Johann Seemayer, aged 93 years, passed away at Hogarth Riverview Manor, Thunder Bay, on January 12, 2025.
John was born on June 1, 1931 in Werschetz (Vrsac) in the Yugoslavian Banat, now Serbia. As his family was ethnic German, he was compelled to leave home in 1944 at the age of 13. He spent the next few years being moved across eastern Europe with other teenage boys from one camp to another, always having to re-start the same grade in school as he was never in one place long enough to complete it. He told adventurous stories of this time, from stealing firewood to keep from freezing to death and working for a peasant farmer for scraps of food, to riding on top of a railway boxcar and hiding from Russian soldiers while trying to get back to his home. His family never was allowed to return and he was eventually reunited with his parents in a refugee camp in Linz, Austria, where he completed his automotive mechanic apprenticeship. He emigrated as a displaced person to Canada in 1954. He knew only a few words of English and was given $20 in landing money. After a year in Winnipeg he moved to Atikokan, Ontario, where he began working on the dredges emptying Steep Rock Lake in the development of the Steep Rock Iron Ore mines. He was later employed as a heavy equipment mechanic by Caland Ore until the mine closed in 1979. A serious workplace accident in 1970 resulted in the loss of his knee and a fused left leg, but he never let that slow him down and he continued his daily 5 km walk into his 90's.
He met his wife, Charlotte, on a ship as he was crossing the Atlantic for his first visit back to Europe in 1961. He convinced her to leave her life in Nürnberg, Germany, and come to Atikokan. They were married in 1962 and had one daughter, Barbara. The family moved to Thunder Bay in 1981.
John and Charlotte enjoyed canoeing and fishing, gardening and travelling. They were active members of the German Canadian Association and volunteered as translators and drivers at many of the international ski events held in Thunder Bay. In later years they doted on their two granddaughters. The girls continued to light up Opa's life after the loss of his beloved Charlotte in 2002, and he taught them important life lessons: perseverance, hard work; how to change a tire, how to make goulash.
John continued to travel and work in his garden. He enjoyed disking and continued volunteering whenever asked. He was an invaluable resource when anything at all needed to be fixed and would come up with ingenious solutions to problems as he puttered in his shop. He was adored by a series of family dogs who recognized a kind and gentle soul, always with a cookie for them. His appetite for adventure did not wane as he joined on family vacations, hiking and boating trips. He was always willing and available to lend a hand for renovations and building projects, from kitchen renos to home additions to the construction of new camp buildings. He enjoyed being outdoors and was the keeper of many a campfire.
He was predeceased by his wife Charlotte, parents Katharina and Leopold Seemayer, and sister Trudy.
Survived and deeply missed by daughter Barbara (Brian Campbell) and granddaughters Christa Campbell (Brandon Figliomeni) and Alexandra Campbell (Rob Greifenhagen).
The family would like to thank the staff of 6 South Tulip, Hogarth Riverview Manor, for their care and compassion over the past two years.
Donations in John's memory may be made to St. Joseph’s Care Group or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
