Christian "Chris" Engberg

Passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Heights Retirement Home on Thursday May 25th, 2023 at the age of 87 years. Dearly beloved husband of Martha for 63 years. Loving father to Kim Sosinsky (David), and Alan (Dale). Cherished Grandad of Evan, Noah, and Brooklyn; and Emily. Survived by his brother Gerald (late Denise) and pre-deceased by his siblings Phillip (Florence) and Carol Edwards (late Elgin). Dear son of the late Nils and Lucy Engberg. His memory will be cherished by friends and family alike.

As a youngster growing up in Timmins, Chris was passionate about hockey. His love for the sport was not without risk as he played goaltender prior to the introduction of modern padding and face protection! He often played hooky from school to hone his skills on the ice. He even jumped out of his bedroom window one morning in an attempt to sneak out to meet friends for a game! Instead, he ended up at the doctor’s office with a broken ankle and angry parents!! Chris won many awards and, at the age of 19, was playing Junior A hockey for the Hamilton Red Wings – the farm team for the Detroit Red Wings. Unfortunately, his NHL ambitions were cut short by a puck to the head, leading to a skull fracture and one too many concussions.

Although Chris did not have a formal university education, he put himself through an electrical apprenticeship and became an electrician. He moved his young family from Timmins to Oshawa in 1964 to work at Lake Ontario Steel Company (LASCO) in Whitby. Chris rose to the rank of plant superintendent where he oversaw all maintenance at LASCO and, after 27 years, he retired in 1991. Chris was highly respected for his work ethic and technical ability. It is said that he knew every piece of electrical equipment in that facility and was often called on in the middle of the night to walk an engineer through a critical repair, over the telephone, all from memory.

Chris was a loving husband to Martha. They just celebrated their 63rd anniversary on May 7th, 2023! He was also a fantastic father to Kim and Alan. He supported Kim with her passions in piano, voice and horseback riding and Alan with his own hockey ambitions. Saturday evenings were spent watching the Maple Leafs play on TV while drinking hot chocolate and eating peanut butter on toast. He taught his children how to ride bikes, drive cars and, more importantly, he and Martha provided them with cherished childhood memories, a solid education and instilled in them lifelong values in a loving and secure household.

In retirement Chris kept busy with home renovations and maintenance - he was extremely handy and there wasn’t a project that he couldn’t master. He also became an avid curler and golfer. Chris and Martha spent many winters in Florida enjoying long morning walks, soaking up the rays and regularly hosting family and friends.

In addition to hockey, golf and curling (basically all sports), Chris or “Grandad” loved his grandchildren. Winters in Florida shifted to Texas when Emily was born in 1998, then expanded to trips to Indiana when Evan was born in 2001, followed soon after by twins Brooke and Noah in 2002. He was proud to share his love for hockey with his grandsons and enjoyed hearing about their games and his granddaughters’ prowess in lacrosse and figure skating. And he took great satisfaction in “schooling” his son in snooker and both his son and son-in-law Dave in Euchre. He later did the same in card games with his Grandchildren. Somehow, he always managed to defy the odds with the game winning Ace of Hearts!

You are loved by all Grandad and will be deeply missed!!!

Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME 847 King St. W., on Thursday June 22nd, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the People Catholic Church on Friday June 23rd, 2023 at 11:00 am. Entombment to follow in the Niche at Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum.

Donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation. Online condolences and memories may be placed at www.oshawafuneralhome.com