Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Walter Jerome Spitzig
1929 - 2019
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Ichelle Spitzig-Barakat posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
EULOGY
Good morning everyone, we are here today to honor the life of my father, Dr. Walter
Spitzig, and bid our farewells to a wonderful soul.
As most of you know, I am Ichelle, Walter’s eldest daughter.
I want to thank you all for coming today, to mourn the loss of my dearest father.
Dad was born August 6th, 1929 in Toronto, Ontario.
His mother, Mary Ann Stock was of Irish descent, and his father, Lawrence Spitzig, was
of German descent. They married on June 30th, 1914 in Toronto, Ontario where they
raised their five children, Eleanor, Brother Jim, Dorothy, Loretta, and of course, Walter,
who was the youngest.
Dad was the last one living of his brothers and sisters, as they all have passed away.
As a devout Roman Catholic family, music and education would also be important
foundations. During the era of the Great Depression, when finances were difficult, such
luxuries like ‘piano lessons’ were considered unnecessary. Nevertheless, my Dad’s
mother pushed for the importance of these foundational values and skills.
He was then enrolled at St. Michael’s Choir school in Toronto, which enabled his
talents to flourish, where he learned the art of music, choir singing and became a
concert pianist for concerts on tour in Canada and Europe.
As I mentioned in Dad’s obituary, this was hugely influential on what would eventually
shape his career path.
Dad would continue his pursuit of education as an adult and go on to earn advanced
degrees in music and education, including his masters, and then his doctorate.
He also loved to travel, and would embark on many adventures in the prime of his
adulthood across Europe, Asia, North America and Central America.
This restless urge he had to unite his love of music and sports soon led him to become
a founding father and President of the Windsor Choristers. As a conductor and coach,
his teams and choir would go on to win multiple ontario championships under Dad’s
leadership. They would remain friends and colleagues for many years to come, and
Dad would continue to conduct the choristers in many performances.
Simultaneously, pursuing a career as a teacher and eventually becoming a principal for
elementary schools in the Roman Catholic school board for Windsor, Essex county. He
wanted to share and pass on his passion for music and education to children at a
foundational level, much like he experienced.
He would eventually meet my mother, Rachel Orta. They dated for quite some time,
almost 10 years from what I gathered, before marrying in 1971 in Las Vegas.
They moved to Colchester shortly after, enjoying an exclusive life on their waterfront
home, which they openly shared with family and friends.
Eventually I was born, and my sister came shortly afterwards. As a family, we grew up
as many families do...laughing, loving, arguing, playing, and always surrounded by
music. Everyone had a role to play. Dad’s role was always our provider, our pillar. But
together we were a unit, a family.
Nothing could prepare us for what was to come next.
On the earl afternoon of March 2nd, 1985, our family unit was cut in half, and changed
forever.
Dad would often refer to losing Rachel and Suzy as a hardship he endured. We all
endured it. But he kept moving forward, in pain, in strength, in memory, with a broken
heart. He still remained a pillar for me.
Time went on, Dad took an early retirement from education, but remained an active
volunteer and advocate for music and sports, and continued to enjoy leisure traveling.
He was an inspiration to me. I would pursue these passions for art, education, travel,
music and history. His endeavors became mine, as I adopted them with my own values.
There are many things I miss about by father.
• I will miss your wisdom, your unconditional love, your endearing smile and favorable
laugh
• I will it’s your quirks and eccentricities...like following after you while sugar packets
and money fall out of your pockets.
• I will it’s our 4 hour dinners at restaurants, when mangers would start turning the lights
off to give us the hint the restaurant was closing, but you didn’t care.
• I will miss how you could talk for hours, I think often just to hear yourself talk. There
were times, I would put the phone down and walk away, come back after awhile and
he would still be talking. The trick was to make sure I made it back in time. A bathroom
break was fine.
• But now, I miss the sound of your voice. The comfort and security it gave me knowing
I always had you there.
• I look forward to one day taking a long walk with you, along a tranquil path, next to a
serene body of water. I will love hearing your voice again, talking to me, forever this
time.
We never are ready to lose our parents, we wish they would stay with us forever.
I knew your time was coming Dad. I had been aware for quite some time. As the phone
calls went from every day, to every other day, to every couple weeks, I knew things
were changing with you. I knew you were growing older, less capable of looking out for
me. Now it was my turn to look after you. I was scared to be truthful. You were always
my guiding ship, how could I do this for you?
You were Stubborn and Obstinate,
But you were also Loving and Dear
You were Eccentric and Impossible
But were also Talented and Driven
You were Cynical and Harsh
But you were also Compassionate and Sensitive
You were Private and Recluse
But you were also Ambitious and Sociable
You were Cantankerous and Unreasonable
But you were also Wise and Intelligent
You were all these things...and all these things made you the beautiful man I exclusively
loved and understood.
You were my father, my rock, my lifeline.
My world feels and looks different without you in it.
What I never said to you, is how proud I was of you. As my father, I looked up to you.
You accomplished so much. It was admirable. Your dilapidation over the years was
heartbreaking to watch. I will never know another human being like you, what an
amazing outlook on life you had. What an amazing person you were.
