WITTKE, Ragnar

WITTKE, Ragnar “Ray“ - Peacefully, to be with his Lord, at the Westmount LTC, surrounded by his children, on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at the age of 89. Cherished husband of the late Else Wittke for 56 years; dear father of Bernd (Nicole) of Sudbury, Robert (Cathy) of Ayr, and Renate (Ed) Schnitzer of British Columbia; grandfather of Heidi, Natasha, Geoff, Kathryn, Caitlin, Isabel and great- grandfather of Makayla, Emma and Karsten. Ray also leaves behind his sister Ellinor. Predeceased by his parents Gerhard and Melanie Wittke; brothers George and Wilfred and a sister in infancy. He will always be remembered for his kindness, encouragement and thoughtfulness, described by many as an epitome of a gentleman; traits that he instilled in all his children and the realization that he was able to have a long and happy life after enduring the trauma of his families' passage during World War II is a testament to the values of his parents and the determination he had as he started a new life in his new country Canada. He will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to share their memories of Ray with his family during visitation at the ERB & GOOD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Monday November 26, 2012 (TODAY) from 2-4 and 7- 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 317 Franklin St. N., Kitchener on Tuesday November 27, 2012 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Jim Koellner officiating. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener. A reception will follow in the church hall. A special thank you to the dedicated and compassionate management and staff at the Westmount Long term Care Facility in Kitchener who provided Ragnar with comforting, tender care on a daily basis. They were his second family. Condolences for the family and donations to the KW Food Bank, the Salvation Army or the Heart and Stroke Foundation may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.