Helmut Papke

Helmut was born and raised in Hannover Germany. After spending time in Sweden and travelling Europe and North Africa, the adventurous Helmut emigrated, with his brother Karlheinz, to Kitchener in 1967.

1967 was an exciting time to be in Canada. It was the Centennial year, Expo 67 was in Montreal and the Toronto Maple Leafs won their 13th Stanley Cup. As a result, Helmut was a lifelong and long-suffering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, never missing a Saturday night game on Hockey Night in Canada.

Helmut was a skilled tool and die/mold maker with a great entrepreneurial spirit. He was a cofounder of several local plastics companies including KPR Manufacturing, Polymer Technologies and Northland Manufacturing.

It is unfortunate that Helmut suffered health problems later in life and we want to thank his family physician, Dr. Derek Papastergiou and his team for their ongoing collaborative and innovative care that allowed Helmut to remain at home until the last weeks of his life.

We also want to thank the nurses on the 7th floor at St. Mary’s General Hospital and the palliative team for their compassion during Helmut’s last week. We are eternally grateful for the dignified quality of care Helmut received.

Helmut is survived by his daughters Nicole Papke (Louis) and Natalie Hicknell (Shane), his special partner Shirley Ferrier and his grandchildren Benjamin, Allison, Claire and Charlotte. He is fondly remembered by his former wife Ann.

Helmut is also survived by his sister Anneliese Greite (Wolfgang) of Isernhagen Germany and nephews and nieces all in Germany.

Helmut was predeceased by his parents Helmut and Gertrude and by his brother Karlheinz.

Cremation has taken place and at the request of Helmut there will be no funeral service.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a donation are asked to consider making a donation in Helmut's name to the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. Share condolences online at www.westmountfuneralchapel.com

“Say not in grief ‘he is no more’ but live in thankfulness that he was” Hebrew Poverb