Wilfred Gregory Tschirhart (PhD):
September 2, 1921 – September 20, 2017

Died at his home in St. Agatha. Survived by his brother-in-law Earl Querin and many loved nieces and nephews. Father of Christopher of Markdale, and Mary Jane Baulk of St. Agatha. Loving Grandfather to Jessica Mendes (Phil), and Rebecca Baulk (Jesse Brideau). Predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth (nee Sheridan) of 46 years. Predeceased by his parents, William and Margarethe (nee Huck), brothers, Roy (Marie), Walter (Dolly), Carl (Grace), Joe, and his sister, Rita.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario and grew up on a farm at Haysville, Ontario during the Great Depression. Having to leave school after grade 10 to help support his family in the 1930’s to become a carpenter; he always longed to return to school. Wilf served in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Engineers, service and works company, in WWII, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. After the war, he spent his early career in the construction industry, in building design as works Forman for N. O. Heipel of Preston. Wilf achieved a structural Engineering certificate.
He was the designer and construction foreman in the building of many hockey arenas throughout Ontario, which are still standing, including Waterloo, Ayr, Godrich, East York, Burlington, South Porcupine, Gore Bay, Little Current, Providence Bay, and Mindemoya. It was while overseeing the construction of the East York Arena that he met his wife Elizabeth, the love of his life, while attending a concert at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. Married in Toronto, they lived in the house he built for his family on Hidden Valley Road, which he expanded as the family grew; a wonderful place for our family to live and grow up. He worked as a Sr. Mechanical Draftsman at Canadian Blower and Forge in Kitchener for over 30 years.
Wilf volunteered as a teaching assistant at St. Agatha Catholic School and as a care giver at Freeport Hospital.
Always a believer in education in all its forms both practical and informal throughout his life, he fulfilled his dream of higher education after retirement by attending Wilfrid Laurier University, where he was adopted by the students in all his classes. He was conferred a Bachelor of Arts 1993, Honours Bachelor of Arts 1999, Master of Arts 2002 and Doctorate of Arts 2009, all in the field of Environmental Studies and Geography. At age 88 he was the third oldest person to achieve a Doctorate from an accredited University.

Special thanks to the support workers, and his wonderful neighbours who looked out for him in recent years. Your kindness and caring will always be remembered.

Wilfred's family will receive relatives and friends from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Sunday, September 24th, 2017 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. A Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Agatha R.C. Church, 1839 Notre Dame Rd. St Agatha, on Monday, September 25th, 2017 at 11:00 am. Interment at St. Agatha Catholic Cemetery. Reception to follow in the church hall.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Wilfrid Laurier University - Elizabeth Tschirhart Award would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Wilfred's memorial.