Fred and Mary Schifferdecker
Fred Wilhelm Schifferdecker Feb. 5, 1931 – May 22, 2022
Mary Elizabeth Schifferdecker Mar 22, 1942 – April 20, 2020
Friederich “Fred” Schifferdecker, passed away peacefully on May 22nd in his 91st year. He is predeceased by his cherished wife, Mary, on April 20, 2020. They were pillars of a blended family that is left with a hole that cannot be filled. They were both very active in the community, known and respected by many.
Fred is also predeceased by his younger brother Karl Heinz, sister Juliane (Mathias)Kaltz, his second wife Margarete (née Kuhlemann) and his parents Wilhelm Friederich and Emma Ottilie (née Mueller). Fred or “Fritz” as family called him, leaves behind a blended family from three marriages. Lyn and Glenn (Annie) Schifferdecker (daughter Jamie). Angelika (Hermann) Mayr (daughter Ingrid), and his step-children and grand-children from his marriage to Mary. Also mourning are niece/nephews: Albert (Angelika) Kaltz (son Adam (Diane) and children Evelyn and Erik); Ulrich, Harold (Caroline), Relle and Guido.
Born in Zieverich, Germany, Friederich immigrated to Canada in 1954. He began his life and career in Montreal, marrying Helen and having two children Lyn and Glenn. An electrician by trade, Fred enjoyed many successful years as a partner in a business he was proud of, with partners he remained friends with until he died. He married again in the late sixties to Margarete and gained a step-daughter. They moved to Markham in the late seventies and then moved to Huntsville in 1986 after purchasing the Towne House Motel on King William Street (now the Rodeway Inn). Sadly, Margarete died a week after they moved to Huntsville and Fred had to run the motel alone. In 1988, he was blessed to marry one last time, and his already blended family gained a real gem with Mary. Fred was fortunate to have his family increase some more with two more step-children. Fred and Mary ran the motel together for almost a decade, then built an apartment building they rented to seniors until they finally retired and enjoyed travelling together. Fred and Mary were active members of the community, long time members of Trinity United Church, familiar faces at Tim Hortons and friends to many. When family would call a business in Huntsville to have flowers sent or to get a gift card, it was never a surprise when the person on the other end said “oh I know Fred and Mary, I just saw them last week!”
Fred lived a full and long life. He played golf at Huntsville Downs up until last summer. He was still driving, still living in his home and still tending to his enviable garden. He took online French lessons, enjoyed Sudoku challenges, was an avid reader, especially of history and enjoyed watching golf tournaments. We will always remember his generosity, his care for others and his love of retelling history.
We lost Mary too soon. Mary (née Millican, previous marriage von Bitter) was born in Campbellton N.B. Predeceased by her younger brother James (Marilyn) and her parents Robert Millican and Myrtle (née McNeish). Her loss is endured by her two children from her first marriage Rae Anne von Bitter (daughter Tatiana Gordon) and Robert (Melanie) von Bitter (daughters Claire and Emily) and her step-children and grand-children from her second marriage to Fred. Also mourning are cherished nieces/nephew Lisa Millican (Raymond) Rioux (children Justin, Lynae and Aiden), Warren (Shona) Millican (daughter Kate) and Jennifer (John) Kennedy (children Sara and Josephine).
A fiercely independent, intelligent and devoted lady who cared deeply for many and managed to stay in touch with everyone she met. Mary had a passion for genealogy, enjoyed travelling, loved reading and took her civic duties and responsibility to this planet very seriously. She never stopped learning, and her love for words filled numerous journals with her favourite quotes, phrases, scriptures and ideas. Family and friends were blessed to find letters and cards in the mail from her throughout the year. She was always generous, always thinking of others, always checking in and always ready to listen and share advice.
Together they were fantastic role models and leaders of our family. We will never stop missing them and feeling like we’re a little lost without them.
A private celebration of life will be held for both Mary and Fred on July 10, 2022 at 2pm at the Huntsville Downs Golf and Country Club. If you wish to attend, please RSVP at 705-787-0054 by July 1st as capacity is limited.