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Hans Schmitz Obituary
"Portrait of Hans J. Schmitz Sr.
photographed by family friend,
the late Yousuf Karsh"
Landscape Architect, Founder of Artistic Landscape Designs Ltd. 1955, President 1955-2005, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of Nov. 17, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer, aged 82 years. Born on September 3, 1929 in Sonnenberg bei Wiesbaden, Germany, Hans-Jürgen immigrated to Canada in December 1952. Married 57 years to his beloved wife Edeltraut Schmitz, father to Eva (Jim), Edel, Hans J Jr. (Mary-Anne), Eckhart (Louise) and honorary son Mossy (Yassaman). Grandfather of (Eva) Dieter, Kristoff, Oliver, (Edel) Byron, Derek, Kyle, Kurtis, (Hans J) Elise, Engelina, Caroline, (Eckhart) Erika, Kristian and great grandfather of Hannalore, Zachary and Peyton. Survived by brothers and sisters and their families in Germany, Canada, South Africa, South America and United States. He will be missed by all our dedicated staff (approximately 80 employees), who are truly our extended "family". Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers for their kind and compassionate care from the Ottawa Hospital, from the Windsor Park Manor and home-care providers. Hans-Jürgen will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Pinecrest Remembrance Centre, (613-829-3600), 2500 Baseline Rd. at Greenbank Rd., Ottawa at 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, on both Wednesday 23rd November and Thursday 24th November.
Memorial Service will be held at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave., Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday 26th November. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre ( www.oicc.ca ) and Friends of the Central Experimental Farm (Botanical Garden) would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.colefuneralservices.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
16 Entries
Sherry Gaudry-Bearzatto
November 26, 2011
Mrs. Schmitz & Family,
Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
Albert, Sherry & Angelena Bearzatto
Stacy Elliott
November 23, 2011
I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Schmitz family, extended family, and Artistic family. My thoughts are with you.
Hank & Marian Hofmann
November 23, 2011
To all the Schmitz Family:
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of a great horticultural pioneer in the Ottawa area and a great man.
We met Mr. Schmitz for the first time in 1985 when, on the recommendation of someone else, he came by to do an estimate for landscaping for the home we had just purchased. We knew from the almost the first moment that this man really knew what he was talking about and that he would be so easy to work with. That first landscaping project at our place turned out to be truly beautiful and we have been back many, many times over the years for plants and landscape advice. Often, I would pop into his office and say a quick hello and he always had time for a quick chat.
We will all miss him.
Fred Barr
November 22, 2011
November 22, 2011 - Charlotte NC USA
Dear Mrs. Schmitz & family, Please know I'm thinking of you all at this sad time. I have kept and still remember the many happy memories of my short but memorable time as a border with you back in 1965. I wish you all peace and good health in continuing the Artistic Landscaping work as I'm sure Hans J. would wish it. With my sincere condolences from North Carolina.
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Dieter-Wilhelm Doneit
November 22, 2011
I also used to get poked in the side when ever I'd give my Opa a hug! Without fail! It could be argued that as the eldest of all the grandchildren, I got poked the hardest, but then I was the one meant to set an example before the eyes of my cousins...An obligation that was never easy, but one that I relished just the same & tried my best to fulfil! Its nice to see that Opa played this trick on all the generations of grandchildren!
My fondest memories of my Opa came when I lived with my Oma & Opa, immediately above the Garden Center in the Private Suite. Oma and Opa were so kind as to allow to live in & with them, for quite sometime!
During those periods, I recall how often just the three of us, Oma, Opa & I, would sit back, after they had finished up yet another backbreaking & gruelling day of work & watch documentaries, the news or would play a game or sometimes a few. Mensch Ärger Dich Nicht was my favorite! Opa's German Carrott Salad was equally legendary & to die for! He generally always made it because he knew how much I loved it! To this very day, I have never found a salad which could come close to comparing to his!
