Franz CAVELTI

Franz CAVELTI October 9, 1927 - March 4, 2018 Franz is survived by his son John, daughter-in-law Rhea, granddaughter Danielle and grandson Alexander as well as two brothers and four sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Franz was born in Sagogn, a small Romantsch speaking village in Graubünden, Switzerland. He was the 6th child of 10, to mother Marionna Neuwirth and father Gion Matias Cavelti. In 1938 the family moved to the German speaking St.Gallen. After 8 years of compulsory schooling Franz entered an apprenticeship as a schlosser, which is part blacksmith, part mechanic. He excelled in those and many other fields such as carpentry and electrical work as shown by the two houses that he and his wife Claire built in Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, as well as helping John and Rhea with many renovation projects on their home in Victoria.

Franz brought a new dimension to his brother Toni's jewellery store in Vancouver where he researched and introduced many jewellery manufacturing skills such as centrifugal casting, wax carving and chain making. In 1970 he convinced Toni and his sister-in-law Hildegard to purchase a waterfront lot on Hornby Island where he used his skills to build a summer cabin which has become a wonderful waterfront house. Franz loved spending time on Hornby Island more than being any other place on earth.

Franz had a love of airplanes, taking flying lessons in Vancouver in the 1970s. He also had a love of cars, racing in rallies and autocross events in Switzerland and the Yukon. In his later years Franz expanded his creative direction by painting a number of scenes from Hornby Island including Helliwell Park and the cabin on Whaling Station Bay.

He spent his last years in Victoria near his son John and his family. He passed away peacefully in Victoria and left behind many good memories including "his" house on Hornby. He will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Sunrise Seniors Living and Royal Jubilee Hospital for their compassion, support and care of Franz.

A celebration of life will be held on Hornby Island for family in the spring. Flowers are kindly declined, but if desired a donation to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation in Franz's name would be gratefully accepted.