mourn the loss of a friend of over 40 years who was generous, loyal and loving. We have some of Bernd’s creations in our home and we will cherish them always. Our deepest condolences to you Sharon and to the boys . May cherished memories of happier times sustain you now in your grief. Doug and Vera
Mary Keough and Jamie Mansfield
So sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sharon and your family at this difficult time.
Bernard and Gail Hemeon
Sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing.
We will miss the stories, the home made jam,
and tuesday ( badminton ) nights at Lanes
Our thoughts are with you.
Pat Mansfield
Sorry to read here of your loss, Sharon
George and Pat Mansfield
Beamsville, Ontario
Bonnie
Sending our most sincere condolences to Bernds family. He was a very kind,generous and sincere man and will be greatly missed by us. Sharon if you every need a helping hand do not be afraid to call. All our love and support. Charlie Doubleday and family.
R. Veinotte
Sorry for the passing of your loved one. May the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort be with his family and friends, (Acts 24:15).
Janis Muise
Sharon and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Bernd was a lovely man and I can only imagine what a loss you must be experiencing.
Take care,
Janis Muise (Brown)
Tina Foster
To Sharon, Brendan, Jason and your families it is really difficult to find words. I am so sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prays are with you always. I looked forward to his visits and stays in Ontario with my parents. It was always nice to sit and visit and catch up.
He will be missed and remembered always.
Tina, Tony, Shaelynne and Keegan. xoxo
Linda & Raymond WEntzell
Dear Sharon & family,
We were so sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing.
Please accept our deep & heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely,
Linda & Raymond Wentzell
Martin and Myles
Sharon and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Bernd was a nice man and had a very accomplished life.
Martin & Myles (Morton House Inn)
Sally Slauenwhite
Sharon, Jason, Brendon and families: Sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing. We remember him as being kind to all and loved life. You now have your memories of a partner and father to sustain you in this time of sadness. God bless you all.
Love Sally & Earle
Steven Martin
Sharon and Family
Sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing. Thoughts are with you at this time, will miss talking with Bernd about his canoes and selling him the cedar to make them
Darren Whynot & Lisa tarr
To all the family we are sorry for your loss
David and Bonnie Hatt
We are sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing.Keeping your family in our prayers.
Jean Key
Dear Sharon and family
So sorry to hear of Bernd’s passing. I remember him well when we were all so young at Brockton. My happy memories sustain you at this sad time
Joe and Shirley Leibovitch
As good friends Brendan, we know how important he was to his family. Our sincerest condolences to the whole family.
Joyce and John Bolivar
Sharon so sorry to read about Bernd thinking of you at such a sad time.
Shirley Ellis-Lauzon
Dear Sharon,
So saddened to hear of Bernd’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Shirley and Richard
Gatineau.
Charlotte McFadyen
Sharon, Brendan Jason family and friends. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Bernd. At this time reach out to family and friends and remember all your fond memories to help you through. He will be missed deeply.
Ly
Brendan,
We are so sad to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
Jason, Ly and the kids
Shirley Melanson
So sorry for your loss, Sharon.You have had good years and I hope your memories will help you get through these difficult times.Hugs
Laurier Faculty of Music Staff
Jason, Rebecca, Alia and Ainsley
Our hearts go out to you and your entire family at this difficult time.
Sending all our love!
– Laurier Faculty of Music Staff
Romelda Brown
Dear Sharon and Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. I will miss him at all the Community Dinners and his friendly smile whenever I saw him. Know that my prayers are with you at this very difficult time.
Sally Fader
Sharon & family:
My condolences to you on the loss of Bernd. Thinking of you at this very sad & difficult time.
John & Peggy Whynot
We are so sorry to hear of Bernd”s passing. We are thinking of all of you, his family, with heartfelt sympathy at this sad time.
Jennifer Garbin
Dear Sharon and family, pls know you are in my prayers. Bernd was such an amazing man…still remember Christmas days w you and I will always treasure the wooden boxes he made for me. Please know we are grieving w you from afar. Jen
Phyllis Leaman
Sharon I send my heartfelt condolences to you.I know your friends will help you at this sad time as you have helped me. You will be in my prayers and I will be thinking of you–a lot.
Liz, Lutz and family
Sharon, Jason, Rebecca, Brendan, Keing, Alia and Ainsley. Today is going to be especially hard for you all. Take strength from those around you who are also gathered with you to say goodbye. Our hearts go out to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all today.
Love
Liz, Lutz, Tina, Kevin and families.
Holly Skillman
Sharon, Jason, Rebecca , Alia and Ainsley Very sorry for your loss. I am sure he will be missed by all.
Bev & Sean Barry Powell River B.C.
Bev and Sean send our deepest sympathy to Sharon and all the family.
Marilyn J. Shanoff
Dear Sharon;
David and I have though of you continuously for the last few weeks. We were very lucky to visit you and Bernd in Nova Scotia not so long ago. We both have wonderful memories working at Brockton with you and Bernd. Hopefully, you will be travelling back to Ontario in the near future. We are thinking of you and remembering all the good times with you and Bernd. We send our sincere condolences and love.
Alastair
Sharon. I just learned from Chris about Brend’s death in January. I am so very sorry for your great loss. Brockton played a big part of our lives and then we all went on our separate ways. You east and me West.
Heather has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease so life has changed for us.
Your obituary was beautifully written. Still an English teacher.
Alastair and Heather.