Albert Sonntag

Albert was born on July 16, 1936 to Walter and Edith Sonntag in Stettin, Germany (Poland). During the final days of WWII, his father was able to gather the family and join the refugee convoy moving to the west. They eventually settled in Essen, Germany, where Albert grew up with his brothers Uwe Rudolf (Rudy) and Michael. Although it was a tumultuous time in history, Albert recants a pleasant childhood.

Albert trained as a culinary chef, graduating at the age of 18. After completing a three-year apprenticeship in Germany, he and his older brother Rudy made the brave decision to leave post-war Europe in search of new opportunities in the west. Landing by ship in Montreal in 1957, they continued westward by train. Along the way they were told of jobs and opportunity in a place called Edmonton…and his fate was sealed.

In Edmonton, Albert and Rudy stayed in a boarding house run by Ray and Elaine Allison, who soon became their guides to Canadian life. It was here that Albert met Angela Wormell, a nurse from England who had also recently arrived in Canada. They were married in 1960, and their love story would span 65 years.

Making home in St. Albert, they would have three children, Robert, Christopher and Jillian (Geen).

Albert quickly advanced in his culinary career, becoming the managing head chef at the University Hospital in Edmonton. He also played a key role in developing new food service systems for the hospital’s expansion.

For the family’s first real vacation it was suggested they check out the Okanagan Valley. Albert and Angela fell in love with the area and in 1974 they purchased the Woods Lake Inn Restaurant and moved to Winfield.

Outside of work, Albert had a wide range of interests including tennis, golf, cross-country skiing, curling, swimming and canoeing. He was dedicated to giving back to the community and helping others. Albert served as president of the Winfield Lions Club for many years and was involved in a number of community charity projects throughout the 70’s and 80’s. These events often took place at the Winfield Easter Seal Camp.

Albert finished his career in 1996 as head cook at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. In his retirement, he faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with remarkable courage, battling the illness with strength and resilience for nearly two decades.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the nurses and care aids at Mission Creek Landing long-term care home for the compassionate and loving care provided during Albert’s three-year stay with them. Their professional and personal attention to Albert made a significant difference in his quality of life.

Albert was predeceased by his son Robert in 1975 and daughter Jillian in 2011.

He is survived by his loving wife Angela, son Chris (Lisa), brother Rudy (Ave), grandchildren Makena, Theodore, Benjamin and Robin, son-in-law Kevin, brother-in-law Chris (Sheila), niece Catherine (Mac) and, great nephew Guy.

Albert’s kind and quiet presence will be missed by all who knew him.

As a remembrance, donations can be made to Parkinson Canada (https://www.parkinson.ca/).