Obituary for Edmond Helstab
HELSTAB, Edmond
Edmond Helstab died peacefully on Feb.19, 2021 in his 99th year, at home surrounded by family, after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Julia (nee Neuner) on Jan. 1, 2020. They were together for 68 years and are reunited again. He is also predeceased by his parents John and Rosalia Helstab and his sister Maria Burgert. He is survived by his four children: Susan, Edmond (Colleen Kelley), Judy George (David) and Nancy (Jean McKen) and eight grandchildren who called him Papa: Genevieve Westrope (Mike Tempest), Joseph, Lauren, Justine and Morgan Simmonds, and Tricia, Kimmy and Shelly George.
Edmond was born in Ujpetre Hungary and came to Canada in 1950 as a refugee. He met the love of his life and soulmate Julia at an adjoining tobacco farm where both were working off their passage to Canada. They married and created a wonderful life for themselves and their family. He was a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated East Main Motors (the second VW dealership in Canada) and Bowl-O-Rama Lanes, both in Welland, and owned and managed several commercial properties in Southern Ontario. He only just retired on Feb. 1, 2021 and if God ever requires the assistance of an astute businessman, He need look no further.
Edmond was well respected in the community; a great employer, business partner and landlord; a principled and loyal man. As a devout Catholic, his faith was important to him. He enjoyed life and pursued his passions. He loved to ski, to bowl, to garden, to host, to travel, to play cards. He was a good friend. Physical work was his outlet. His idea of recreation was to work at the cottage from dawn until dusk.
His children and grandchildren had the most incredible role model for hard work, generosity, optimism and the importance of family. He was a font of knowledge and there was no subject that didn’t interest him or topic that he didn’t know something about. And he sure loved to talk! He consumed news in three languages, being fluent in Hungarian, German and English. He encouraged us in everything and took pride in our accomplishments, always available to listen and give advice.
Dad and Papa was a force of nature, an amazing one-of-a-kind human being. He was unbelievably strong, both physically and in spirit. He was also kind and gentle and loving and emotional. It’s impossible to imagine that this life force has been extinguished. Our hearts are broken but we know that the force he ignited in each of us will live on.
Those who wish to pay their respects may call the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME at 905-892-5762 to schedule a visitation time on Wednesday, February 24th, times available for visitation are as follows: 2:30 - 3:30 pm, 4:00 - 5:00 pm and in the evening 6:30 - 7:30 pm and 8:00 -9:00 pm.
For those who would like to watch the Vigil Prayer service and listen to tributes from the family it will be live streamed 11am Wednesday February 24 here: https://youtu.be/urwrt9cB-dQ You can also find a clickable link in the 'Photo's and Video's' section
A private Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at St. Alexander's Catholic Church follow by Rite of Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery.
You may honour Edmond Helstab’s memory by making a donation to your favorite charity.
Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
Edmond Helstab died peacefully on Feb.19, 2021 in his 99th year, at home surrounded by family, after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Julia (nee Neuner) on Jan. 1, 2020. They were together for 68 years and are reunited again. He is also predeceased by his parents John and Rosalia Helstab and his sister Maria Burgert. He is survived by his four children: Susan, Edmond (Colleen Kelley), Judy George (David) and Nancy (Jean McKen) and eight grandchildren who called him Papa: Genevieve Westrope (Mike Tempest), Joseph, Lauren, Justine and Morgan Simmonds, and Tricia, Kimmy and Shelly George.
Edmond was born in Ujpetre Hungary and came to Canada in 1950 as a refugee. He met the love of his life and soulmate Julia at an adjoining tobacco farm where both were working off their passage to Canada. They married and created a wonderful life for themselves and their family. He was a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated East Main Motors (the second VW dealership in Canada) and Bowl-O-Rama Lanes, both in Welland, and owned and managed several commercial properties in Southern Ontario. He only just retired on Feb. 1, 2021 and if God ever requires the assistance of an astute businessman, He need look no further.
Edmond was well respected in the community; a great employer, business partner and landlord; a principled and loyal man. As a devout Catholic, his faith was important to him. He enjoyed life and pursued his passions. He loved to ski, to bowl, to garden, to host, to travel, to play cards. He was a good friend. Physical work was his outlet. His idea of recreation was to work at the cottage from dawn until dusk.
His children and grandchildren had the most incredible role model for hard work, generosity, optimism and the importance of family. He was a font of knowledge and there was no subject that didn’t interest him or topic that he didn’t know something about. And he sure loved to talk! He consumed news in three languages, being fluent in Hungarian, German and English. He encouraged us in everything and took pride in our accomplishments, always available to listen and give advice.
Dad and Papa was a force of nature, an amazing one-of-a-kind human being. He was unbelievably strong, both physically and in spirit. He was also kind and gentle and loving and emotional. It’s impossible to imagine that this life force has been extinguished. Our hearts are broken but we know that the force he ignited in each of us will live on.
Those who wish to pay their respects may call the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME at 905-892-5762 to schedule a visitation time on Wednesday, February 24th, times available for visitation are as follows: 2:30 - 3:30 pm, 4:00 - 5:00 pm and in the evening 6:30 - 7:30 pm and 8:00 -9:00 pm.
For those who would like to watch the Vigil Prayer service and listen to tributes from the family it will be live streamed 11am Wednesday February 24 here: https://youtu.be/urwrt9cB-dQ You can also find a clickable link in the 'Photo's and Video's' section
A private Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at St. Alexander's Catholic Church follow by Rite of Committal at Holy Cross Cemetery.
You may honour Edmond Helstab’s memory by making a donation to your favorite charity.
Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca