In Loving Memory: An Obituary for ‘Dolf’

A Life Remembered, A Legacy Cherished

It is with heartfelt sorrow and deep respect that we share the immense loss of a remarkable life - a presence whose warmth touched many, whose quiet acts of kindness shaped the world for the better, whose sense of humour was ever-present and whose legacy endures in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him. As we reflect on Dolf’s life journey filled with triumphs and challenges, laughter and tears, we honour a story uniquely etched into the hearts and minds of all who knew Dolf.

Early Life and Family

Born in pre-WWll Grobming, Steiermark Austria, Dolf began his journey in a close-knit community rooted in the steeped traditions of being a hard working Butcher’s son, where love and hope was ever-present, but not always expressed in the forms we have now come to know. From an early age, Dolf exhibited a playfulness and gentle curiosity about the world - always eager to learn, explore, and embrace the wonders of life, that would often get him a ‘smack upside the head or a stern scolding.’ That was how caring and love was expressed throughout Dolf’s early life. Dolf’s family, steadfast in their support, nourished a sense of belonging and resilience, values that would become foundational to the person they would grow to be. With lots of great role models for hard work, throughout his life, Dolf possessed an unparalleled work ethic.

Education and Formative Years

The journey of learning was one that Dolf undertook with a great sense of mischief and curiosity! From the first days in the classroom, Dolf displayed an insatiable curiosity - questioning, experimenting, and always striving to understand the world in deeper ways – while often going out of his way to be the Class Clown! Dolf was intellectually curious and even in the later years as a legendary Tool and Die Mold Maker, he was taking courses on Advanced Mathematics so that when his employer sent him to different countries to learn about massive EDM and CDC Mold Making Machines – to then have those machines shipped back to Canada, where Dolf would assemble them and teach other Mold Makers how to use those machines. Dolf possessed an incredibly advanced intellect and the articulate gifts one would find in one’s favourite teachers.

As years passed, quietly Dolf’s accomplishments accumulated: academic achievements through the courses he studied were never celebrated, but more so just expected. For many years Dolf maintained his membership at the Austrian Clubhouse in Toronto, where he immigrated to in 1959. Dolf never lost touch with his Austrian roots and traditions. Dolf had a firm reputation for integrity that inspired admiration. Yet, it was never just about personal accolades. Throughout his life, Dolf was the epitome of humility. His unwavering willingness to help others, whether through tutoring or volunteering to stay late at work to help a fellow co-worker get the job done, revealed Dolf’s generous heart committed to the collective success over individual gain.

Career and Contributions

Upon entering the professional world, Dolf brought the same passion and dedication that defined his earlier years that created his non-stop work ethic. Colleagues and peers frequently remarked on this incredibly unwavering work ethic, creative problem-solving, and the respect that Dolf showed to every person, regardless of rank or background. Dolf’s career spanned decades, and when he retired at the age of 65, from several years of consistently excellent service, at Tycos Tool and Die - a Magna International Company, Dolf was celebrated with a wonderful send off and lots of tears by all who knew him.

Innovation and adaptability became hallmarks of Dolf’s approach. Faced with challenges, he responded not with resignation but with resilience and ingenuity. Mentorship was central to Dolf’s professional ethos; many recall how his gentle guidance paved the way for new generations, fostering growth and confidence in those just beginning their own careers at Magna.

Personal Life, Passions, and Hobbies

Beyond the confines of work, Dolf found joy and fulfillment in a wide array of interests. His hobbies spanned the creative and the practical. One thing that was certain about Dolf – he could build absolutely anything he set his mind to:

In terms of his innate abilities to create success where he deemed it important, we share the following anecdote…

One day Dolf drove my Mother in Law, Claudette (Dette), up to Lower Buckhorn Lake in the Kawartha’s, and showed her a piece of property that he had bought with their life savings of $3,500.00, to build a family cottage on a parcel of what was literally SWAMP LAND.

Claudette, affectionately referred to as ‘Missus, Hey, Dette, Claudette or TOBA,’ his cherished/beloved wife of 62 years, Dette relates the story of how hard she cried, when she exclaimed…

“YOU SPENT ALL OF OUR SAVINGS ON SWAMP LAND?!?"

Dolf had a vision. He hired a company to fill in the land, pour the foundation for the cottage, and he built the rest of it by himself - all of it - by reading books and teaching himself how and what to do, as he went along, while involving Gary and Kelly as ‘helpers.’

Once he installed the plumbing, he had a plumber come by to give his blessings and make sure it was 'up to code.’ Same thing with the ‘electrical.’ When the electrician saw what Dolf had done, he immediately approved everything as being 'up to code.’ It came to pass that there was nothing that Dolf could not teach himself to build! The family cottage that Dolf built on Hill Estates Rd, all those years ago, still stands as one of the prettiest cottages on Buckhorn Lake. The man could do anything he set his mind to!

Music often filled Dette & Dolf’s home as Dolf also was a very good Musician. As a man of great tradition, every Christmas Eve, after Church, Dolf would roast chestnuts over the stove, or in the fireplace he built, take out his harmonica, and play the most beautiful music. But it got better, much better, once the Grandchildren came along!

Sabian and Sebastian - Children of Daughter Kelly Bodanis nee Schrempf, and son-in-law, Dan Bodanis, and Ben and Keelin, son and daughter of son Gary Schrempf and his wife, Christy.

