Services & Obituaries

HART, Robert James….

At University Hospital, London, on Saturday, July 22, 2017, Robert (Bob) Hart in his 86th year. Son of the late F.G. (Fred) and Beatrice Hart. Beloved husband of Marilyn (Conibear) for 62 years. Loving father of Thomas (Kathy), Nancy (Don) Marsh and James (Jane). Proud grandfather of Patrick, Lise, Sean and Ryan and great-grandfather of Milo and Nico. Brother-in-law of Barbara Muma, and uncle of David, Kit and Paul. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, July 27, 2017 one hour prior to the service (12-1) at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the memorial service will be conducted at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Feel free to wear your favourite ball cap – Bob was seldom seen without his Blue Jays cap! In lieu of flowers, donations to Right To Play (that supports youth sports worldwide), 18 King Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1C4 or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Cole, Jack…
Passed away peacefully at the Village of Glendale Crossing, on Saturday, July 22, 2017, in his 88th year. Beloved husband of the late Lenore  (Carpenter) Cole. Loving father of John Cole,  (late) Richard  Cole and his wife Betsy and  Debbie McTaggart. Cherished grandpa of Michelle, Nicky, Sean and Melissa and great grandpa of William, Seairah and Ella. Sadly missed by his sister Mary Henry, nephew David, niece Susan and extended family.  Predeceased by his parents William and Marjorie Cole. Visitation will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 2-4pm and 7-9 pm, with a  Masonic Service under the auspices of St. John’s Lodge No. 20 A.F. & A.M. will be conducted at 7pm. Memorial service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at 9am. Interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. Donations may be made to Mocha Shrine Centre, 468 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2T3 or Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street North London, ON N6B3H8. Online condolences memories, and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Schirmer, Irene (1932-2017)

Irene passed away peacefully at home in London on Friday, July 21st surrounded by her beloved dogs and her loving sons Rainer and Roger. Predeceased by her husband Fred. Irene will be sadly missed by her family and friends.  At Irene’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Benjamin Mark Portis…
December 9, 1960 – July 20, 2017, of Toronto. Beloved by his mother, sister, brother and friends, Ben died suddenly in a car accident on Thursday evening July 20, 2017. He is survived by his mother, Mary, sister Carrie (Janet), brother Andrew (Karen) and nieces, Jennifer, Julia and Frances. He was predeceased by his father, Bernard. Ben was a graduate of Queen’s University and held graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and Bard College. He was a curator and writer on the visual arts and dance.  He had been a curator of the Art Gallery of Ontario and the MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie, and for numerous galleries and museums throughout Canada. A Celebration of Ben’s Life will take place on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Studio 105, 105 Clarence Street, London, ON at 2:00 in the afternoon.  Arrangments entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

VAN RYS, Keith….

On Sunday, July 16, 2017, at University Hospital, London, The Lord called home his child Cornelis Pieter Van Rys “Keith” at the age of 84. Loving husband of Betty for 58 years. Caring father of Nick Van Rys of Singapore, John Van Rys (April) of Dunnville, Tracy Nakonecznyj (Steven) of Aylmer and Wendy Cameron (John) of London. Proud opa to 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Brother to Truus Markus, Ada Van Arnhem (Herman) and Anne Vanderlaan (Hank). Will be missed by many extended family members. Predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. The family would like to thank the Cardiac Care Nurses on the 5th floor of University Hospital for the generous and kind support that they provided for Keith in his last days. Friends will be received by the family at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Friday, July 21, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A funeral service will be held at Talbot Street Church, 513 Talbot Street, London on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 1 pm. Interment in Woodhull Cemetery, Delaware Township. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 180-633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Feys, Marc Josef….

Passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Parkwood Institute in his 72nd year. Beloved husband of the late Diane Elizabeth Feys. Loving father of Sandy Doherty (Bob). Proud grandfather of Jessica, Stephanie and great-grandfather of Starla. Cherished brother-in-law of Lorraine Gill (John). Also missed by his nieces Lindsay, Kimberly and by all his other nieces and nephews and their families. Visitation will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London, on Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 2-4pm & 6-8pm. A funeral service will be held at St. James Westminster Anglican Church, 115 Askin Street, London on Friday, July 21, 2012 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to London Regional Cancer Program, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, ON N6C 2R6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

