May 1, 1933 - July 8, 2024
Walter Anton Rickli, of Waterdown, passed away July 8th at the age of 91, surrounded by family at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.
Born May 1st 1933, in Eschenbach, Switzerland, to Bertha Rüegg and Robert Rickli, our Grandpa was the third youngest of 11 kids, with whom he shared unique relationships and memories.
While living his younger years in Switzerland he pursued his passion of gardening with an apprenticeship and after years of dedication he became a Master Gardener. During this time, he met Agnes Gmür, the love of his life. As a pair, they decided to continue their lives in Canada, immigrating in 1955. While his strong Swiss accent might suggest otherwise, our Grandpa spent most of his life here in Canada.
Together they evolved the Rickli name into a new generation of incredibly proud Swiss-Canadian Ricklis. Our Grandma and Grandpa instilled Swiss values, traditions and most importantly Swiss recipes within our family, that we will happily continue. If you knew our grandparents, the dynamic of their marriage was clear, our Grandma was the boss. Working together they started New Style Gardening, a family run business for 62 years that continued through the generations of Rickli’s. It was here that we learned the meaning of hard work, honesty and integrity.
Our Grandpa loved to work and was known for designing and building breathtaking, award winning gardens. Whether at home or at the cottage (Paradise Island), he created stunning, beautifully maintained gardens for everyone to enjoy. On any given day locals drive or boat by in awe of his remarkable work. Rest days were rainy days, where he caught up on hundreds of phone calls to family and friends afar, making sure to never miss a birthday or special occasion.
Our Grandparents loved Christmas, and our Grandpa continued this tradition with our Grandma in spirit after she passed away in 2011. He didn’t just show up with a store-bought decoration; he hand picked evergreen branches, created an elaborate 3’ diameter Christmas wreath with lights intwined, pine cones, a bow on top, and hand delivered to his grandkids each year. No matter what the task, our Grandpa did everything at over 100%. As he would say “Whatever you do, do it the best you can”. His attention to detail, passion and talent were unmatched.
Our Grandpa was an immensely proud father to Walt Jr. and Ron, who he spoke to daily; morning wake up calls from Ron and 9:00pm chats with Walt. He continued to work alongside and spend meaningful time with his two sons until his final week. Whether it was morning coffees, lunch breaks, or Tuesday nights at the Ivy, the three Rickli boys continued to be a fundamental part of each others lives. They dedicated over 40 years together creating what we now know as Paradise Island, the family cottage on Jack Lake; a true testament to their hard work.
Together we are a total of six grandchildren; Brigette (Jarid), Steven (Erin), Veronica, Rob (Bronwyn), Taylor and Larissa. We shared market trips, late night bettmümpfeli’s, planting at the cottage, trips to Switzerland and California, Christmas Eves, kitchen table chats, apple fritters, countless rosemary cuttings, road trips, double doubles, many, many laughs and endless phone calls. A relationship we will never be able to replace.
Our Grandpa was a Great-Grandpa to Eliot, Harriet, Dorothy, Layla, Skylar and Greyson. He will be fondly remembered by Eliot and Harriet who enjoyed an egg carton full of home-grown, handpicked raspberries from Great-Grandpa with each visit.
While he never had a daughter, his niece Bea, who always called him Dad, closely filled that role. Helping him with the set-up and take-down of Christmas every year, and sharing Wednesday night phone calls that were a priority over all. Along with her husband Vic and her two kids Meagan and Mitch, they were an integral part of our Grandpa’s life and the Canadian Rickli dynamic.
Our Grandpa maintained many deep rooted relationships with friends and family across the globe and from this we learned the value of staying connected and continue to do the same in our own lives. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, godfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend; roles in which none he took lightly.
Our Grandpa was nothing short of extraordinary. Although he lived a very full life at the age of 91, if you knew our Grandpa, this was a life cut too short.
While we never imagined a life without him, in his honour, we will continue to prioritize family over all, live life with passion and carry on the Rickli name with immense pride. He will live on within us forever, and we smile knowing how lucky we were to share this life with him.
A celebration of life will be held in September with more information to follow. In memory of our Grandpa a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada in his name would be greatly appreciated.
Please sign the Tribute Wall at kitchingsteepeandludwig.com
