Obituary of Walter Georg Witt

Walter Georg Witt

May 24,1928-January 17, 2021

It is with great sadness that the family of Walter Witt announces his passing at age 92, to be with his Lord. Walter is predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Ursel Anna (Roller) in 2000. Leaving behind his son Harold (Silvia) Witt and daughter Eleanor (Ray) Lyall (predeceased by son-in-law Norbert Wieschollek in 2004). Walter was blessed with four grandchildren, Jessica (Jayson) Duggan, Tonya Wieschollek, Joshua Witt, Gabriele Wieschollek Brown (Andrew) Brown. Also great grandfather (opa Walter) to eight great grandchildren, Cameron and Samuel Branton, Conner and Madelynn Witt, Elijah, Lorelei and Sascha Brown and Benjamin Duggan.

Walter Georg Witt was born into the family of August and Alma (Draber) on May 24, 1928 in Zyrardow, Poland, near Warsaw. He was the youngest of six children and is predeceased by siblings, Gerti, Friedel, Willi, Gerhard and Elisabeth. Leaving behind Kurt Gramsch, his brother-in-law (husband of sister Elisabeth) who was like a brother to him. Having shared many trips and adventures together.

Walter accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, was baptized in Germany and lived his life serving God however he could. He was an active church member wherever he called home. From the German Baptist Church, in Zyrardow, Poland to the German Mission Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Central Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Immanuel Baptist Church, St Catharines and Greenbelt Baptist Church in Ottawa. Walter always had the desire to serve, singing in various choirs, both mixed or men’s or as a Church Trustee, helping and hands on with maintenance, building or renovation projects. Opa could fix anything! Blessed with that gift he often helped neighbours, other church members and of course his children and grandchildren.

Walter finished his Electrical-Mechanical apprenticeship in Germany and worked as an electrician prior to immigrating to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1951. Here he first worked as a Journeyman Steelworker and foreman on numerous projects in various provinces for Dominion Bronze before going back to the electrical field.

Winnipeg is where he met and married, Ursel Anna Roller in 1954. There they welcomed a son, Harold in 1955 and daughter, Eleanor in 1958. In 1962, Walter moved his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he eventually started his own electrical contracting business. In 1972 he moved his family once again, this time to St Catharines Ontario to be involved in expanding International Furniture Importers.

Retiring from the furniture business at 49 years young, he joined the “honey do club” and tackled many house/yard projects with his wife, Ursel. Eventually going back to work as an electrician for some time before his final retirement, when he enjoyed years of puttering and building in his garage.

In 2006 Walter moved again, this time by himself to his daughter, Eleanor in Ottawa, where he lived for nine years. In 2015 Walter moved back to St Catharines to the Edelweiss Apartments at Heidehof. In 2018, just after his 90th birthday, Walter went to what is now Niagara Long Term Care.

Special thanks to the staff and caregivers at the Edelweiss Apartments, Heidehof as well as to the 3rd floor, Riverview staff at Niagara Long Term Care for the excellent care and compassion shown to Walter during his stay there, especially during his final days.

A private funeral will be held for immediate family only, taking place at Tallman Funeral Home followed by Interment at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill.

Walter will be remembered and sorely missed by those that knew him best.His family takes great consolation in the knowledge that he is in the presence of his Lord and reunited with his love, Ursel, in heaven.

2 Timothy 4:7-8a “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness”