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Winfried Rapatz Obituary
It is with great sadness we announce the passing Winfried (Willie) Rapatz on Sunday, February 26, 2023 after a brief period in palliative care in Saanich Peninsula Hospital. He was predeceased by Margaret (Marg), his wife of 63 years.
Willie was born in Pörtschach am Wörthersee on July 30, 1933, the youngest of 8 children. He immigrated to Canada in 1952, settling in Victoria where he met and married Marg in 1956. Soon after arriving Willie began his career with the Canadian Hydrographic Service as a seaman on the Canadian Survey Ship (CSS) William J. Stewart and was quickly promoted to surveyor and finally capping his career by briefly serving as the first Director of the North Pacific Marine Sciences Organization before retiring in 1990.
Measured by family, friends and experiences, Willie always counted himself hugely successful and he will be both missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and anyone who was lucky enough to sit next to him at the coffee shop.
He is survived by his three children, Phillip (Swee Leng), Diane, Erik (Debbie) as well as 2 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 1 step great grandchild that adored their Opa.
There will be a Celebration of Life, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local Palliative Care.
Memories can be found at www.dignitymemorial.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Winfried Rapatz
3 Entries
Ulana Farmer
March 28, 2023
David and I are very sorry to hear of Willie's passing. He was a person of great charm, always a pleasure to interact with, as was Marg, who predeceased him. They were our next door neighbours on Land's End Road and we have happy memories of those times. They provided us with excellent babysitters in the persons of their older children.We also knew them through the Ocean science community. We send our condolences to the family.
verna collett
March 26, 2023
Such sad news....I have so many happy memories of good times with Willie and Margaret going back to early Cedarglen Road times and neighbourhood gatherings, and then many wonderful celebrations at Lands End Road and then in Sidney. They were such amazing hosts so our evenings were always memorable. And of course we always gave Willie an "honorary passport" back to Cedarglen, too!
Tom and Willie had great fun golfing together. Willie "loved this game" or "hated this game" depending on his score, but he always loved getting together with the boys. They also had some exciting adventures skiing.....and once Willie had to purchase new ski boots when his old fashioned leather ones just gave out while up at Mt. Washington!
Willie was a unique personality with a quirky sense of humour. He loved all of his family and was very proud of them, especially those grandchildren! I will remember him as a great friend and such an integral part of our lives over the years. We will all be missing him.
Chuck Grills
March 21, 2023
Sorry to hear of the passing of Willie Rapatz; my condolences to the family. I had the pleasure of meeting Willie through my 6 years on the WJ Stewart from 1969 - 1975 and then at IOS at Pat Bay. Whenever I bumped into him at work or later on at the Airport baseball diamonds watching the grandkids play ball. We always exchanged a few memories from time spent at sea during the survey seasons. He will be missed!
Chuck Grills
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