March 4, 1950 – November 25, 2020
 
Joe had numerous and various jobs during his working career. He was an active member of The Gay Media Collective that produced a radio program and a newsletter in the 1980’s. He learned the printing process early in his career and worked at Dumont Press Graphics, where he picked up numerous skills.

He is survived by a brother, John (Cecile) Szalai of Hamilton and a sister, Eve (Rich) Gillies of Hamilton. A brother Tibor (Ted) predeceased him in 1989.  Joe will be missed by his life partner/husband of 44 years, Wayne Bell of Kitchener. Warren, Wayne’s twin brother, will miss all the great times we had traveling together. He will be remembered by his nephews, nieces and his social and internet friends.

He was an avid reader and gardener.  He loved the great outdoors and cooking for friends and family.   

​Messages and condolences may be left for family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237.

 
Margaret Sharon Elaine Kolopack (nee McKee) was born in Millbank Ontario on March 16th 1944 and died at Hospice Wellington on November 20th 2020 after a year long struggle with leukemia. 
 
Sharon is the cherished spouse and best friend of Peter Kolopack. Married for more than 53 years, they are forever grateful for the life they built together and for being able to make so many of their dreams come true.  Peter considers taking the chance to ask Sharon on a date as the best decision he ever made.  She will always be his “Sojo”. 
 
She is the deeply loved mom of Pamela and Andrew Kolopack—who know they are so blessed to have had her as their mom, and mother-in-law of Andrew’s wife Luanne Jamieson.  Sharon will always be one of their greatest inspirations.  
 
Sharon is fondly remembered by her sister Pat Jarvis and her husband Bill Jarvis by her in-laws Evelyn McKee, Ed Kolopack, Helen and Nat Battersby, Carol and Ivan Kragelj, and Monique Neubert, and by her many nieces and nephews.  She is pre-deceased by her parents Helen and James McKee, by her brother James McKee, by her sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and Carl Daniels, and by Steve Neubert.  
 
Over the years, Sharon, together with Peter, took great pleasure in spending time with family and friends in Waterloo Region—including many years of Friday night dinners, and spending their summers in Honey Harbour, and more recently in Port Severn, where they enjoyed getting together with friends, soaking in the scenery—including countless sunsets at Victoria Harbour, and relishing their time on and near the water.
 
She will be remembered for her wonderful laugh, her generous and kind ways, and her down to earth approach to life. 
 
She would encourage us all to enjoy every moment. 
 
Sharon and her family would like to express their gratitude to Drs. MacEachern, Leonard, and Chu, to nurse practitioners Corina, and Yulia, and to the nurses on the 6th floor oncology unit at Grand River Hospital, and to the nurses at Hospice Wellington, for the care they provided.
A Celebration of Life will be held when it is safe for us to gather together—hopefully in the spring when the snow has melted—which could never come soon enough for Sharon, when the birds have started to sing—which she always looked forward to, and when the grass has begun to turn green – which was her favourite colour.   
 
In lieu of flowers, Sharon requested donations be made to Hospice Wellington in Guelph Ontario: www.hospicewellington.org.

​Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237.
 

Jenifer, who preferred to be called “Jeny” by her friends and family passed away in the early morning hours of November 16th, 2020 at Cambridge Memorial Hospital where she worked for 26 years.
 
Jeny was born in Accrington, England on July 17th, 1944 to Foster and Margaret Wood.
 
Jeny is survived by Alan Heyes, her loving and devoted husband of 56 years.  She is also survived by her two sons, Mark Lynden Heyes and Neil Alan Heyes as well as her daughters-in-law Kimberley Clark and Tina Tarrant.
 
While Jeny worked at Cambridge Memorial Hospital she also worked inside her home where her primary concern was her children, grand-children and the well-being of those around her. Jeny knew everyone and everyone knew and loved her.
 
She is survived by her grandchildren, Aidan Heyes and Megan Heyes and by her two step grandchildren, Bradley Follows and sadly, Brock Follows who died in 2013.
 
Aside from her husband, children and grandchildren she is survived by her brother John Wood and two sisters, Barbara Ramsbottom and Kathleen Astley.
 
Anyone that knew Jeny knew she loved and adored animals.  She was grandma to her “fur” grandkids Kingston, Charlie, Ricki and Jules.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Cambridge Humane Society in the name of Jenifer Heyes. 

