Joachim A. Knaack, retired Pastor Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, passed away peacefully in the circle of his wife and family on June 22, 2017, in his eighty-fourth year of life.

Educated in theology, Pastor Knaack studied at the Kirchliche Hochschule in Berlin, the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA and the University of Saskatchewan where he achieved a Bachelors of Arts Degree in 1959.

Immigrating to Canada in 1958, ordained and married on the same day, July 5, 1959, Pastor Knaack together with his wife Ursula (nee Kind) embarked on a great adventure. The next six decades saw him preach the gospel, minister to congregations and support communities in English and German. His ministry called him all over North America including the Ponoka-Rimbey Parish, AB; St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Markinch, SK; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, MB; St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Aylmer; ON; St. George’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Toronto, ON; Tabor Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, PA and First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Toronto, ON.

Pastor Knaack was predeceased by his Father, Arthur Willy and his Mother, Frieda (nee Klaipedat); and is survived by his wife, Ursula; his two sisters, Brigitte Laewen and Monika Schaller; his sons, Stephen (Joanne nee Desgroseilliers) and Peter (Lana nee Asal) and his two grandsons, Geoffrey and Dennis.

After a life dedicated to his vocation, he is now at peace with God. He will be missed by all whose lives he has touched.

Visitation will take place Monday, June 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street W, Toronto. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2379 Lake Shore Blvd W, Etobicoke Ontario at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Michael Pryse and Rev. Christian Ceconi officiating. Donations may be made to the Dorothy Ley Hospice or to Martin Luther Church.

Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott ein gute Wehr und Waffen;
Er Hilft uns frei aus aller Not die uns jetzt hat betroffen.
A mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty Shield and Weapon;
He Helps us free from every Need that hath us now o’ertaken.