Obituary of Karl Tilander

"If I had the wings of an angel…" Austin Karl Tilander, a great man who lived life to the fullest each and every day, entered a new journey on October 17th 2013. He shared his life of adventures, travel and laughter with his great love and partner Ruthanne (nee Withers). He taught by example how to be a great father to his beloved children Randall, Cheryl, Shawn. Brenda, Melodie, Lars, Erik, Cara and Christopher. His unconditional love extended to his childrens' life partners, Jane Barker, Greig Findley, Mickey Masse, Ron Miron and Liza Tilander. He opened his heart and family to his dear sisters-in-law Dawn Brent and Heather Withers and his beloved siblings Marge and Lawrence, Earl and Ernie. His life was made richer through the lives of his grandchildren Casandra, Geoff, Karly, Olivia, Ellen, Emily, Harmonie, Mika, Charlotte, Ki Karl, Katie, Aiden and Ruth-A and his great granddaughter Elyanna. Karl's values of family and generosity let him include his many close friends as if they were family. Caring was its own reward. His home and his heart were always open to others. He always felt that he got back more than he gave while helping others. Karl, a longtime member of Plumber and Steamfitters - Local 46 gave selflessly to many causes. He modeled his belief in bringing laughter and reducing suffering, through decades of volunteering to two of his favourite causes, the North Bay Association for Community Living and the Boy Scouts of Canada. Karl touched the lives of many. Every day was a blessing to him. He has left this heaven on earth to join his father Erland, his son Neil and other loved ones on the next Great Adventure. Karl's wife Ruthanne and the family invite you to celebrate a life well-lived and well-loved at St Brice's Anglican Church - Cassells Street on Monday October 28th from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Karl requests donations to The North Bay Association of Community Living or the Daffodil Center in Sudbury