Please visit Jenifer's obituary notice on Facebook.

 67 of Kitchener, passed away Friday November 6th, 2020, peacefully in his family home of thirty plus years. 
 
He was born January 18th, 1953 to Percy and Margaret Bresseau of Pembroke, Ontario. He married Barbara Joanne Giesler, they had two daughters, Pamela and Sherri.
 
Jim is survived by his wife, two daughters, four grandchildren, Amilynn, Shanice Amber Lee, Tyler James, and Anthony Rudy Gerald. Jim had one great-grandchild born to Amilynn, who is his first grandchild, Ozwald born in 2020.
 
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; In-laws; two sisters; many friends and relatives. 
 
Jim and Barb moved to Kitchener from Pembroke as teens to start there; now in their 50th year of marriage. Jim and Barb worked 37 & 36 years respectfully, at Electrohome / Fasco, both retiring a few years ago. Jim loved computers, gadgets and recently picked up pool/billiards at the local Legion (Gage / Belmont) where he was a member. Jim had an extensive Amazon account; he was a VIP member. 
 
Jim’s wish was to have a private immediate family gathering; which will occur in the coming days.  Donations may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as expressions of sympathy.
 
James (Jim) Ronald Bresseau will be forever missed and never forgotten; he will live on in his family and many memories.
 
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or call 519.772.1237. Please visit Jim's obituary notice on Facebook.

Passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, November 2 after a ten year struggle with pulmonary fibrosis, at the age of 81.
 
Lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Doris (Snowdon) Dummer. Devoted father to three children; Mike (Debbie), Joanne (Doug) and Kirk (Lisa-Marie) and five grandchildren; Matthew (Karina), Megan, Jack, Lauren and Katie. Survived by his sisters; Marian and Joyce. Predeceased by his parents Ada and Douglas Dummer and his brothers Jack and Bob.
 
Cremation has taken place and a private family gathering will be held at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Lung Association would be appreciated. Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or by calling 519.267.7199.

Peacefully, in her sleep on Monday, November 2, 2020, at Freeport Hospital, Edna Reid Hilton. Edna is survived by her 2 sons, James (Jim) of Chipman, NB and Gordon (Gord) of Kitchener.  She is also survived by her sisters Marion and Elaine (Gary), her brother Gord (Lexie) and many nieces and nephews.  Edna is predeceased by her husband, Howard, sisters Gladys,  Charlotte and Margie and brothers Bert, Donny, Lloyd, Larry and Bob.  

Edna was one of 12 children born to Fred and Lottie Reid of North Sydney, Nova Scotia.  After moving to Montreal, Edna met Howard and they were married in January 1952. Edna and Howard lived in Montreal until 1972, when they moved to Brantford. After Howard's passing in 1977, Edna moved to Kitchener to be closer to her sister Margie and her family. Edna was famous for her fudge (her niece Maureen's co-workers dubbed her “The Fudge Lady"). Edna was a keen cribbage and Scrabble competitor, as well as an excellent cook and baker and many great meals were shared over the years. Edna loved cats, going to the casino and scratch tickets (she was a frequent winner, often winning large jackpots). Edna enjoyed going to the KW Seniors Group at Sunnyside for many years where she made many good friends and lovely ceramic décor items. 

In honour of Edna's wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society. A special thanks to Dr. Rodney Bruce for his compassionate care over the years, as well as Fatima and all the nurses at Freeport Palliative Care Unit and all the LHIN caregivers.

Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519-772-1237. Please visit Edna's obituary notice on Facebook.                  
                     

1944 - 2020
 
Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital on Sunday November 1st, 2020, formerly of 409 Mill Street Kitchener, Gerald Schmitt, age 76.
 
Lovingly remembered by his sister Marlene Snider of Elmira.  Uncle of Steven Snider and wife Brenda and Dale Snider and wife Kelly. 
 
The memorial burial service to celebrate Gerald’s life of love and service to his family and God and others will be held privately at First Mennonite Church.
 
Donations may be made to Grand River Hospital Foundation as expressions of sympathy.
 
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Gerald's obituary on Facebook.

 1953 - 2020
 
Passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family at Freeport Palliative Care in Kitchener, Ontario on Tuesday October 27, 2020 at the age of 67 years.
 