No evening was EVER complete without Opa and I walking together in the bitter cold and snow to the greenhouses to put more firewood in the furnace to keep the flowers alive! As the oldest, I went along without fail, part duty, part to ensure he wouldn't fall & hurt himself but mostly because I loved the responsibility he gave me, the great effort he made to teach me the family business & I shall never forget the deep passion he felt for me to continue the family tradition by working in & with the family business. And I did, for many years!
I quite literally grew up there & started working long before any other person I've ever met & I loved it! I was either a constant companion to either Opa or Oma, doing small things like answering our hundreds of calls per day, re-routing those calls to our many employees or I would shadow Oma as she taught me virtually all I know about landscaping & the flowers that brighten all our lives.
I will never forget how passionately & firmly Opa used to defend my work alongside my Unkle Eckhard driving the collasal Caterpillar Front End Loader clearing Ottawa's streets, homes and business, as their occupents slept & as the heavy snow fell from the heavens. Others reckoned that such work was not suitable for a kid of my age. But Opa knew how much I loved being out, doing just that! He knew that I was doing everything within my power, to help my families business & he also knew from my Uncle Eckhart & from customers how incredibly well I utilised that heavy machine to provide what Artistic Landscape Design is famous for ... Perfection!
It is with deep & profound sadness that I end in saying that I know Opa is in a much greater place & I KNOW that we will see each other again & I relish the day, when that will come to pass.
Auf wiedersehen Lieber Opa, Gute Nacht und Danke dass es dich gegeben hat!
Mit schwerenherzen & mit viel liebe,
Dein Größter und Ältester Enkel ... Aus deine Heimat
November 22, 2011
Edel - I am so very sorry to hear of your father's passing. I have fond memories of 'hanging' at your house after I had just moved to Ottawa when I was 14 and your dad would try to help me remember some of my german that I had learned in childhood. My condolences to your mother and your entire family.
Cathy Sinclair-Smythe
[email protected]
November 22, 2011
Dear Schmitz Family,
My prayers are with you in the loss of the patriarch of the Schmitz Family.
Ottawa lost one of its horticulture pioneers and will be missed.
Juergen Kuehn
Janice Ife
November 22, 2011
My deepest sympathies to all the family and friends of Mr. Schmitz. The contribution of 'The Schmitz Family' to the Horticulture Industry in the Ottawa region has been outstanding, and the support shown on an ongoing basis for the Horticulture program at Algonquin College has been second to none. My condolances to you all.
Fraser Wilson
November 21, 2011
My sincere condolences to the entire Schmitz family.
Mike Leclair
November 21, 2011
Dear Eva and Jim
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your father/father-in-law. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at the difficult time.
Keltie and Michael Leclair
Bruce Cameron
November 21, 2011
One more great one passes and will be missed by many
Stephen Harding
November 20, 2011
Dear Mrs. Schmitz and family:
Very sorry to hear of Mr.Schmitz passing.
I will always remember having diner with the family at the nursery with Mr.Schmitz at the head of the table.All the best to Mrs.Scmitz, Eva, Edel,Hans Jr.and Eck.
Stephen and Diane Harding, .
Sue Fauteux
November 20, 2011
Dear Mrs Schmitz and family,
I am very sad to learn of Mr Schmitz's passing. My most heartfelt sympathy.
I will always remember him as he sat at his desk, gentle smile, composing letters and contracts.
All my love to Mrs Schmitz, Eva, Hans Jr., Eckhart, Edel and families, Mossy and all the extended family at Artistic.
Caroline Schmitz
November 19, 2011
One of my most fond memories of my Opa would be when I'd go say hello, then make an attempt at giving him a hug. His reaction was the same every time; he would use his two index fingers and poke me firmly in the side, causing me to jump and us to laugh together. This memory will always brings a smile to my face and I'm sure many more since I was not the only one he would play this trick on.
I love you Opa
Don Frisby
November 19, 2011
Dear Mrs. Schmitz, Eva & family. Please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr. Schmitz.
Dominique Lamberton
November 19, 2011
I'm so sorry to learn of your loss, my love and condolences to all of you.
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