The Grandchildren absolutely loved their ‘Opa,’ and the highlight of their visit with their Opa, would often be the command concert Opa would ALWAYS have to perform! Thankfully, we have lots of wonderful video memories of Opa being like the Pied Piper for all of the Grandchildren, and the best memories came when Opa would be performing a private concert for little Sebby! Opa would finish a song and Sebby would push Opa’s hand back towards his mouth, which was his way of saying “More Opa! More!!!" It got even better when Sabian was old enough to follow in Opa’s footsteps, when Opa taught Sabian how to play harmonica.

Dolf absolutely loved to see his Grandchildren doing what they loved! Keelin was an amazingly accomplished, competitive Cheerleader. As a 'Flyer,' Keelin took everyone's breath away, as she flew through the air at death defying speeds and heights!

Watching Ben make the most incredible saves, as a hockey goalie, always playing against the fiercest competition, often standing up to the biggest and best shooters of the game, always amazed Dolf!
When Sabian played hockey, Dolf always made time to attend his tournaments and was always glued to the action. When Sabian played drums, Dolf paid attention, and when Sabian expressed an interest in learning the harmonica, he could only learn from one teacher - his Opa!

From the beginning, when he arrived in Canada in 1959, Dolf was an avid hockey fan. His love of hockey only proliferated when his son Gary, took up the sport and quickly proved to be a truly great hockey player!

Dolf and Dette were always the proudest fans in the stands whenever Gary touched the puck! Dolf had to sit at the opposite end of the arena from Dette, as his ‘quiet style of being a great hockey dad,’ conflicted rather STRONGLY with Dette's 'NOT SO QUIET STYLE as a Hockey Mom,’ yelling, shouting, screaming, and finally SHRIEKING - “Go Gary!” "GO GARY! GO GARY!! GO GARY!!! GO GARY!!!!!”

After Gary scored, which was often and highly prolific, Dette would turn to everyone in the stands, as if they didn’t already hear her shrieking, er, I mean CHEERING for Gary, and proudly state – “That’s my son Gary! He just scored that beautiful goal! Did you see my son Gary score that beautiful Goal?” “Did you see Gary’s goal? Wasn’t it amazing!” “That was my son Gary!”

When watching pro hockey on the TV, Dolf’s favourite hockey player was ‘The Big M,’ Frank Mahovlich, who he finally got to meet at an NHL Alumni Christmas Luncheon, in 2022! Besides being on the ice with several of the Toronto Maple Leafs players, during the Toronto Maple Leafs Skate for Easter Seals Kids, where Dolf posed for photos with Leafs Goalie Fredrick Anderson, and joked with Leafs Defenceman, Morgan Reilly, while posing for photos, meeting Frank Mahovlich, at the same NHL Alumni Luncheon as well as meeting retired NHL Referee in Chief, Bryan Louis and retired NHL Referee, Ron Hoggarth, meeting The Big M,’ was so meaningful to Dolf – especially since all three legendary hockey men took the time to get to know him and speak with him at length!

Dolf’s favourite hockey team was the Toronto Maple Leafs! Just one more time during his lifetime, Dolf wanted the Leafs to win a Stanley Cup! Unfortunately, as close as they came in the most recent hockey season, which Dolf rarely missed a game, the Leafs let him down… one more time!

Church

Dolf regularly attended Church with Dette. The traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church held a firm place in Dolf’s heart, mind and belief system and together, Dolf and Dette rarely missed a Church service, often taking time to share perspective with the Priest and of course, an appropriate joke or anecdote.

Relationships and Legacy

The bonds forged and nurtured over a lifetime form the true measure of one’s legacy. Dolf was a steadfast friend, a devoted partner, a loving parent, the BEST grandparent, a wonderful husband, and a cherished confidante. Dolf’s wisdom was often sought in times of uncertainty, his heartfelt laughter, a constant source of comfort on difficult days. Friends and family remember evenings spent in conversation, playing euchre around the kitchen table at the cottage he built on Lower Buckhorn Lake, holidays marked by his many thoughtful gestures, and a love that never failed, even in the face of a severe health crisis and adversity.

Through triumphs and tribulations, Dolf’s unwavering support provided a foundation of strength. Dolf’s legacy is not found merely in accomplishments but in the lives transformed by his presence - the encouragement offered, the dreams supported, the love given freely and without condition.

A Lasting Legacy

As we say farewell to Dolf, we are not left with a void but with a legacy that continues to inspire. The seeds Dolf planted - of kindness, curiosity, great humour, intellectual curiosity, ‘stick-to-it-ness,’ profound perseverance in the face of adversity, and love - will flourish for generations to come. The world is richer for Dolf having been in it, and those who walk in Dolf’s footsteps will carry forward the light, integrity and love that he so generously shared.

May we honour Dolf’s memory not only in his words but in his deeds - seeking every day to reflect the values Dolf embodied and the dreams he held close.

In our grief, may we find comfort in the knowledge that a life so well lived never truly fades; it echoes in the laughter of his children, grandchildren and all who knew Dolf, the beauty of a blooming garden, a fixed snowblower, or a ‘pumped up' bicycle tire, the bonds of friendship, and the enduring strength of family.

As we gather to celebrate the life of our dearly departed Dolf, let us remember not only the sadness of parting but also the immeasurable joy of having known and loved such a remarkable soul. Dolf’s story continues, written in the lives of all that he touched, now and always.

As Gary so insightfully shared - He was our Dad. He was our Opa and he was Adolf… and, he was truly loved by all.

Forever in our Hearts. Our memories of you will be our greatest blessings.

In memory of Adolf, donations may be made to the Heart and Storke foundation.