Gerhard Wilhelm Kohnen

Gerhard was a dreamer, a storyteller, a philosopher, a lover of song and choir, and an artist who embodied the proverb: “The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.”

A loving husband, proud father, loyal son, brother, and Opa, Gerhard was born on May 19, 1935, in St. Tönis, Germany. The fourth of five children and the third son of Gerhard and Anna Kohnen (Franken), he grew up on the family farm, learning to listen to the land and to use it to bring futures and dreams to life.

In 1962, he married the love of his life, Katharina Gleumes, and together they worked tirelessly to bring those dreams into being.

Not content to remain in Germany and heeding the pull of promise in a different land, Gerhard—along with Katharina, six months pregnant, and their three young sons under the age of five—followed his older brother to Canada in 1968. They first settled in Quebec and, four years later, moved to King City, which would remain their home for the rest of his life.

In 1979, Gerhard and Katharina moved onto an old farmstead on the outskirts of King City, where Gerhard set about bringing his vision to life. Unwilling to sever his ties to the soil, and with absolute certainty in the outcome, he established a garden centre in the middle of a cornfield—seemingly in the middle of nowhere—fully confident that this jewel in the rough would succeed. His family takes enormous pride in the legacy that became Black

Forest Garden Centre

Gerhard’s touch was everywhere: from the stone entrance he built with fieldstones gathered from the fence line, to the whimsical structures that dotted the landscape—the blue sheep, the walking labyrinth, the secret garden, and forest trails that went nowhere and yet everywhere.

One of Gerhard’s greatest gifts was his ability to connect with just about anyone, anywhere, on any subject. With homespun logic, disarming wit, life experience, humour, and endless anecdotes, he offered insight—and often a bit of advice. He touched many lives with his warmth, creativity, curiosity, and charm. People often came to the Forest just to talk. Strangers became customers, customers became friends, and friends became family.

His life was a testament to his unshakeable faith in God, in family, and in the core belief that gave him purpose every day: that life without hope is hopeless.

At heart, Gerhard was a storyteller who believed that the stories we tell are the ties that bind us—connecting the fabric of past, present, and future.

We need only look around to see his story.

And one more thing: he did manage to sit under the shade of some of those trees, even if only for a little while. For that, we are forever grateful.

Gerhard leaves behind Katharina, his beloved partner in life and wife of 63 years; his sons John, Karl (Dan), George (Maria), and Andrew (Sherry); his granddaughters Meaghan, Daniela, and Martina; his brother Willi of St. Tönis, Germany; and many nieces and nephews, all of whom will forever cherish his memory.

A visitation will be held at Thompson Funeral Home, located at 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 6W8, on January 21, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at Sacred Heart Parish, 14485 Jane St, King City, Ontario, L7B 1A3, on January 22, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Following the service, a reception will be held at the same location in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doane House Hospice, 17100 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario, L3Y 8V3. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.doanehospice.org/support-DHH.