It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rudiger von Massow (91) after a short illness and many years of advancing dementia. He is survived by his son Michael (Sheryl Howe), daughter Caroline (Greg) Ziegler, sister Ulrike, grandsons Marcus and Zachary, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife of almost 60 years Maria Elisabeth, his brother Bodo, and his sister Wendy. He came to Canada with little other than the clothes on his back, doing farm labour around southwestern Ontario. When his brother found work in the steel mills in Hamilton, he followed and worked nights while getting his Canadian high school diploma and then his BSc at McMaster. Rudi was one of two graduates in the first class for Metallurgy at McMaster. He built a career that took him from Lac St Jean, Quebec, through Kingston, Ontario to Pinawa, Manitoba with a growing family. He loved the community of Pinawa and embraced canoeing and camping with vigour. We remember many amazing canoe trips on the Manigatogan and in the Whiteshell. He was active in the cross-country ski club and worked to cut and maintain trails. At 73 he was fastest male over 60 in the 30th anniversary Manitoba Loppet on the trail he helped cut and maintain. The Loppet was a race for which he served as a volunteer while he lived in Pinawa. Rudi was a kind and gentle soul. He found good in everyone. He greatly appreciated the opportunity he’d been given when he moved to Canada as a young man, and he worked hard to pay it forward. He spent many years volunteering with the John Howard Society visiting those that were incarcerated and helping parolees adjust to life outside. He broke rules and gave them money which once led to him being robbed at knife point when the parolee didn’t think he’d given enough. Despite that he continued to work with those that needed support and kept his unwavering optimistic outlook. In retirement, he and Maria loved their cottage at Victoria Beach with a huge vegetable garden, endless flower beds, and nearby wild blueberries to pick and fill the freezer. They especially loved to entertain, with their grandsons being among the favourite guests. In later years they moved to Fergus to be close to their grandsons. In his last few years, he was slowed by dementia but maintained his joy for life and his love of the outdoors. He kept up his daily walks, often for an hour or more and greeting all he encountered with a smile, up until a week before he died. We are thankful for the compassionate care he had at Chartwell Elmira and at Emma’s Neighborhood at Riverside Glen in Guelph. We are also grateful for the love and commitment of Kathy Cunningham and Kathy McGirr who spent so much time with him walking and puzzling. His life was enriched by such amazing people. Rest in Peace Dad. We miss you. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate gifts to the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
www.grahamgiddyfh.com