Dear Sister, we will miss you but we know that you will not be far, for those we love  don’t go away they walk beside us, unseen, unheard, but always near. Rest In Peace Patricia, our dear Sister. Leaving behind her son Alexander Steeves, brothers Robert, Denis, Gilbert Maltais and her sisters Jacqueline and Denise Maltais.  
 
Cremation has taken place and a private family gathering will be held at a later date.   Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237.  Please visit Patricia's obituary notice on Facebook.

 (August 16, 1946 – October 26, 2020)
 
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Bob Bieniarz, on Monday, October 26th.  He passed away at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, in Guelph, after an unexpectedly short battle with Cancer.
​
Words rarely seem adequate to express our sorrow of a wonderful person, like Bob, but we were recently comforted by a quote, shared with us from a dear friend, by A. Foley:

“The passing of a good friend, like the felling of a great pine, leaves a vacant space against the sky.”

Bob will be remembered as a writer and poet.  He was always there to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it and was keen to strike up a conversation with anyone, but you had to keep up with his quick-wit and dry sense of humour.  He was not defined by what he did for a living, but always loved what he chose to do and often found great reflection in his hobbies, writing and fishing.  While Bob had many jobs throughout his life, he most enjoyed the time he spent as a keeper at the Toronto Zoo.  This is also where he met the love of his life, Mary.

For over 40 years, Bob has been the loving husband to Mary Hamilton, and supportive and caring father to stepsons Gary (Carrie), of Guelph, and Brian, of Ottawa.  He is predeceased by his father, Alfred Bieniarz, but left to mourn, with fond memories is his mother, Julianna Urban, and the families of his brother, Gary Bieniarz with sister-in-law, Grace Elliott, his Aunt Diane, and his Aunt Wanda, all of Toronto.
​
Shortly before his passing, Bob shared one of his written pieces with us, which we agree provides a perfect reflective tone, to help us through this difficult time:

“There is a sanctuary to which I shall return, either in this life or the next. It displays no parallels of latitude or longitude, no harbour or anchored jetty, nor port of call. Navigation cannot mark its location on any map. A pink coral reef surrounds its shores where palm trees sway in rhythm to the salty ocean breezes. Passports are not required and Island music is the decree. There is a white sandy beach and thatched roof bar perched on the edge of a turquoise sea, where you can find an empty bar stool and someone with a story to tell.”
 
Written years ago, Bob always knew that he would, one day, be seeking an empty bar stool, ready to tell a story.

Memories of him will last in our hearts forever.
​
Fulfilling Bob’s wishes, cremation has already taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be announced.  As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made, in Bob’s memory, to your local animal rescue centre. Please visit Bob's obituary notice on Facebook.

Passed away peacefully after a brief illness, on Monday, October 26th 2020 at Innisfree House in Kitchener, Ontario at the age of 83
 
Father of Cheryl (Al) McEwan, Donette (Al) Kolpean, Jim (Jackie) Mercer, and Jason Mercer.  Grandfather of Tristan (Jessica), Spencer, Hunter, Nicole (Patrick), Shane (Carly), Joshua (Kayla), and James.  Great-grandfather of Hazel, Dexter, Claire, Colton, Cayge, Jude, Paisley, and Jett,
 
Jim is also survived by his sister, Joan LeGrand, and the mother of his children, Denise Mercer.
 
Predeceased by his beloved wife Lorna Bernard, father James Waddell Mercer, mother Helen Shaw Mercer, brother Alexander, and sisters Helen and Barb.
 
Born in 1937, and raised in Galt, Ontario, Dad worked at IBM for 35 years, retiring in 1992 on
the family farm near Sheffield.  Never one to put his feet up for long, Dad kept busy gardening in the greenhouse, raising turkeys and peacocks, and breeding his beloved Shetland Cattle, and also working at Settlers Farm Supplies, in Sheffield. Dad truly loved hunting season. Those annual expeditions for deer, moose, and ducks with his friends and family were legend.  Dad or Grandpa Mercer as he was known, was proud of his children and grandchildren, and was just getting to know the next generation of great-grand kids.   He will be dearly missed.
 
The family is so grateful for the tender care Dad received from the staff at Innisfree House.
 
Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering will be held at a later date.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations to Innisfree House-Hospice would be appreciated by the family. Each donor will receive a tax receipt and a thank you letter will be sent to the family of the deceased. Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.267.7199.  Please visit Jim's obituary notice on Facebook.