Dieter Engel

ENGEL, Dieter – June 1, 1944 – December 26, 2022

It is with broken hearts that we say goodbye to our dearly loved father, Dieter Engel, who passed away suddenly on December 26, 2022.

Dieter was born in Kladno, Czech Republic, where he spent the first 24 years of his life with his beloved mother and grandparents. He was always competing in sports, especially kayaking and skiing; racing (and winning) in both. He learned the finite skill of scientific glass blowing & used that skill in his hobby as well, creating beautiful pieces in blown glass.  In 1968, he escaped to Canada in search of a better life, settling in Toronto.  There built a career & a business around his expertise with glass, finally retiring from the University of Toronto. Dieter also continued to ski, becoming a racing coach at Craigleith. He was involved in many sports & was proud to be a part of Sokol, Canada, a gymnastics organization.  Dieter’s greatest joy was his 3 children. To them he passed along his love of sports & competition, the ease of laughter & the importance of family. 

Dieter leaves behind daughter Jennifer Toering (Russ), Paul Engel (Melanie) & Drew Engel and 4 beloved grandchildren, Jenna (Toering), Jack, Anneliese & Isabelle (Engel).

He loved hard, worked hard and played hard.  Those who knew him, know Dieter had a love for life & a kind heart.  He was happiest surrounded by family and friends; eating, telling stories, listening to music and laughing.  He always had a ready smile – some would even describe it as mischievous.  He made a difference to the lives of many people, and for that we are eternally grateful. Our lives have been changed forever.  He will be missed every day & remembered with love and happiness. Mám tě ráda.

The family will hold a private memorial & a celebration of life will be held at a later date and shared with extended family and friends.  Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL (519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com).

A tree will be planted in memory of Dieter Engel in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.