I want you remembered as I remember you. I hope your grandson will know what an
amazing grandfather he had, and how much love you had to give. If only there was
more time. But as one life ends, another begins. And you will live on forever as part of
us.
I have to believe that you are at rest now, your mind, your heart. You are at rest now.
And somewhere, you are with mom, Suzy, your brothers and sisters, parents, and so
many others we have lost, leaving us behind.
The Pulitzer Prize winning American poet Anne Sexton from the mid 20th century once
wrote, “It doesn’t matter who my father was, it matters who I remember he was.”
I will remember you Dad always, forever, as the most important man in my life. Forever
I will be your Daddy’s little girl. Forever, I will love you.
Walt Tessling Posted Nov 29, 2019 at 2:37 PM
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Ichelle Barakat Posted Dec 13, 2019 at 11:07 AM
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Sandy Orta Vowles lit a candle
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
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The prayer for Ichelle on November 17th:
“ Father, we thank you for the comfort and love of your Holy Spirit that is covering Ichelle this first morning of her daddy being gone from the nursing home, where he was surrounded by caregivers who loved him, and was grateful for his conversation and appreciation of their time and care. We thank you that the “religion” that he had had turned into “relationship” with you, Father. There is a time when you draw us personally, heart-to-heart, to you. And, how can we refuse? Your love soaks into us and we know that religious traditions, rituals and songs are nothing compared to it. We thank you that you have received him into your presence. In the name of Yeshua, our Lord Jesus. ❤️”
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Amanda Seaton lit a candle
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
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Dear Ichelle,
I am so sorry to hear for your loss. I think of you and your family more often than not. I share so many happy memories with my own children of my childhood playing at the beach with you and Suzy and my sister Stacey...seems like a lifetime ago.
Always know these are cherished times!
I hope you and your family are well!
Lots of love! Amanda (Vagi) Seaton
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Helen lit a candle
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
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My dearest Ichelle, when I heard the news of your father’s passing, my heart was broken so many ways for you. I can not imagine how this loss must feel. I wish I could have met your father—to tell him how his life and his love had helped him raise such a loving, kind, thoughtful, and generous daughter. The stories of your father, of which you’ve shared with me, must surely be burning brightly in your heart and in your memories of him. Praying for you and your extended family, that you are surrounded in love and comfort, as you mourn the loss of your father, but more importantly, celebrate his life.
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Meagan lit a candle
Monday, November 25, 2019
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Sending love to you and your family my dear friend Ichelle. Your dad raised an amazing, beautiful daughter and he knew how much you loved him! You are in our hearts! We love you, Meagan, Zach, Jude, Elodie and Bodie
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Carla D'Ambrosio posted a condolence
Monday, November 25, 2019
Ichelle - I am so very sorry for your great loss. Your family were always such a wonderful memory of my childhood (and at St. Anthony). I remember we became fast friends...and one particular memory that I still have fresh in my mind (and have told the story to my six year old daughter also).
It was (I believe your 8th but could have been 7th) birthday party....and I remember getting the invitation to your party. I was SO excited for that...and we were all excited to be able to ride your school bus home that day and get off at your stop. Your home was so beautiful and warm. I don't remember much about the party other than playing games, the many balloons and decorations, that the cake was very yummy - and the beautiful music that your dad played on the piano.
I remember crying in your kitchen when we put your presents on the table - because my gift which was a card, and 2 rolls of nickels .... and the plastic grocery bag that I was carrying them in somehow got a hole in it (likely on our excited run down the lane to your home)...and all that was left in it was the birthday card itself. I was warned many times by my parents to be very careful with it and not to lose it. I was devastated that I had nothing to bring you. Your mom was SO sweet and kind to me, with a giant hug, and a wonderful pep talk (I 'may' have asked her to promise not to tell my mom so I wouldn't get into big trouble when I got home - a promise that was kept).
I moved out West - one month into Grade 4, and we sadly lost touch. I moved back to Essex County about 20 years ago, and always wondered where and how you were. I recently learned of your family tragedy from so many years ago and my heart goes out to you. I have many fond memories of playing in the schoolyard with you and your sister Suzy as well as our many other friends. My heart goes out to you with the loss of your Father. Wishing you a healing heart in the days to follow. Memories are all anyone can take with them in the end...Big Hugs to you!!!
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Sue Houde posted a condolence
Sunday, November 24, 2019
Our sincerest condolences to the Spitzig family, we are so sorry for your loss. . My late father Roger Gagne was a longtime friend and sang in the choir with him as a teenager & later in years on Good Friday mass. Walter had amazing talent. On the day of the horrific accident in 1985, Walter & his family were on their way to my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. Our family was very saddened to hear of this tragedy.
RIP Walter
The Gagne Family
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Kae Mastronardi posted a condolence
Saturday, November 23, 2019
I read the obituary as my maternal grandmother was a Spitzig. Checking my family tree, it turns out Walter was my third cousin, 1x removed. His great grandfather, Lawrence (1818) was the brother of my great great grandfather, Bernard Spitzig (1817). Both of them emigrated from Germany, settling in Bruce County, Ontario. I did not know Walter personally but send my condolences to his daughter, son in law, and grandson.
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197 King St. West | Harrow, Ontario N0R 1G0
Phone: 519-738-6662 | Fax: 519-738-9884
