Contributions to the tribute of Frank H. Pichler

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Chris Pichler posted a condolence

Friday, May 31, 2024

Hi, I’m Walter Gebhart. In looking around I don’t know most of you. Consequently, you don’t know me either. So let me explain my relationship with Frank and share a couple of thoughts with you. Our parents, speaking for Chris, Irene, and myself were newly arrived immigrants here in Canada back in around 1950. I don’t know where they all met, either on the boat over or shortly afterwards. It was a small group, mainly consisting of my dad Eric, Franz of course, Erwin Renner, Heinz Kapke, and Heinz Riemenschneider. My dad was the oldest in the group and was the only one already married back in Germany before emigrating. The others had girlfriends, which included Trudy and Louise who subsequently got hitched here in Canada. By today’s standards the early 50’s was a technology desert. Black and white televisions were just being introduced. Telephones, if there was one in the home, were mostly party lines shared with other households, which meant making a call often involved waiting for someone else to finish their call first. Oh yes, if so inclined you could pick up, eaves drop and listen in but that was not done because that would be impolite. Socializing therefore was in person face to face. Real conversation. This group having a lot in common, culture and language mostly as my father spoke not a word of English at the time, quickly became friends, meeting often. My earliest memories of this group were when I was in grade 2 or 3 and visits were in our home. That would have been around 1953 or 54. If it was not yet my bedtime I was allowed to hang around. It was Frank’s pleasant and easy-going personality that got me to like him more than the others. To the point where when it was time for them to leave for the evening, I got physically upset, saying goodbye was not going to happen. My reaction, I crawled under my bed and cried. Not audibly but with crocodile tears I cried. In retrospect Frank had become a cherished and endearing uncle. As these crying episodes happened more than once, to my embarrassment, Frank often reminisced about them forever after. As the decades passed evening socials evolved to include picnics at the beach, fishing trips and cottage visits. During the 50’s we all lived in Niagara Falls. The first of now two 45ft diameter tunnels running from Chippewa under the city to Queenston was being constructed to complete the Sir Adam Beck II Hydroelectric power plant. Frank, my dad, and Erwin were employed there. When that project completed employment at the Falls became difficult and we all ended up in Toronto. I believe my dad was the last to move in 1959 when I was in grade 8. By that time, I think Frank and Trudy had already married and were living in Cabbage town. It was then when Frank gave me his Kodak Brownie box camera. The Riverdale Zoo was nearby, and I remember the first picture I ever took was of a big white polar bear. Frank had introduced me to what became a fascinating hobby, photography, an interest that I still pursue today. My dad passed away in 1972 at the age of 53 and so the frequency of social visits dropped dramatically. With my mother, who never drove, I continued with the visits, but now often limited to once a year around Christmas or new year’s. Sometimes the visits were at the Renner’s. Then my mother passed away in 2000 at the age of 80, and with that, those visits also stopped. The last time I saw Frank was at my new house near Peterborough. He drove up with Monica about 6 years ago I think, for a wonderful afternoon’s visit. It’s impossible to summarize a lifetime or even for me to articulate the subtle but very positive influences Frank has had in my life. But I am here now, to say my last and final tearful goodbye.

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Chris Pichler posted a condolence

