Olaf Dohrendorf

You were lucky to be born into a loving family, in Hamburg, Germany, of parents Erica Peters and Walter Dohrendorf, surrounded by sister Gudrun, brothers (Late Peter (Sigrid) and late Gunnar (Liesel)) Volker (Christel), Torsten (Brigitte) and Michael (Elisabeth), who have maintained their love and their support for each other always...right up today.

Michael and Elisabeth, thank you for your amazing support in the last weeks. I know you loved your supportive daughter-in-law, Sonia Lapierre, and would want to thank her for her love and support as well. Sonia, you are Eric's rock. Thank you to Monsieur and Madame Lapierre also.

You were exceptional in your love of nature and constantly sought being surrounded by it. Today would have been a perfect day, which would have seen you cross country skiing in Morin Heights with friends. You once told me that a beautiful day for you would be kayaking across the centre of a lake, surrounded by greenery, which you could get close enough to investigate. I know you had memorable weekends with your special friends Richard Lamothe, Etienne and Gabriel, up at St-Donat or at the Western Festival in St-Tite. I smile just thinking of the stories you came back with. Your adventures in the Tundra with Marco, Dieter, Jerry and Sigi are recorded for us to watch with wonder.

Your feat at competing in the Canadian Ski Marathon for 44 consecutive years, earning your own permanent bib number (2002), is a true reflection of your strength and perseverance. Your hilarious preparations and ritual the night before the start of the marathon with Henry Andres (have photos as proof) still have me giggling! Competing with longstanding friends Marianna Weiss, Jayne and Kornel Wolters, Dorothea Bartel, to name a few, brought you many friends worldwide along the way. What pride you felt when Sue Quarrels illustrated the commemorative book on the marathon, in which you were honored.

You surrounded yourself with so many beautiful and diverse friendships. You always held Yvan and Maria Kovac in a special place in your heart. Johanna and Dieter Schulze have been true friends and part your La Minerve family.

Oly, for me you gave me respect, love and humour in my life, the level of which I treasured with all my heart...this strengthened us to handle any situation that we lived together.

You and Chantal, the beautiful and caring mother of Eric and Nathalie (Schnathalie as you called her), together created two kind and accomplished souls who have always given us happiness, humour and support. Although Chantal did not deserve to leave at such a young age, she blessed your children with a wonderful start in life....forever remembered with pride and love.

We were also blessed to become grand-parents to the light of our lives, our precious grandchildren, Theo and Chloé. You were lucky to witness their infancy through to high school years. You beamed with pride to be their Opa and were loved to the moon and back by them.

You are my partner, friend and true love always.

We love you Olaf Dohrendorf, the fine, quirky and loving gentle man that you remain

Katy,

Your loving wife,

The family will accepted condoleances at the celebration of life

On January 6, from 11h00 to 12h30