Obituary of Lawrence Gotzeler

Lawrence passed away at Cooksville Care Centre, Mississauga on Monday, February 24, 2025 at 85 years of age.

Loving father of Christine (Joe) Morra and Sylvia Gotzeler. Proud grandpa of Thomas and Alex. Lawrence is predeceased by his wife Susan. Dear brother of Thea (late Anton) Halder, late Ludwig Gotzeler and Luis (Susanna) Gotzeler. Special thanks to Rae Ann for her longtime friendship with Lawrence.

A memorial visitation will be held at Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe Road, Bradford on Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 11 a.m. until the time of a memorial service at 12 noon.

Lawrence Gotzeler was born on October 1, 1939 in Buxheim, Germany. He lived with his mother, older sister and older brother (deceased) while his father was away at war, and later his younger brother was born. At the age of fourteen, Lawrence left home to live in Munich, Germany where he apprenticed as a baker for three years and met his best friend Herman. A few years later Lawrence and Herman decided to leave Germany and make their way to Canada. They landed in Montreal where they both found jobs as bakers. It was in Montreal where he met his future wife Susan. Lawrence and Susan had three children together, Frank (deceased), Christine, and Sylvia.

Lawrence and Susan eventually left Montreal in 1970 with their friends Herman and Marcelle. The two couples purchased the Fine Cake Shop on Main Street in Newmarket. Eventually Lawrence and Susan decided to purchase their own bakery and they bought the Levendale Pastry Shop in Richmond Hill which they owned and operated until Lawrence’s retirement. Levendale Pastry shop was a beautiful bakery, with everything baked from scratch. Cakes, pastries, bread, muffins, gingerbread houses, Easter chocolates, Valentine’s cookies, wedding cakes were all just a small sample of the delicious homemade goods that Lawrence prepared.

Lawrence loved to participate in many physical activities. He belonged to the local boxing club in Richmond Hill, and then later switched to the local running club. He trained for, and raced in many local 10 km races, and later competed in marathon races in places such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York, and twice in the Boston Marathon. His best time in the Boston Marathon was 2 hours and 52 minutes. He also loved snowboarding, kayaking, hiking, and daily gym workouts. Throughout his life, he owned fourteen motorcycles, buying his last one in 2019.

When Lawrence’s grandchildren, Thomas and Alex were born he was thrilled to spend as much time as possible with them. He attended as many of their hockey and soccer games as he could. He took them to McDonalds each week, waiting for them to get off the school bus so they could play in the McDonald’s playground. He was very proud of his two grandsons. When Lawrence’s health began to decline, Thomas and Alex were a tremendous source of care and comfort to their grandfather, at times making sure to visit him at least three times a week. They would take him to McDonalds, which he claimed was the happiest place on earth!

As Lawrence’s health declined he was very sad that he could no longer visit his brother, sister and all his nieces and nephews in Germany. He loved his sister and brother very much and called them as often as possible.

Rae Ann was a very special person in Lawrence’s life and remained a very good friend of his for many, many years. They attended dances together, went on motorcycle rides, and helped one another in any way they could, as great friends do.

Lawrence never wasted a moment of his life, always looking for the next great adventure. We are thankful that God has called him home, to end the suffering that he endured in the last years of his life. His life was full of many memorable times, both sad and happy. We wish him eternal peace in his heavenly life, and will remember him always.