Thomas "Tom" Arthur Goettler

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Goettler on February 2, 2024, at 70 years.

Beloved husband to Dorothy for 45 years. Loving father to Nathanial. Dear brother to Pauline Hartfiel (Herb), Jo-Ann Wickware (Greg) and Steve Goettler (Vivi). Cherished brother in law to Herman and Connie Webers, Anton and Anne Donkers, Pat and Henri Letson, Oda and Dale Blackburn. Predeceased by his parents George and Ally Goettler. Will be missed by all nieces, nephews and extended family.

Our greatest challenge is often our greatest teacher.

Tom’s life was shaped by two powerful themes: family and advocacy. He was born to a faith filled Irish-Catholic family in Dublin ON, and developed epilepsy before the age of 2. Tom’s parents worked tirelessly to meet his health needs and courageously to support full participation in the community at a time when many with his condition were placed in institutions. By the time he met Dorothy, at the University of Guelph in 1975, he had become a man with a deep passion for social justice, for personal development. That passion emerged through animated, sometimes angry critiques of social structures and norms are exclusive and oppressive. “People over things” was a guiding motto for him. It impacted how he witness the true value of family and community.

Upon graduation he worked serving those on the margins; street youth worker and researcher, group- home worker, caregiver for elderly and disabled persons. When this type of work was unavailable to him, which was often given stigma and barriers such as Driver’s license, Tom worked at what he could, including obtaining a certificate in Journalism and working for small local papers in Southern Alberta and BC.

Tom’s hope for social change and his passion for people fuelled persistence, determination and courage. After surgery for Epilepsy in 1985 he and Dorothy returned to Ontario. A few years later, he returned to education to obtain a Master’s in Social Work (WLU). After another major health crisis, he continued into a PhD candidate Oise at the University of Toronto) in Sociology focused on Disability Issues.

In each decade of his life, epilepsy dealt Tom a life threatening blow. Each time he recovered with new visions and dreams and set about pursuing them. He took risks, faced rejection but always found and engaged people and communities to support the new direction. One such community was the one associated with Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph. It was instrumental in helping him reconcile his early Catholic roots with his adult focus on social justice, spirituality and community, leading him to a 20+ year membership in Christian Life Communities and return to full participation in the Church. He came to see this as a place to which he had been led.

In his 50’s Tom embraced another important chapter when he and Dorothy adopted Nathanial at age 2. Tom devoted himself to his role as a “stay at home dad” nurturing and guiding Nathanial, supporting Dorothy in her career, engaging children and adults around his home on Emma St. Nathanial was and continued to be a huge source of joy and pride for Tom. Throughout his life Tom was recognized as the person who spoke to everyone around him, seeing their humanity and value whatever the outward appearance engaging with humour, warmth and care.

In the end, epilepsy took his life but thankfully in a peaceful manner. With gratitude for his sharing his life with us, he will be deeply missed by the family and community he loved so much.

Resting at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son, Dublin Chapel, 252 Dublin St. N. Guelph, where the family invites friends and relatives for a visitation on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. A Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St. Guelph, on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 10:30am. Reception will take place at the church hall followed by interment at Marymount Catholic Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, L’Arche International, or a charity of one’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be made online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com