John Schuster

1925 - 2023

John Peter Schuster passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023 at the age of 97. John is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Kathryn (nee Killian), and three children Bill (Sue), Linda, and Kathy, five grandchildren James (Christa), Paula (Nacho), Kevin (Talena), Melissa (Blake) and Rebecca (Jonathan) and seven great-grandchildren Lee, Emmett, Charlie, Alexander, Ana, Sophia, Lily and one on the way. He will be missed dearly by his sister-in-law Margaret. He is predeceased by his brother George and his parents Nicholas and Katharina Schuster. John was born on August 25, 1925 in Săcălaz, Romania. When he was 5 years old, his parents moved to Canada to look for work, leaving John in the care of his grandparents. At the age of 9 he emigrated alone to Canada, arriving at Pier 23 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then travelling to Kitchener, Ontario to join up with his parents and new baby brother, George. He married Kathryn (Katie) August 1, 1949 in a "double ring" ceremony, a rarity in those days and theirs was the first wedding reception to be held in the Schwaben Club, where he was a lifetime member. He completed Grade 9 at St. Jerome's High School then took a job as sheet metal worker at Stahl's Metal installing heating and ventilation systems. Following Stahl's, he went on to become a self-employed contractor installing eavestroughs. Once he tired of climbing ladders, he spent his remaining years at Blower-Forge and then in maintenance at the local school board. His favourite pastime was music and on evenings and weekends he was often found with an accordion. He played with Louie Wansowich then eventually took over management of the band. The Toppers were a five-piece German Polka band playing weddings, and Oktoberfest celebrations all over Ontario. At Christmas dinner, he would often pull out the accordion to play Christmas carols for the grandkids to sing along. He was also well known for his use of duct tape to fix everything, even some that shouldn't require duct tape (car sideview mirror). He loved his grandchildren and was often found attending their sports games. John and Katie enjoyed bowling and played for many years. Their house was full of trophies and awards. John enjoyed playing cards, and played regularly at the Schwaben Club, with friends and of course, with the grandchildren. John's family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. with a Memorial Service in the chapel at 3:30 p.m. Reception to follow. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Waterloo Wellington or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

Visit www.henrywalser.com for John's memorial.