Obituary of Donald Oberholzer

Donald Ferdinand Oberholzer   

1930 - 2021

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Don was welcomed into our Lord's open arms on Sunday, May 2, 2021 with his beloved wife Patricia and his daughter Kathryn by his side. His family was thankful to be able to give him their love before he passed away. He also chatted with his youngest grandson Eric in Vietnam prior to his passing.

Don is loved by his family. He will be forever loved and missed by his wife Patricia (nee Hewer) Oberholzer, for 68 years. Dear father of Michael (Xanthy) Oberholzer, Kathryn (Danny) Ziegler and Paul (the late Mary 2020) Oberholzer. Don enjoyed his grandchildren immensely and celebrated every special occasion with them. He will be greatly missed by Laura-Lynn Ziegler, Jennifer (Justin) Zielman, Kaitlyn (Johnny) Berwick, Tyler (Jamie) Oberholzer and Eric Oberholzer. Don recently became a great-grandfather to two precious great-grandsons, Timothy Berwick and Jaxon Zielman. Don is also blessed with his step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Nadine (Jacques) Haggai, children Samuel and Emily; Sherry (Graham) Price and children Noah, Sophie, and Morgan; Matthew (Marina) Price and children Oliver, Lucy, and Molly. Survived by his sister, Rosemary (Bill) Hannon and brother-in-law, Mark Reitzel. All our dogs will miss Papa’s gentle pats on their heads.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Rose (nee Dorsch) Oberholzer; brothers, Frederick C.R., Eugene (Kay), Francis (Pearl), Vincent (Margaret), Joseph, Robert (Sheila); and sister, Bernette Reitzel.

Donald was born on June 23, 1930 and grew up in Waterloo living on William Street (near Park Street). Don was a very good baseball player where he pitched and played outfield for the Waterloo Tigers. He led them to the 1950 Intercounty Baseball Championship. Don was also the MVP of the Senior Intercounty Baseball League in 1952 with the Waterloo Tigers. Don eventually coached his son Paul to the 1980 Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) Championship as members of the Waterloo Jr. Expos and continued coaching with the Waterloo Senior Tigers.

He was a true champion in Sport and in Life.

Don was also an outstanding hockey player where he played for the St. Michael's College Majors (1947-1948). He led the Guelph Biltmores to the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) Jr. "A" Championship in 1949-1950. He was a member of the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen Allan Cup Champions in 1954-1955. It was playing hockey in Guelph where he met his future wife Pat. Don doted on her right to the very end. They were inseparable and would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on May 9, 2021.

Don loved playing cards: solo, euchre, and cribbage. He taught all his grandchildren how to play cribbage. You were a very lucky person if you ever won a game, let alone skunked him! He also would spend hours completing puzzles. Don had the patience of a saint and especially when it came to hanging tinsel on the Christmas tree.

For 38 years, Don worked for Joseph E. Seagrams and Sons Ltd. until its closure in 1990. Don and his wife Pat were long time parishioners and one of the "pioneers" of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. He was dedicated to the church and served as an usher, at the Saturday 7 p.m. mass and was a long-time member of the Waterloo Knights of Columbus.

We want to give a huge thank you to all the staff at Barnswallow Place who loved our Dad as their own. They have given the utmost care and love to our Dad and Mom and we truly appreciate them.

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo on Friday, May 14, 2021 from 2 – 4 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m.  Those wishing to attend the visitation are asked to wear a personal face covering and RSVP to the funeral home through www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, Waterloo on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 10:30 am., with Rev. Rafal Tomon as Celebrant. Relatives and friends may join the family in the livestream of the funeral mass at www.erbgood.com  A private family interment will follow at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated and may be arranged through the funeral home www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.