John Winterhalt Obituary - Burlington, Ontario | Guelph Line Smith's Funeral Home
Smith's Funeral Homes Logo

This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of John Winterhalt. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

Thank you.

Cancel
Select Candle

Obituary for John Henry Winterhalt

John Henry  Winterhalt
John Henry Winterhalt: A Life Story
John died peacefully at Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington, Ontario on Friday, December 28, 2018 at the age of 98, while recovering from a hip fracture and a peripheral arterial angioplasty. John is survived by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy Winterhalt; by daughter Joan Philp (Greg), son Bill Winterhalt (Kathy Pounder), and daughter Ruth Winterhalt (Michael McMahon); by grandchildren Michael Philp (Stephanie Nykamp), Heather Philp (Brian Fowler), Sarah Winterhalt (Bill Cowper), Amy Winterhalt, Eirin McMahon, and Martha Winterhalt (Karl Leuschen); and by great grandchildren Kailey Fowler, and Edie and William Cowper.
John was born March 15, 1920 in Kitchener Ontario and started work there during the depression as a bank clerk at the age of 17. He was transferred to Montreal in 1941 and had a varied work career there that included accounting, real estate management, sales and appraisals, and mortgage insurance. He met Dorothy in 1942 at Lakeside in Pointe Claire, Quebec, and they were married in November, 1944. They lived and raised their three children in nearby Dorval, Quebec. John’s company transferred him to Toronto in 1972 as an assistant general manager, and he spent the rest of his working career there, until he retired in 1982. He and Dorothy enjoyed many years curling, golfing, travelling the world and spending time at the family cottage in the Laurentians. John had a rough time in the later stages of the great depression, but soldiered on and had a good and long life with Dorothy and his extended family. He would often remark that he went from being a junior golf member at the Westmount Golf Club in Kitchener in 1935 to being a caddy at the same club in 1936. John’s reversal of fortune in these early years probably helped him to develop the wry sense of humor that kept him on an even keel throughout his life.
After retirement, John and Dorothy moved to Burlington, Ontario and enjoyed their Condo apartment life at 2055 Upper Middle Road, where they engaged in social activities, bridge, swimming and billiards with many neighbours and friends in their building. When Dorothy had to move to Christopher Terrace retirement home in July of this year because of her mobility constraints, John stayed on in the Condo, hoping to continue his golfing with the “Bandits” and billiards with friends in the building. Unfortunately, ever increasing pains in his left leg soon ended his golfing and billiards and took him down a steep path of increasing medical problems, until he joined Dorothy at Christopher Terrace in early November.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation in John’s memory at Smith’s Funeral Home, 1167 Guelph Line, Burlington at 3:00 -5:00 PM on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 and/or a Funeral Mass for John at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2265 Headon Road, Burlington at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2019, with a reception in the Church Hall to follow.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in John’s name to any charity of your choice.
John’s family is grateful for the attentive care he received at Christopher Terrace, and by Doctors Armstrong, Chan, Fornasier, and Lavers, and the nursing and rehabilitation staff at Joseph Brant Hospital.
Recently Shared Condolences
Recently Lit Memorial Candles
Recently Shared Stories
Recently Shared Photos
Share by: