Horst Joseph Beck

12/14/2020

Passed away at Grand River Hospital on December 14th, 2020, at the age of 80. Born March 23rd 1940 in St. Gilgen Austria and moved to Canada in 1951. He will be fondly missed by Sylvia Anderson, his long-term partner of nearly 30 years, his son Gary Beck and grandson Daniel Beck, his daughter Sasha Einwechter (Todd) and his step son Joshua Tousignant.

Predeceased by his wife Bonnie Clark, his daughter Laura Beck and his brother Markus Tesic.
Graduate of Laurentian University in 1964, then University of Toronto in 1986. Horst was a beloved chemistry teacher, student council advisor, Olympics of the Mind coach and sports coach at Algonquin Secondary School, West Ferris Secondary School and Northern Secondary School over his 33-year career in education. One of his proudest teaching moments was achieving a 17th place worldwide in Olympics of the Mind with the Northern Secondary School team in their 1st year of competition.

An avid gardener, scheming prankster, skilled woodworker, square dancer, and traveler. Horst will be remembered for his generosity. Horst lit up every room he entered and never missed an opportunity to make a new friend.

As expression of sympathy, donations can be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Horst's obituary notice on Facebook.

28 Comments

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Hélène Chain

12/16/2020 12:53:06 pm

Dear Family, We will miss Horst's good humour and pranks, and especially his great generosity to us at all times. He will remain in our hearts as in yours. Wishing you our sincere and heartfelt condolences.
Soyez en paix car vous l'avez aimé et accompagné ces derniers mois avec vos grands coeurs.

Doug and Marianne Einwechter

12/16/2020 03:38:04 pm

Dear Sylvia and family
Horst was such a wonderful ,kind and gentle man who will be missed by all who had the privilidge of knowing him. We were honoured to know him and cherish the times we had with him. May he rest in peace and peace be with you.

Tina Antosch

12/17/2020 12:15:31 pm

Dear Sylvia and family,

we are so sad to hear that Uncle Horsti passed away. We always were so proud to have uncles in Canada. I want to express my condolences from the bottom of my heart.
Lots of love for you in this difficult and sad time.

Tina and family (daughter of Erika, Horst sister in Austria)

Fred & Lynne Mepham

12/17/2020 01:44:58 pm

We've known Horst for many years and one of his qualities we most admire was his ability to organize. Horst & Sylvia made quite a team at our dances. Sylvia organized the kitchen and Horst organized the dance. Between them everything ran smoothly.
His sense of humour was also much appreciated. we shared many laughs together. We will miss that.
Sylvia you were so brave during his illness but you can have a good cry now. Yours won't be the only tears shed. Fred & Lynne

Stephen hamilton

12/17/2020 03:08:22 pm

Condolences Gary and family. Thankful for our days when your Dad coached our Hockey team. We have lost a few teachers from WFSS this year. Hopefully they are all having a toast to the schools 50th anniversary.

Lynda Burtch (Bertrand)

12/17/2020 03:56:55 pm

So sorry to hear this. Horst was an absolute please to have worked with at Northern Secondary. Hugs sent to Sylvia and family

Tammy Rogerson

12/17/2020 04:03:32 pm

To the family of Mr Beck.
Mr Beck was one of my favourite teachers at WFSS (class of '81 and '82). He made chemistry fun and even though I remember nothing he taught me, I do remember how he encouraged me and how made me feel. Funny story: I remember him asking the class in grade 11 (1979) how old we thought he was (he obviously was 40) and I spoke out, "50!". He was horrified! He never let me forget that and even signed a throw back picture of himself in my yearbook as, "This was me when I was 50." I became a teacher and have often thought I was very lucky to have such wonderful teachers in highschool. He was one of the best. My sincere condolences for your loss.

Robynn & James McKenna

12/17/2020 04:37:36 pm

Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time Sylvia. Sending you virtual hugs. xo.

Wendy (DeMarco) Oxley

12/17/2020 05:01:11 pm

Dear Sylvia & family - I am so sorry for your loss. You two were such a perfect pair & I’m glad you had so many years of happiness together. Horst was a lovely, talented man who could light up a room. He made the world a better place.

olive ridler

12/17/2020 06:35:35 pm

Sylvia,
My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Horst was a wonderful teacher and a kind thoughtful person. I know that you will miss his companionship and his humour.
My deepest condolences.

Susan Bell nee Foisy

12/17/2020 06:45:07 pm

Dear family of Mr Beck. I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts snd prayers are with you all at this time. Mr. Beck was one of my teachers and he made a great intact on my life. He was fun and made you want to go to go to class to see what would happen next. Borrowed some stuff from him in grade 13 (1982) to pull some pranks His words. You didn't get this from me. Lol

Lil Horne

12/17/2020 10:05:49 pm

Pickleball will never feel as fun without you there Horst. You always inspired me to dig deeper and try my best!

Mark Lyons

12/17/2020 10:23:50 pm

Sorry to hear Mr Beck passed away.Many moons ago playing hockey with and against Gary he was always a coach or manager.Loved a good story and a laugh.I moved in near by I would stop in for a quick visit and a laugh.The laugh always came to his picture of Moe.
So sad to hear he passed
All the best Gary
Mark Lyons
North Bay

Rajiv Meenakshi Bhargava

12/17/2020 10:42:48 pm

Dear Sylvia and family
Horst was a man full of life, humour and courage, He will be remembered forever . The time spent with you both is a treasure for us.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences .He will be truely missed by us.May his soul rest in peace.

Heather McLeod (Clark)

12/18/2020 01:19:13 am

So sorry for your loss Sylvia and family. I had so much fun working with Horst. He will be missed. Sending love to all.

Gerti Gruber

12/18/2020 05:43:21 am

Liebe Sylvia und Familie,

wir sind von tiefer Trauer erfasst zu hören das Horst verstorben ist. Wir umarmen dich von ferne. Wir waren glücklich einen Onkel in Kanada zu haben. Wir hoffen du und die Familie finden Trost,der unsere Trauer überwindet.
Umarmung und vie Segen in dieser schweren Zeit
Gerti und Familie

Shannon Brown

12/18/2020 12:18:26 pm

So sorry for your loss. I remember Mr Beck well from when Laura and I would have sleepovers. Even when I lost touch with Laura in high school, I would still see Mr Beck, he always had a kind word, he was a very caring man and was a very dedicated teacher

Veronica Kerr and Staff at Bullas Travel link

12/18/2020 12:53:33 pm

We just learned of Horst's passing and wish to forward our deepest sympathy to Sylvia and the family

Jennifer Brown Ustianov

12/18/2020 01:13:39 pm

So sorry to hear of the passing of a great teacher and a great person. Chemistry was never the dull in his class. Christmas shows at WFSS were a Hugh highlight. For this of us who didn’t really like rules, he made us feel part of a great group and remembered with a good chuckle. Fond memories all these years later. (1976).

Linda Ricker

12/18/2020 05:45:02 pm

Deep condolences to Sylvia, Sasha, Gary and Daniel. Horst was a true friend, loyal and supportive, kind and caring. He will be missed. by all whose lives he touched.

The Ricker Family

Rolie and Pat

12/18/2020 04:43:20 pm

Sympathy to you and your family.
Horst will be missed at pickleball. Many good memories with him.

Marc Courchesne

12/18/2020 05:34:09 pm

So sorry to hear of Horst passing. Our sincere condolences to Sylvia and family. We always enjoyed our times together with Horst and Sylvia and the good times we had together. He was a joker for sure and made us laugh often. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to complete a woodworking project with Horst at the military base woodworking shop. I quickly found out that he was highly skilled in wood working and paid attention to even the small details. I learned a lot from him.
We will miss him.

Good friends
Marc and Claudette Courchesne
North Bay Ontario

Annette Ferris

12/20/2020 08:31:55 am

Sylvia and Beck Family
So sorry for your loss..Horst was a colleague @ WFSS for many years.
He could instill in his students the Love and Interest inScience like no other..My sincere condolences to all of you..Annette Ferris

Cheryl Gould

12/20/2020 11:58:15 am

Sylvia, Gary, Sasha and extended family
My deepest condolences to you. I worked with Horst for years at WFSS. He was a gifted teacher who encouraged students to excel. He contributed to the student's school experience, and to the community, always with a smile, a joke and positive enthusiasm. He will be missed.

Sylvia Anderson

12/21/2020 01:19:14 pm

I would like to thank you on behalf of myself & my family for all the expression of sympathy & condolences for the loss of my loving partner Horst. Horst was very much loved & appreciated by all. The common theme throughout the memories cherished by family & friends is that Horst was a generous, kind & humorous person. He definitely left his imprint on all those (family, friends, students, co-workers, hockey & basketball players) that came into his life. I will miss him dearly since we were constantly doing things together. He was my best friend & my soul mate.
Sylvia

Logan and Brenda

12/23/2020 08:26:25 am

Our heart felt sympathies go out to Sylvia and family. We will always remember Horst's passion on the pickleball court, his sense of humor and his love of cycling, especially trying to keep up with Sylvia. May Horst rest in peace.

Laurent Paquette

12/30/2020 05:59:25 pm

Sylvia & family,

On behalf of the Stars family (formerly Braves) we wish to extend our sincerest condolences. Mr. Beck was both my teacher and colleague and was one of the reasons I became a teacher. I will never forget him rhyming off the top 5 marks after each test or quiz. He pushed us to become better students and made chemistry interesting. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Laurent Paquette
Principal, Northern Secondary School

orv lawrence

1/24/2021 12:15:50 pm

I just learned of Horst's death. Horst was always a good friend and an honest and supportive colleague. He was a good teacher and a good person. I feel a sense of real loss knowing he is gone. I am sorry for the great loss to his family.

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