Adolf (Al) Ratz

October 12, 1933 - September 15, 2017

At Hospice Wellington Guelph, Ontario on September 15, 2017 . Adolf (Al) Ratz passed away in his 84^th year.

Dearly beloved husband of Ruth Leisl Babette (nee Oberhausser) beloved father of Birgit (Eugene Cheung), Hans-Michael (Carolyn Waechter), Ingrid (Bob Chyc), Athena "Doris" Speigelberg and loved Opa of Michael, Nicole, Joshua, Brandon, Benjamin, Julia, Krista, Aimee, Nico and Anthony.

Brother and brother-in-law of the late Karl and Helen Ratz, the late Erika and late Hugo Redmann, the late Nick and Pauline Eisfeld, Ted and Debbie Ratz, the late William and Marion Ratz, Horst and Erna Oberhausser, Bernd and Erika Schuller.

Adolf Ratz was born on October 12, 1933 near Ilow, Poland. Adolf was one of 16 children born to Michael and Emma (nee Weise) Ratz. The family moved to Wissingen, Germany in 1946 and Adolf started a new life. He apprenticed as a woodworker and worked in several furniture factories in Germany. Along with his parents and siblings, the family immigrated to Canada on September 21, 1952 and settled in Toronto (Mimico). Adolf continued working as a carpenter for several companies until he started his own business Al Ratz Woodworking in 1958. He specialized in creating unique wooden molds and templates for a variety of items including the mold used to form the nose cone of the Avro Aero Airplane and Dixie cup lids. Although he could make almost anything out of wood he focused his business on manufacturing artist supplies. The stretcher pieces he produced over 50 years are still supporting many canvases in numerous museums and government buildings in Canada. His woodworking is also found in numerous churches throughout Ontario. He also made easels, sketch boxes and painters pallets. He was most proud of his works made of veneers, in-laid floors and coffered ceilings.

Adolf met Ruth Oberhausser at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Etobicoke in 1962. As members of the youth group Adolf had his eye on Ruth as soon as he met her. On her 29^th birthday he brought her a box of chocolates and flowers which must have met with her approval as just six weeks later they were engaged. On September 21, 1962, they exchanged vows in Toronto at the courthouse and again at a church ceremony in Wurzburg, Germany on October 6, 1962.

They settled in Toronto where in 1963 their first child Birgit was born. On November 1, 1964, they moved to a farm between Neustadt and Hanover, Ontario. Two weeks later their son Hans-Michael was born. The family would later be completed with the birth of their daughters Ingrid and Doris.

Al converted a barn on the farm into a woodworking shop and continued his business along with some cash crop farming. During the 53 years they lived on the farm, Al used his talents to renovate the farm house into a beautiful work of art. He enjoyed gardening and especially planting potatoes and making potatoe pancakes. They had many delicious potatoe pancake parties with many wonderful friends and family. In 2009 a fire destroyed his shop and business. Al suffered a heart attack the night of the fire and underwent quadruple by-pass surgery and miraculously made a full recovery.

In January 2016, they decided to move to Arbour Trails Retirement home to continue to enjoy their golden years. They were enjoying their new home and the many new friendships formed when Al was diagnosed with stomach cancer in August 2017.

Al was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humour. Not a day went by without him making those around him laugh. He is already dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at Arbour Trails Retirement Home Wednesday September 20, 2017 at 2:30 p.m.

Visitation at the Mighton Funeral Home, 123 - 10^th Street, Hanover Ontario on Friday September 22 from 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00pm.

Funeral Service at St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 356 9^th Street, Hanover, Ontario on Saturday September 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial service and Interment at St. John's Dixie Cemetery 737 Dundas Street E. Mississauga, Ontario on Monday September 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

It would rejoice the Ratz family if, as a token and tribute to Adolf's memory and in lieu of flowers, that donations would be made directly to St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church or Hospice Wellington or Guelph General Hospital. The family would like to thank all the people who provided so much support at Guelph General Hospital, Hospice Wellington and Arbour Trails Retirement Home.