Heinz-Otto Julius Schwecke, aged 88, died on May 22, 2023 at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington, Ontario. Born on October 21, 1934 in Siegburg, Germany, to Emmi (nee Kükelhaus) and Friedrich Schwecke, Heinz immigrated to Canada on April 14, 1958, arriving through Montreal and moving to Toronto. He settled in Barrie where he married June Marie Schwecke (nee Chappel) on September 9, 1960. They were married for 62 years until June passed away earlier this year on January 8, 2023.

Heinz will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man and provider to June and his three children Stefan Karl Heinz Schwecke, Angela Schwecke, and Kristen Melanie Schwecke. His wife and family shared his passion for adventure, the great outdoors, fishing, fun with friends and family, and his love of dogs. He was a beloved father-in-law to Vincenzo Lepera and proud grandfather to Victoria Angela Lepera and Brooke June Lepera.

A talented craftsman, Heinz leaves a legacy of beautiful and unique brickworks throughout the Simcoe County area. Later in life he devoted his considerable energy to volunteering and was awarded ‘The Driving Force’ award for setting up a transportation system and a farmer’s market for the elderly.

Heinz is survived by his great-nephew Dennis Hertel and family, and his great-niece Tanja Hertel, and his sister-in-law Ilene Crawford and brother-in-law Tim Crawford.

Heinz is predeceased by his sister Melanie Hertel and his brother-in-law Karl Hertel, his nephews Thomas Hertel and Christof Hertel, his sister-in-law Barbra Bernice Mckenzie and brother-in-law John Mckenzie, and brother-in-law Robert Thomas Chappel.
Heinz was cremated on May 26, 2023 in a private ceremony with arrangements entrusted to the Bay Gardens Funeral Home in Burlington, Ontario.

A Celebration of the Lives of Heinz and June Schwecke will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Barrie Golf and Country Club. Please RSVP to kschwecke@hotmail.com and aschwecke@hotmail.com.