Obituary of Gunter Hinrich Boesche

Gunter Boesche

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Gunter Boesche announces his peaceful passing on August 23, 2022, at Algonquin Nursing Home in Mattawa at the age of 91.

Predeceased by his loving wife and lifetime sweetheart, Loni Anna Boesche (nee Brandt).

Father of only child Steven (Mary Antonioni) and loving Opa to his cherished grandchildren, Ryan, Jennifer, Alex, and Curtis. Survived by his beautiful 94-year-old sister – Irmi.

A loving, confident, strong, and hardworking husband, father, Opa, brother and uncle, Gunter was very proud of the beautiful home he designed and built on Forest Lake (Sundridge) where he and Loni enjoyed 32 years of retirement.

He loved tending to his vegetable garden, gathering firewood, travelling throughout the world, and sipping his favourite Cuban rum.

Gunter and Loni enjoyed spending time at the family cottage on Sausage Lake (Trout Creek) and his greatest joy in life was his family. He taught us to love your children, be generous, be kind and to help others.

His journey began on July 9, 1931 – born in Stade on the river Elbe (Lower Saxony - Northern Germany) a historical Hanseatic City dating back to the year 934 with a Swedish Fortress.  

As a young boy growing up during the war, his family of 6 children were resilient but suffered as many people did under Nazi rule. Gunter learned to be resourceful in gathering food and firewood for his family while his father was jailed by the Nazi’s, his 19-year-old brother was sent to fight in Russia and his sister was sent to a concentration camp (Ravensbrück) for dissident women.

Gunter played semi-professional soccer as the center-forward for the Stade VfL Güldenstern soccer team and at the age of 17, he met the love of his life, Loni Anna Brandt.

After his apprenticeship as a compositor, he worked in the printing business in Germany, immigrated to Toronto, Canada, worked as a compositor and then started his residential painting business. He married Loni on October 20, 1953, they lived in the Beaches, raised their only son Steven, sailed Lake Ontario, made lifelong friends, traveled throughout the world, and eventually built a home and moved to Forest Lake (Sundridge) and shared a total of 74 years together.

He will be greatly missed but never forgotten and we are thankful for his love, generosity, and support.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at the Algonquin Nursing Home in Mattawa. The compassion and care provided by the staff helping my father through the past 2 ½ years will always be appreciated.

Cremation has taken place and there will be a private family celebration of life.