WALLER, David….
Suddenly with family by his side, at Victoria Hospital, London on Saturday, July 15, 2017 David Waller passed away at the age of 73. Cherished husband of Marjorie for 52 years. Devoted father of Carolynn (Ken) Jongeneelen and David (Jennifer Forshaw). Brother of
Faye Hathaway. Brother-in-law of Brian (Nancy) Logie, Gary (Liz) Logie, Carol Stark, Glenn (Anita) Logie and Joan Balonovic. Predeceased by father Frank and mother Helen, his sister Fern Seed, father-in-law Allan and mother-in-law Joan Logie and brother-in-law’s Ted Seed, Eugene Hathaway and Allan Logie. Proud uncle of many nieces and nephews. David was a long-standing member and coordinator of the annual garage sale at St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church. He was an instructor with the Canadian Power and Sale Squadron. David spent 50 happy summers with family and friends in Honey Harbour on Georgian Bay teaching boating and fishing and building wonderful memories. David will be fondly remembered every Halloween as having one of the most festive houses in London. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 3:00 pm at St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church, 727 Southdale Road East, London ON N6E 1A9. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory may be made to St. Stephen’s Memorial Anglican Church. Arrangements entrusted with A. Millard George Funeral Home, 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

SZANYI, LEWIS (LAJOS) FRANK, …
Our hearts are sad to share the news of our father’s passing on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the age of 78. Lewis (Lajos) was the father of five children; Sheila (Jon), Lewis Jr., Joe (Cathy), Rick (Sherry), Liz (Larry) and Grandfather to 8 Grandchildren; Shannon, Anna (deceased), Derek, Willy, Telsi, Nicole, Sydney and Shawn and Step Grandfather to Dan (Amanda) and Robin (Kevin). He was predeceased by three siblings; Maria, Josef and Elizabeth. Many nieces and nephews will miss “Uncle Lou”.

Special thanks to the Dearness Home staff on the 4th floor Pine Grove West for their personal care and support.

Visitation will be held Friday July 21, 2017 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at A. Millard George Funeral Home on 60 Ridout Street South, London, ON N6C 3X1.  A funeral service for Lewis will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. Private family interment to follow

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross, 1401 Ernest Avenue, London, ON N6E 2P6. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Ode to Papa Lew

July 25 1938 – July 15 2017

Born in 1938, Budapest Hungary, Dad shared a life of post war poverty and hardship with his parents Maria and Josef, siblings Josef (Jr), Elizabeth and half-sister Maria. As a young man, he trained as a butcher and a cabinet maker, before joining close friends to escape communist Hungary in 1956.

As a young man, he endured a time when Hungarians were frustrated and humiliated by an authoritarian regime. Economic mismanagement by the communist party played out in shortages and rationing of basic food sources, and severe employment limitations that diminished disposable income and quality of life. By November 1956, influenced by student protests, thousands of Hungarians had fled Budapest by foot or bicycle, choosing perilous routes to avoid capture and imprisonment.

Meeting over regular poker games, Dad and his friends revelled in lively debates about seeking asylum with the more than 60,000 refugees previously welcomed by Austria.

Eventually, a loose plan was devised and he departed with his close friend Charles by bicycle. Their hope was take a train from one of the western cities, to a station close to the Austrian border. Travelling across the countryside they met others along the way, also in pursuit of the Austrian border.

Not long into their journey, they accepted a ride, storing their bikes on the back of a truck. However, their luck ran out just before reaching Sárvár. The truck was stopped and they were captured by Russian and Hungarian soldiers, forcing them at gun point to lay in a ditch facing a field. With machine guns pointed at their backs, the militia escorted them to a police station in Sárvár. They were young men, 18 years of age, far from home and family, lacking adequate economic resources with no idea what was to come next. However, luck revisited when they were released later that evening. Fearing for their lives, they considered returning to Budapest the next morning.

Later that evening, they met a man who encouraged them to continue their escape, providing them with information about the train they needed. Following a good night’s sleep in Sárvár, they set out on their bicycles once again the next morning. Later that day, they met a farmer in a field who took them in and fed them. Leaving their bikes with the farmer, he transported them to the train where they met up with others from the police station. They remained with these people, travelling with them for the rest of their journey. 

During the last leg, what was left of their money went to Gypsies who helped them find their way closer to the border. From Austria, they continued by train to Germany and Belgium, where they were brought by boat to England. Just outside of London, they stayed in a refugee camp until they could obtain passage to Ireland.

