1927 – 2021. Ewald passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 with several family members at his side, and others who had to say their goodbyes from a distance during his final days. He is now rejoined with his beloved bride and lifelong partner, Emma (2018). He will be lovingly and forever remembered by his children, their spouses and partners: Eugene (Beverly), Anna, Ewald (Traci), Patricia (Ken), Barbara Wright, and daughter-in-law Birgit; by grandchildren, spouses and partners: Alex (Katie), Cassandra (Trevor) and Dayna (Dave); Matthew, Jaime and Maria; Zachary (Christina) and Sabrina (Adam), and six wonderful great-grandchildren: Parker, Abigail, Hailey, Elena, Owen and Michaela. Ewald was predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters, but will be greatly missed by the many nieces, nephews and their families residing in Germany and elsewhere in the world. As well, there are many people whom Ewald considered part of an informal, extended, global family and who will miss his good cheer and friendship. Ewald lived a long and adventuresome life, and throughout he brightened many lives and touched many hearts. It is a somewhat remarkable biography for a boy born in Abersloh, Germany, who came of age during the last days of World War II, and who had few prospects as the youngest of five in a farming family. Through a local connection, Ewald was sponsored by a farmer in Belwood, Ontario, and thus arrived in Canada, June 18, 1951, on the historic cargo ship the Beaverbrae II, followed a year later by his bride-to-be Emma. Ewald worked on different farms in Wellington County, milking cows, tending pigs, even taking on work in the tobacco fields to earn extra cash. In 1957, he took over managing his own dairy herd in then-rural Malton, Ontario. In 1963, Ewald & Emma fulfilled their dreams and bought their own dairy farm in East Garafraxa. He was an early adopter of innovation and technology, and when a fire tragically destroyed the milking barn in 1965, he rebuilt their operation with a radical new free-stall pole barn, considered almost scandalous at the time. Ewald was also a natural networker, and became involved in farm support organizations at both the local and provincial levels. He was passionate about promoting agriculture, and was active for many years on the Grand Valley Agricultural Society, the United Co-Operatives of Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). In the early 1980’s, Ewald retired from his daily farming chores and, through his many connections, began a new career as volunteer agricultural consultant. He supported the work of the OFA’s Agri-Skills Abroad. With the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), he travelled to countries such as Bangladesh and Barbados and in Eastern Europe. In 1984, Ewald and Emma both volunteered for 2 years in Mexico on a farm owned by Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH), a charitable organization providing homes for orphaned children in Latin American countries and which strives to be self-sustaining by growing their own food. He served as a Director, then President, of Friends of the Orphans Canada to raise funds for NPH, while serving as the on-site farm advisor on properties in Honduras, Haiti, Bolivia, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Throughout his lifetime, Ewald lived life fully and with gratitude for the many friendships he made in the process. He received many awards and accolades for his leadership, activism, and volunteer work, but Ewald would always say he was gaining more than he was giving, and simply enjoying life. The family would like to express its appreciation to the Grand Valley Medical Clinic and Bayshore Home Care for support during Ewald’s final days. Cremation has taken place, and at a later date, a Celebration of Life will be held. We are also appreciative of the many condolences already received. If desired, as expression of condolences, Ewald requested consideration of a donation be made to Friends of the Orphans Canada (www.fotocan.ca) in his memory. A tree will be planted in memory of Ewald in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The next annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:30pm. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
