RODNEY ALLAN SHANTZ

(March 4, 1934 - February 17, 2026) Rod passed away peacefully, at the Teddington Retirement Residence in Toronto. He was predeceased by Marilyn, his wife and best friend of nearly 70 years. Their loving relationship began in Toronto at Northern Secondary School, where they met and fell in love as teenagers. Father of Mark (Ann) and Tracy (Eric); grandfather to Abby, Daniel (Rosemary), Robert, Matthew (Libby), and Emily; and great-grandfather to Myles. Rod had three siblings and is survived by his youngest brother, Allan. Rod was a dedicated family man with a gregarious and kind personality. His love of sailing began as a teenager in Muskoka, after which he bought and sailed a small boat on Balsam Lake, and eventually two larger boats which he and Marilyn sailed out of Ashbridge's Bay Yacht Club in Toronto. They spent countless summers sailing and exploring Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands. Rod had a long and successful career in the oil industry, starting with Cities Service, then BP, eventually leading to a senior assignment at the London head office. He continued with Petro Canada, finishing his career in Calgary where he and Marilyn embraced the outdoor western lifestyle, including a never-too-late entrée into alpine skiing. After retirement, Rod and Marilyn moved back to Toronto to be closer to family. Rod volunteered for many years on the board of Kinark Child and Family Services, enthusiastically renovated their Scarborough home, and taught his grandchildren how to maintain perfect chemistry of a backyard pool. We will miss him, and we will miss his stories (yes, even the ones we've heard a few times!) Cremation has taken place; a celebration of life will be held at a later date.