Hermann Waxl

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Hermann Waxl announces his passing on his birthday, at the age of 92 in Orillia. His wife Nancy was by his side. On this day, his son Gordon (Kathy), grandsons Jordan (Sadie) and Jason from Marten River, and his step-children Alison (Sarah), Janice (John), Kyle and Derek, Andrew, and Graham (Gillian) and Paislie (Raylea) came to visit and were able to say goodbye.

Left to remember him is his daughter Diane (Ray Wagg) from Nova Scotia, and their children Charlotte (John Potter) Mitchell (Monika) and Haley (Carl Boisvert), son Peter (Ulla), Jonas, (Lucas) in Germany. Proud Great Grandfather of Kathryne, Ellis, Owen, Gabi, Ollie, Mitchell, and Nicholas, nephew Manfred Siedel (Barbel) and dear friend Sam Springer (Rosi). Cousin Christa Hecht (Gerhart), Franz and Christian Hecht, predeceased by cousin Hedwig Ruhland, and parents Peter and Therese Waxl.

Hermann was born in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany. His dream was to come to Canada to start a new life after the turmoil of the war years. Arriving in 1953, he started “doorknob polishing” to find a job, learned the language, finally accepted a linesman position at Mimico PUC. He came to Muskoka in 1957, built a log cabin by hand, and loved it so much he made Muskoka his permanent home in 1969. His first job was at Brooks Furniture and Appliances in Bracebridge, then Wiik and Hoegland Pipe Plant, and then Kimberly-Clark head of Electrical Maintenance Department until his retirement in 1995.

After retiring, Nancy and Hermann bought a farm and enjoyed the life of haying, raising cattle, chickens and turkeys, 2 pet goats and a pig. In 2016, he wrote two short books, Life in Germany, and Life in Canada. He was an avid reader of history and at age 90 he took up woodworking, crafting lanterns, bowls, and anything that was challenging. He remembered his mother saying, “whatever you shout into the forest, that is the way the echo comes back”. He was also a proud member of Unity Masonic Lodge, and Strong Lodge, where he had many friends. He was always curious and loved a challenge.

There’s an old saying “Time Flies”, but Hermann would say, “Time is always here, but we have a heavier foot on the pedal.”

A celebration of life will be held at Trinity United Church, September 24 at 2:00 pm. A Masonic Lodge service will precede celebration of life.

There will be a memory box available to drop in your favourite memory of Hermann. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Diabetes Association. Diabetes Canada, 522 University Ave, Suite 1300, Toronto, On M5G 2R5……..with their return address for acknowledgement.