Through the efforts of the Red Cross, they were dispersed to Canada, where they were documented and asked to choose a settlement destination. Starting in Montreal, Dad went onto Seaforth, where by chance he met our Mother Ruby at a local dance. Eventually he joined her in Stratford where they married in 1962. Over the next eight years, he celebrated the births of his five cherished children, who were born in various cities as our family moved to Kitchener, London, Denfield, and Huron Park. Our last move in 1970, was back to London, where he purchased his first home on Harding Crescent.

He was a hard worker who took great pride in his work, passing on a strong work ethic to all of his children.  As a talented drywall finisher, he was sought by top builders to finish the drywall of many expensive homes in London, Belmont and surrounding areas. Divorced in 1979, Dad never remarried, remaining in our family home for 42 years. Suffering from a massive stroke in 1996, his strength to survive was tested once again, retiring him at age 57. Although he never worked again, he successfully regained functional use of his left arm, going on to drive, shop and cook for himself for many years.

Dad loved his children first and life second. Passionate about music, he collected many heritage musical instruments over the years.  He loved to garden, cook, and entertain – often sharing a laugh from his large repertoire of jokes, which for the most part were somewhat off-colour. He made friends everywhere he went, investing largely in model airplanes, hunting, fly and ice fishing, snowmobiling and wine-making with those friends closest to him. All of his closest friends became the family he had left behind. Then, there were the hockey games with his boys and grandsons on the ice, regular Friday night London Knights games, and his lifelong support of the Montreal Canadiens – a true die-hard Habs fan to the end. As long-time member of the London Cycling Club, he later became known as an endearing fan and steadfast volunteer who manned the gate for many years at the London Velodrome.

Being a Hungarian, however poor and miserable the memory may have been at times, was important to Dad. He recounted his memories as a boy fondly, regardless of any hardship associated with the turn of events. Loyal to the end, he never lost sight of his heritage, welcoming the opportunity to return and revisit his birthplace later in life. As a proud Canadian of Hungarian descent, he spoke with great pride of his country of origin, retaining the ability to speak Hungarian right up until the end of his life.

At the age of 78, with one of his treasured sons by his side, he left us on the morning of July 15^th, 2017, to rest peacefully at last. He will be forever remembered by all of his children, grandchildren, friends, extended family members, and the community at large, as a kind and generous man who was loyal,  loving and proud. We love you Pops!!!! Salute! and ciao, until we see you again.

Shapter, Lois….
Lois passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Long Term Care on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 in her 95th year. She leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Carol Venn, Donald Cumming, Elizabeth Crawford, Jean Cumming and Timothy Cumming. Fondly remembered by her good friends Carol and Roy Menary, Helen and Weldon Westlake, Georgina Goarley and Audrey Hatchard. A Graveside service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 1pm (meet at cemetery office at 12:45pm). Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Pleiter (Andison), Thelma….

Peacefully at her Kingston nursing home on Tuesday, July 11, Thelma Pleiter in her 92nd year. Predeceased by her beloved husband Derk Pleiter in 2011. Dear mother of Michael Pleiter of Calgary; Shelley Pleiter and her husband Carl Kovach of Kingston; and Philip Pleiter of Gatineau, Quebec. Beloved by her grandchildren Raeanne Pleiter (Rick Hoare) and Jessica (Jonathan) Beentjes of Ottawa and great-grandchildren Theodore and Jade Beentjes and Ramona Hoare. Dear sister of Ruby Dilts and Isabelle Channer and a dear aunt of many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sisters: Gertie Agar, Alice Wilkinson, Helen Smith, Irene Greason, Marjorie Taliana, Verna Thornton, Ruth Dutton, Margaret Thornton; and brothers: Willy, Clint, Ken. Thelma was a registered nurse (Victoria Hospital, Class of 1948), working first in London and later in Ottawa. She had a deeply felt social conscience, and was a dedicated volunteer at numerous non-profit organizations, notably the Ottawa and London Distress Centres, and an active member in several United Church congregations. Cremation has taken place. Friends will be received by the family on Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 2-4pm at the A. MILLARD GEORGE FUNERAL HOME, 60 Ridout Street South, London.  The funeral service will be conducted on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 11am at First-St. Andrew’s United Church, 350 Queens Avenue, London. Internment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Donations may be made to the Gibson Family Health Care Charitable Foundation, 343 Amherst Road, Amherstview, ON K7N1X3. Online condolences,memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com