Dr. Wolfgang Lixfeld passed away gently in the early morning hours of July 18, 2021, of complications from mesothelioma. He was in his favourite room in the house he designed and built, with his wife and children at his side. His last days were filled with laughter, love, gallows humour and the support of close friends and family from both far and near. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Lixfeld (Hagerman), son Jason and partner Andria Mitches, daughter Abigail and partner Nicolas Pham-Dinh, brother-in-law John and wife Cindi, brother Ulrich and sons Amadeus and Atticus and their families, and countless friends across the globe.

Wolf came into the world under extraordinary circumstances - born in a bomb shelter in war-ravaged Germany during an allied bombing run - he went on to lead a life that defied expectations. He was fearless in all endeavors and never wavered in the pursuit of an idea, no matter the obstacles. He was a gifted veterinary surgeon, a pioneer in cardiovascular research, and had an architect’s eye and vision. He was an audiophile, accomplished skier and sailboat racer. He loved the arts, especially pueblo pottery, and was a fanatical lover of German automobiles and Formula 1 racing. He was a devoted boss to a cast of characters at Renforth Veterinary Clinic, a (notorious) practice that he built with his wife Patty and operated for 34 years.

It’s hard to imagine the world without that imposing figure with the piercing blue eyes and furrowed brow holding court, the centre of every conversation. There is comfort in knowing his love, his light, and his legacy will live on through the improbable stories, the terrible jokes, the structures he built, and the lives he touched.

To remember him raise a glass of something amber, call up an old friend, do a good deed for a stranger without expectations, take that next step in pursuit of a dream, step on the accelerator, turn the music up to 11.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Trillium Hospital or planting a tree in his name.

A celebration of this extraordinary man will take place later this year. Until then, “May all your nickels land sunny side up.”