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Josef Buob
January 29, 1937 - July 6, 2013
The family sadly announces that Josef Buob, age 76, resident of O’Connor Township
passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2013 at the TBRHSC. Joe was the 7th of 8 children
born to Gebhard and Bertha Buob in Rorschach, Switzerland. He developed his passion
for gardening at an early age, working in the family orchard and garden. He went to
agricultural college and worked with his brother Paul in his greenhouse business. In
1955, at the age of 18, he followed his brother Karl to Canada. They worked in the
tobacco fields of Southern Ontario before heading north to work for the Kimberly Clark
bush camps in the Longlac area. He met his loving wife and partner, Erika Nitsche, a
German immigrant, and in 1959, they were married in a double wedding ceremony with
his sister Berty and her husband, Max Scheiwiller. They settled in O’Connor Township in
1963, where they raised their four children.
His love of gardening developed into a small hobby farm with chickens, rabbits and acres
of vegetables and flowers. He also spent many years selling bedding plants from his
greenhouse to friends and neighbours. He enjoyed gathering firewood and tested the
limits of many of his vehicle’s ability to carry his heavy loads. He continually amazed us
with his weird and wonderful inventions.
Joe was employed by CanCar/Bombardier as a leadhand building tree farmers, subway
cars and GO Transit trains. He retired in 1998, after 34 years of dedicated service. In his
retirement, Joe kept very busy with all his hobbies as well as helping friends and
neighbours in his church and community.
His lifelong love of travel took him through Canada, camping and canoeing from coast to
coast. He considered B.C. his second home and visited the Rocky Mountains 11 times.
He also travelled to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Barbados and Mexico.
His family was his pride and joy; always putting them first and teaching good morals and
values. He loved spending time with his 8 grandchildren, sharing with them his warm
presence and appreciation for nature.
In more recent years, when he was unable to enjoy more physical activities, he turned to
writing. He spent many hours lovingly documenting his memoirs and writing poetry for
his family.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Erika, children Monica (Eddy) Van
Ramshorst, Andy (Lorna) Buob, Janet (Vince) Dubray, and Diana (Bob) Jacobs.
Grandchildren Adam and Kristen Bewcyk, Natalie and Jesse Buob, Shannon and Dylan
Dubray, and Alex and Ryan Jacobs. Siblings Martha Wick (Goderich, ON), Agnes
Speck, and Paul Buob (Switzerland) and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by
brothers Karl and Gebhard, sisters Berty and Clarie.
Special thanks to Joe’s niece Susan Buob-Corbett for her excellent medical attention and
loving care of her uncle throughout his final years; to Dr. Melton, Dr. Facca, nurse Katie
Nyberg and the TBRHSC; to his church family, friends, and neighbours for their
thoughts, prayers and acts of kindness. Internment will take place at O’Connor Cemetery
with luncheon to follow at O’Connor Community Centre. Donations can be made to the
Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Forever in our hearts.”