George Hans Wilde

George was born to Frieda and Johannes Wilde in Breslau, Germany. He was the adored brother to Margot, Rosemary, Marianne and Henry. Despite difficult times in Germany he stayed connected to his family and found refuge with his maternal grandparents. He fondly remembers his mother’s baking, days at the lake, and getting into mischief at the local museum.

 George was an avid reader from a young age and excelled in school. He also enjoyed the cinema and loved to act. George had several professional acting jobs including a role in a German movie! He then pursued post secondary legal studies to become a judge. However, his studies were cut short when he was drafted into the war. He was lucky to survive the war which included time as a POW. Afterwards his language skills led him to a job working for the Allied Control Council. After a few years he decided to seek out new opportunities in Canada.

He spent time in Montreal and Windsor before settling in Toronto. It was at the German Club in Toronto that he met a glamorous English model, Maureen Richards. He said it was love at first sight, and after a whirlwind courtship they got engaged, and married in 1960. 

They had two daughters, Louise & Lesley, and moved to Etobicoke where the girls could grow up along the Humber Valley. George worked in sales and management. In his spare time he enjoyed tennis, swimming, skiing and reading.  George and Maureen also loved to entertain and their parties were legendary! George was always popular for his good nature, keen intellect and warm sense of humour. Later in life he embraced a growing family which included his son in law, Gilbert, two precocious grandchildren, Keith and Megan, and their spouses, Emily and Eric. Recently, he was thrilled to welcome his first great grandchild, Violet. He enjoyed reading to her in German, spreading his love of reading to a fourth generation! He leaves a legacy of fond memories, and our love for him remains eternal!