In Memory of
Eric August
Reukl
Reukl
1932 - 2017
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Obituary for Eric August Reukl
REUKL, Erich August “Eric”
Peacefully at Burloak Long Term Care Centre on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Gertrude “Trudie” Reukl (nee Lang). Loving father of Rob Reukl and his wife Nicole. Cherished grandfather of Spencer Reukl. Predeceased by his parents Josef and Margarete Reukl and brother Gustaz Franz Reukl. Eric will be fondly remembered by his extended family in both Canada and Austria.
Eric arrived in Canada from his native Austria in 1952 as one member of the wave of postwar European immigrants that were welcomed with open arms by Canada. The love of his life Getrude (Trudie) Lang followed in 1954 and was married in March, shortly after her arrival. Eric and Trudie were inseparable for 63 years.
Eric worked for several years as an electrician for Northern Electric, a skill that he had begun learning in his native Austria, and the young couple bought their first home in Hamilton on Upper Ottawa Street on “The Mountain” as the portion of the Niagara Escarpment that runs thru Hamilton was often called. In September of 1958 they were blessed with what was to be the only child, a son Robert, who they named after an actor in the western themed movies they so much enjoyed together. After this new addition to the family arrived Eric decided that it would be more prudent to stay closer to home and joined Butler Manufacturing in Burlington where he spent the remainder of his working life.
Eric and Trudie became true Canadians, acquiring their Canadian citizenship in 1960 and embracing all that Canada had to offer. In the early sixties they began a lifelong exploration of Canada and the rest of North America along its interstate highways and rural roadways. Often preferring the route less traveled. From the Alaska Highway, to Death Valley, to old Key West, to the Bay of Fundy - they saw it all. Christmas was a time to head to Florida for a couple of weeks and the summer was a time to hit the road west, with a particular fondness of the hotels and casinos of Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe. They were true road warriors and passed a love of travel on to their son. Eric and Trudy returned to his native Austria on several occasions to visit the extended family he had left behind. Locally there were occasional weekend trips to Parry Sound. A welcome getaway to a cottage owned by Eric’s only Canadian relative and he thoroughly enjoyed his time there in the company of family.
Eric’s other passion was his home. After several local moves, including a year in California, Eric and his family moved into a house on Appleby Line. And then the work began. He did countless renovations and modifications to make the house a home, aided by many of the skilled European friends he knew. Helping out where she could Trudie spent time landscaping the grounds and in the garden. Weekend often found him on the golf course enjoying the game he took up later in life. Finally leaving the home in 2009 for Burloak Long Term Care when his Parkinson’s disease became more than his loving wife could handle.
Eric and Trudie were pleased to welcome a daughter-in-law, Nicole (Nikki), into the family when their son married. But were even more thrilled when that union produced their first and only grandson, Spencer who now became the focus of their attention. This new addition meant many more miles on the road to northern Ontario where their son and his family lived.
Retirement for Eric meant more time to travel and he and Trudie hit the road several times a year. It also allowed them to spend more time at the Florida condo they had bought several years earlier in St. Petersburg Beach. Those years were truly golden for the two of them. But Eric was slowed by the slow onset of Parkinson’s in 2007 and entered Burloak Long Term Care in 2009. The care, compassion and respect he received while there was without equal and thanks and praise go out to the nurses and staff that made Eric as comfortable as possible in his final days when he finally succumbed to complications related to his Parkinson’s Disease.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 12 noon until the time of a memorial service in the chapel at 1p.m. Reception to follow. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Eric are asked to please consider Parkinson Canada.
Peacefully at Burloak Long Term Care Centre on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Gertrude “Trudie” Reukl (nee Lang). Loving father of Rob Reukl and his wife Nicole. Cherished grandfather of Spencer Reukl. Predeceased by his parents Josef and Margarete Reukl and brother Gustaz Franz Reukl. Eric will be fondly remembered by his extended family in both Canada and Austria.
Eric arrived in Canada from his native Austria in 1952 as one member of the wave of postwar European immigrants that were welcomed with open arms by Canada. The love of his life Getrude (Trudie) Lang followed in 1954 and was married in March, shortly after her arrival. Eric and Trudie were inseparable for 63 years.
Eric worked for several years as an electrician for Northern Electric, a skill that he had begun learning in his native Austria, and the young couple bought their first home in Hamilton on Upper Ottawa Street on “The Mountain” as the portion of the Niagara Escarpment that runs thru Hamilton was often called. In September of 1958 they were blessed with what was to be the only child, a son Robert, who they named after an actor in the western themed movies they so much enjoyed together. After this new addition to the family arrived Eric decided that it would be more prudent to stay closer to home and joined Butler Manufacturing in Burlington where he spent the remainder of his working life.
Eric and Trudie became true Canadians, acquiring their Canadian citizenship in 1960 and embracing all that Canada had to offer. In the early sixties they began a lifelong exploration of Canada and the rest of North America along its interstate highways and rural roadways. Often preferring the route less traveled. From the Alaska Highway, to Death Valley, to old Key West, to the Bay of Fundy - they saw it all. Christmas was a time to head to Florida for a couple of weeks and the summer was a time to hit the road west, with a particular fondness of the hotels and casinos of Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe. They were true road warriors and passed a love of travel on to their son. Eric and Trudy returned to his native Austria on several occasions to visit the extended family he had left behind. Locally there were occasional weekend trips to Parry Sound. A welcome getaway to a cottage owned by Eric’s only Canadian relative and he thoroughly enjoyed his time there in the company of family.
Eric’s other passion was his home. After several local moves, including a year in California, Eric and his family moved into a house on Appleby Line. And then the work began. He did countless renovations and modifications to make the house a home, aided by many of the skilled European friends he knew. Helping out where she could Trudie spent time landscaping the grounds and in the garden. Weekend often found him on the golf course enjoying the game he took up later in life. Finally leaving the home in 2009 for Burloak Long Term Care when his Parkinson’s disease became more than his loving wife could handle.
Eric and Trudie were pleased to welcome a daughter-in-law, Nicole (Nikki), into the family when their son married. But were even more thrilled when that union produced their first and only grandson, Spencer who now became the focus of their attention. This new addition meant many more miles on the road to northern Ontario where their son and his family lived.
Retirement for Eric meant more time to travel and he and Trudie hit the road several times a year. It also allowed them to spend more time at the Florida condo they had bought several years earlier in St. Petersburg Beach. Those years were truly golden for the two of them. But Eric was slowed by the slow onset of Parkinson’s in 2007 and entered Burloak Long Term Care in 2009. The care, compassion and respect he received while there was without equal and thanks and praise go out to the nurses and staff that made Eric as comfortable as possible in his final days when he finally succumbed to complications related to his Parkinson’s Disease.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 12 noon until the time of a memorial service in the chapel at 1p.m. Reception to follow. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Eric are asked to please consider Parkinson Canada.
