Obituary for Erich Kunzler
With heavy hearts and great sadness, the family of Erich Kunzler announce his peaceful passing at his home in West Vancouver on March 28, 2021, at age 86.
Erich leaves behind his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Erika Kunzler; son Roland and his wife, Lisa, of Campbell River, BC; daughter, Christine and husband Dave of Abbotsford, BC; and daughter Monika and husband Jack of West Vancouver, BC; as well as five grandchildren, Patrick, Elizabeth, Janelle, Olivia and Nigel. He is also survived by his sister, Elfriede and extended family in Mannheim, Germany; sisters-in-law, Anna Bateman of
Toronto, Ontario, and Maria Schilcher of Honolulu, Hawaii and their families.
Erich was born on January 1, 1935 in Mannheim, Germany and was the second youngest child of ten. He became a carpenter in his teens and then immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1954. In 1960 he met Erika in Vancouver and married her in 1961, and they raised their three children on the North Shore.
Erich was well known for his determination, incredible work ethic, athletic prowess,
and adventurous spirit. He was intelligent, organized, generous and young at heart. In
his work life, he was tireless and found great meaning in being a super efficient task master and builder. Erich also really enjoyed his leisure activities. He enjoyed travelling, cars, boats, rose gardening, woodworking, and the great outdoors, to name just a few interests. He was very athletic and as a teenager in Germany played soccer at a very high level; in his early days in Canada Erich became an avid skier, hiker, golfer, waterskiier, and outdoorsman.
In the early 1980s, he was an enthusiastic windsurfer who enjoyed sailing from his home at Sunset Marina in the Howe Sound, and Maui. He also played tennis for many years and was a tournament champ (with Erika) on more than a few occasions. In his later years, he loved playing golf. Erich was a lifelong learner, dedicated husband and father, and a wonderful Opa to his grandkids.
Erich lived his life to the fullest, right up to the end. His life was filled with wonderful people, meaningful work, adventures, and good times. He will be greatly missed by his family and his close-knit friends, near and far.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for him at
St. Paul’s Hospital and the North Shore Community Dialysis Unit. The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude and thanks for the compassionate and exceptional care that Erich received by Dr. Paul Sugar. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Paul Sugar Foundation. www.paulsugarfoundation.com
Condolences can be offered to the family via an online memorial page at
www.mckenziefuneralservice.com
Erich’s wishes were to have a small family
gathering to celebrate his life which will occur when Covid-safe.
Erich leaves behind his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Erika Kunzler; son Roland and his wife, Lisa, of Campbell River, BC; daughter, Christine and husband Dave of Abbotsford, BC; and daughter Monika and husband Jack of West Vancouver, BC; as well as five grandchildren, Patrick, Elizabeth, Janelle, Olivia and Nigel. He is also survived by his sister, Elfriede and extended family in Mannheim, Germany; sisters-in-law, Anna Bateman of
Toronto, Ontario, and Maria Schilcher of Honolulu, Hawaii and their families.
Erich was born on January 1, 1935 in Mannheim, Germany and was the second youngest child of ten. He became a carpenter in his teens and then immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1954. In 1960 he met Erika in Vancouver and married her in 1961, and they raised their three children on the North Shore.
Erich was well known for his determination, incredible work ethic, athletic prowess,
and adventurous spirit. He was intelligent, organized, generous and young at heart. In
his work life, he was tireless and found great meaning in being a super efficient task master and builder. Erich also really enjoyed his leisure activities. He enjoyed travelling, cars, boats, rose gardening, woodworking, and the great outdoors, to name just a few interests. He was very athletic and as a teenager in Germany played soccer at a very high level; in his early days in Canada Erich became an avid skier, hiker, golfer, waterskiier, and outdoorsman.
In the early 1980s, he was an enthusiastic windsurfer who enjoyed sailing from his home at Sunset Marina in the Howe Sound, and Maui. He also played tennis for many years and was a tournament champ (with Erika) on more than a few occasions. In his later years, he loved playing golf. Erich was a lifelong learner, dedicated husband and father, and a wonderful Opa to his grandkids.
Erich lived his life to the fullest, right up to the end. His life was filled with wonderful people, meaningful work, adventures, and good times. He will be greatly missed by his family and his close-knit friends, near and far.
The family would like to thank the many doctors and nurses who cared for him at
St. Paul’s Hospital and the North Shore Community Dialysis Unit. The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude and thanks for the compassionate and exceptional care that Erich received by Dr. Paul Sugar. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Paul Sugar Foundation. www.paulsugarfoundation.com
Condolences can be offered to the family via an online memorial page at
www.mckenziefuneralservice.com
Erich’s wishes were to have a small family
gathering to celebrate his life which will occur when Covid-safe.