Friday, May 31, 2024

My name is Jane Thompson and Frank is my Stepdad. I recall that mom and Frank met as a set up by my dear Uncle Pat and Aunt Bernice. They played bridge in Don Mills and met Frank through the Bridge Club there. I believe they set up a bridge game together and then began their journey. I was very proud of Frank as it was evident he was very much a family man. I have always been proud of his artistic talent, his wine making, his outgoing personality, Austrian heritage, and his love of doing things with, and being with family. I do believe he too was as proud as we were to enter into such a large blended family. He enjoyed time spent with all of moms, friends, siblings and my cousins. He enjoyed being active and we enjoyed playing golf together, going swimming and some travel together. I think of Frank every time I boil eggs. I was taught the 3 minute boil method, but he always insisted I do them his way which is eggs and water in pot and timer on for 10 mins and done. It does work great and this is one of the things he taught me. Frank has been a part of our lives for a long time. I remember him coming with Mom to see Chelsea after she was born in 1990, and now she is expecting. Aaron was not able to be here today, but he sent this message: “When I think of Frank, I’m reminded of how proud he was of his family and how much he loved them. It seemed like every time we would visit Frank and Grandma, he would be wresting with his VCR or his camcorder. Always in an effort to share with us some of the home videos he had made. He was always very kind and would spend time with me playing on the computer or playing billiards in the pool room. Every time he would coach me on how to properly hold the cue…but now looking back, he was probably just trying to make sure I didn’t ruin the table! I always felt as though he was mindful being new to our family (which is strange to say, having been a part of it for so long). However he was always sure to remind me to “give Grandma a call, she loves hearing from you.” Demonstrating the quiet, caring Grandfather he was.” In closing, one of the best things that Frank gave us is our beautiful extended family. I could not have a more wonderful step family than Chris, Diane, Alex, Cailyn, Irene, Martin, Tyler and Bradley. We love you Frank and we are blessed to have had you in our lives.

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Irene and Martin Rose donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF SIMCOE COUNTY

Thursday, May 30, 2024

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chris posted a condolence

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Cheers Pops! I was very lucky to have a dad like you. We spent a lot of time together while I was growing up and I was able to enjoy many of the same interests, one would say the apple did not fall far from the tree. Each year after about 10 years old I looked so forward to our spring and fall trips to the Gibson river and staying at Erwin’s cabin who was your best friend and whom you came to Canada with. The endless stories shared over a fresh caught filet of Pike / Bass caught in our private little lake. Having our fishing break on a rock with sandwiches mom always prepared for us. At 15 we started to hunt together and spent hours in the fall bush walking with heavy chest waders looking for ducks or more enjoyably looking for grouse after the failed duck attempts. In my late 20’s we taught my family dog Dexter to retrieve, except I had to strip down and wade in mucky pond waters while you coached from the side line. When I was finally big enough to join you fishing along your favourite river, I would get lost in the tall ferns so we used to whistle to each other so you knew I was close. You always caught most of the trout but if I added one or two to the basket that made me very happy and put a smile on your face. Growing up with afternoon forest walks, turning a snow covered hill into a downhill run, bike rides, games and who can forget the motorized go cart you built me in my early teen years with hockey sticks as a frame with no brakes (best thing ever), you always said don’t go on the paved side road but of course I did, thats where it went the fastest. You built by hand our beloved cabin on a beautiful 10 acre property using basic tools back then. You made the best straight cuts with a hand saw, who needs an electric saw, while mom worked so hard at creating the most wonderful gardens. I learned to use a chainsaw at around 12, firing up the Mcculloch S250 always made my day and sent a roar through the valley. The safety lesson was, don’t cut yourself, look where you stand and always keep both hands on the saw while using. As a young boy being a brat at the land or at home to my sister and then it finally annoyed you enough and well that never went good. You never saw work as a chore but as a way to achieving something. I must admit digging the 21 foot round pool 3 feet in the ground was a bit much for me but we had over 25 years of enjoyment from it, maybe I will not hate the shovel anymore. You taught me to do anything if you put your mind to it. Even art ran through our veins and the paintings you did over the years that now hang on the walls of friends and family are a tribute to your legacy and your passion for art. Finally, you kept every memory possible, some might call it hoarding but I have come to understand how everything meant so much to you. Your life was lived to the fullest, you loved and cared for all in your life and you left an indelible mark on me which shaped me into the person I am today. You will be greatly missed and never forgotten. With all my heart, love your son.

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Armin and Christa Kratel donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF SIMCOE COUNTY

Thursday, May 30, 2024

In memory of our longtime friend, fishing and hunting buddy. Our thoughts are with the family. We are mourning the loss of a good friend.

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Pat Parker donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF SIMCOE COUNTY

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

In memory on your dad. Love ya

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Jeffrey Barras donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF SIMCOE COUNTY

Saturday, May 25, 2024

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Tracy Lee-Mix lit a candle

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Condolences to the Pichler family, thinking of you all during your time of grieving. The Mix Family

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The family of Frank H. Pichler uploaded a photo

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Frank H. Pichler

1931 - 2024