As many people mentioned, Opa was a very generous man. I’ll always remember when the Toonie was first introduced. Opa thought it was great. He headed to the bank right away and stocked up. Then anytime we visited, full of excitement, he’d give us each one!


His 96-year-long life was marked by fascinating experiences and if you sat down next to him he had amazing stories to share. He understood better than most his place in history and could connect his lived experience to historical events. A chat about the weather could quickly turn into an in depth conversation about his family history, the origin of the German and English languages, the unique features of other cultures/languages, the history of VW’s, the strength of the Euro, Napoleon’s conquests, the Great Depression, and much more! His recollection of specific dates in his own family history and world history put Google to shame!

I inherited my colour blindness from him so I like to think I’ll continue to see the world through his eyes in a way...

When I move the wrong chess piece or have to ask a passenger whether the streetlight  ahead of me is red (yes, I recall him asking me this as a child and I’m now concerned I wasn’t much help!), I will remember him.

When I meet someone from a different area of the world who speaks a different language and take the time to learn their story and share my own, I will remember him.

When I take a nap outside on any given porch, I will remember him.

When the noise of a large gathering gets to me and I decide to wander away to get some peace and quiet, I will remember him.

If I ever end up in dentures, I will remember him. (He inspired my speech in grade 6 on dentures... and now I make dentures!)

Lastly - if I make it to 96 and age with grace and love towards those dearest to me with my faith in the Lord strong as ever, I will remember him.


We used to go over to visit Oma and Opa and Oma would make a delicious supper and we'd sit and eat and talk when our mouths weren't too full of delicious food. After these meals Opa would often speak of the past, of the buildings he had built, of the land that he bought and sold, of the time he walked across Europe from Italy back home to Germany following the end of World War 2. 
Then we would clean up and Opa would get up and walk, if his great grand children were there he would put them on his walker so he could push them around the apartment, smiling and laughing the whole way. Otherwise he would walk around the pool, or later in life up and down the hallway. He was immensely proud of his physical fitness and worked hard to stay strong and healthy throughout his life. 
It was an honour to know him, and he will be dearly missed.

Symon and Leah Mazereeuw

With 5 children + their spouses, 16 grandchildren + their spouses, and 6 great-grandchildren, there were always a lot of people around, but Opa always had a smile for you and would greet you with a firm handshake and a "Hiya!" I was very touched that he remembered me even as his memory started to go, always asking about "Anna in Vancouver."

You could tell he was proud of his large family, expressed in little ways, like the small wooden figures he made for each of his grandchildren, proudly displayed in a wooden frame in the dining room. And even though there were so many of us, he still managed to show his love for us individually, like the gigantic doll house he built for me and my sister when we were little, and the countless baptisms, first communions & graduations he attended over the years.

He was a wonderful, generous, and loving Opa and I'm so grateful for the time we had with him. His enduring loving & committed relationship with Oma was a testament and example to us all. The attached photo is from their 60th wedding anniversary, surrounded by a small portion of their many grandchildren. Just one of many moments of celebration in a long life well-lived.

Ich liebe dich, Opa. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten. 

I remember one Sinday morning coming in to church I said Ernst, how are you today. He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said "there's always room for improvement" I have been using that line for years now.   

I remember fondly going to the Ex (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto with Opa and Oma when I was growing up.

OBITUARY

Ernst Sommerfeld

18 November, 1923 – 2 June, 2020

Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre

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