Obituary for Franz Josef Hummel
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Franz Josef Hummel (Joe), on April 8th, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Adored husband of Rosemarie, cherished dad of Eberhard (Fiona), Barbara (Roberto), Bernadette (Robert), Thomas (Melissa), and beloved Opa to Riley, Chantal, Karsen, Eric, Max, Charlotte, Alex, Sebastian, and Theodore.
Treasured sibling of Albert (Rita), Elisabeth (decd) (Horst), Siegbert (Helene), Gebhard (Annelies), Reinhold (decd) (Erika), Gero and Marita (decd) in Germany. Favourite brother-in-law to Hans-Georg (Helen).
Our father was our rock. His presence gave us confidence, he made us feel safe and cared for always. He exemplified a Christian life by always putting others before his own needs. He was dedicated to his family, generous with his love and always had a smile on his face.
Born in Germany in 1937, WW2 marked Joe's early years. At the age of 8, he and his 7 siblings became orphans. His mother died in childbirth, and his father died shortly after from complications of a bullet wound sustained in WW1.
After the death of his parents, Joe and his brothers’ helped to keep the family construction business going. There was never a shortage of hard work. He was raised by his aunts (Dote and Dete) and uncles.
At age 14 he started an apprenticeship to become a Master Mechanic with Boehringer. He supported his family financially until he married. In his free time, he enjoyed hiking, boy-scouts, and was part of a brotherhood of Trades People called the Kolping Family. This Catholic Organization put together vacations, a choir and other community events. Joe was also a volunteer fire-fighter in Reichenbach.
He met Rosemarie at a New Year’s party in 1967. They started dating and quickly knew they wanted to be together. Joe visited Rosemarie on weekends in Unterjettingen. Before the year was over, his employer wanted to send him to Canada and needed an answer quickly. Although he had plans to marry Rosemarie the following summer, he sent her a telegram asking if she was willing to move to Canada. She agreed to go, and they were married on January 5, 1968. Joe moved to Canada first, settling in Scarborough and Rosemarie joined him two months later. Although the transfer was initially temporary, they loved their community in Canada and decided to stay.
Joe had a long career working for UBJ setting up Lathe Machines. He traveled extensively in the US and Canada. He even set up one at the Science Centre, a Lathe that was used to mold Coca-Cola pop bottles. Joe was known for being able to take apart any machine and fix it. He was always helping neighbours and friends to fix washing machines, lawn-mowers, and sharing his world-famous German Potato Salad.
Joe loved singing and was dedicated to the Catholic Church. They were long-time members of St. Rose Choir in Scarborough and this became their community. He was also close to his cousin Rita and husband Hans, who he worked with at UBJ.
Rosemarie and Joe doted on their 4 kids and 9 grandkids. He loved taking his kids for boat rides at their cottage and sometimes they tagged along during his business trips. Joe instilled a strong work ethic in his family and loved his kids unconditionally, even when his youngest dropped the transmission of the car, or had to remove candle wax from the drainpipe after a craft project gone wrong.
Joe retired at age 55, after some health problems. He decided it was time to have fun with Rosemarie and they traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Bolivia, Alaska, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, USA and Germany.
We will miss his strong presence and caring smile.
Thank you to all involved in his care including his longtime PSW Susie, Lighthouse, CCAC, Taunton Mills and Lakeridge Hospital.
If desired, donations can be made to Joe's favorite charity, Friends of the Orphans Canada, www.FOTOCAN.org.
The funeral will be held at St. Rose of Lima, 3216 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1H 1A4 on Saturday. April 13, at 10 a.m.
Directly after, a reception will be held at Bluffers Restaurant & Event Centre, 7 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, On M1M 3W3 (All are Wheelchair accessible)
Treasured sibling of Albert (Rita), Elisabeth (decd) (Horst), Siegbert (Helene), Gebhard (Annelies), Reinhold (decd) (Erika), Gero and Marita (decd) in Germany. Favourite brother-in-law to Hans-Georg (Helen).
Our father was our rock. His presence gave us confidence, he made us feel safe and cared for always. He exemplified a Christian life by always putting others before his own needs. He was dedicated to his family, generous with his love and always had a smile on his face.
Born in Germany in 1937, WW2 marked Joe's early years. At the age of 8, he and his 7 siblings became orphans. His mother died in childbirth, and his father died shortly after from complications of a bullet wound sustained in WW1.
After the death of his parents, Joe and his brothers’ helped to keep the family construction business going. There was never a shortage of hard work. He was raised by his aunts (Dote and Dete) and uncles.
At age 14 he started an apprenticeship to become a Master Mechanic with Boehringer. He supported his family financially until he married. In his free time, he enjoyed hiking, boy-scouts, and was part of a brotherhood of Trades People called the Kolping Family. This Catholic Organization put together vacations, a choir and other community events. Joe was also a volunteer fire-fighter in Reichenbach.
He met Rosemarie at a New Year’s party in 1967. They started dating and quickly knew they wanted to be together. Joe visited Rosemarie on weekends in Unterjettingen. Before the year was over, his employer wanted to send him to Canada and needed an answer quickly. Although he had plans to marry Rosemarie the following summer, he sent her a telegram asking if she was willing to move to Canada. She agreed to go, and they were married on January 5, 1968. Joe moved to Canada first, settling in Scarborough and Rosemarie joined him two months later. Although the transfer was initially temporary, they loved their community in Canada and decided to stay.
Joe had a long career working for UBJ setting up Lathe Machines. He traveled extensively in the US and Canada. He even set up one at the Science Centre, a Lathe that was used to mold Coca-Cola pop bottles. Joe was known for being able to take apart any machine and fix it. He was always helping neighbours and friends to fix washing machines, lawn-mowers, and sharing his world-famous German Potato Salad.
Joe loved singing and was dedicated to the Catholic Church. They were long-time members of St. Rose Choir in Scarborough and this became their community. He was also close to his cousin Rita and husband Hans, who he worked with at UBJ.
Rosemarie and Joe doted on their 4 kids and 9 grandkids. He loved taking his kids for boat rides at their cottage and sometimes they tagged along during his business trips. Joe instilled a strong work ethic in his family and loved his kids unconditionally, even when his youngest dropped the transmission of the car, or had to remove candle wax from the drainpipe after a craft project gone wrong.
Joe retired at age 55, after some health problems. He decided it was time to have fun with Rosemarie and they traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Bolivia, Alaska, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, USA and Germany.
We will miss his strong presence and caring smile.
Thank you to all involved in his care including his longtime PSW Susie, Lighthouse, CCAC, Taunton Mills and Lakeridge Hospital.
If desired, donations can be made to Joe's favorite charity, Friends of the Orphans Canada, www.FOTOCAN.org.
The funeral will be held at St. Rose of Lima, 3216 Lawrence Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1H 1A4 on Saturday. April 13, at 10 a.m.
Directly after, a reception will be held at Bluffers Restaurant & Event Centre, 7 Brimley Rd, Scarborough, On M1M 3W3 (All are Wheelchair accessible)