Mac Voisin

Mac — Betty. [Group Sheet]

1. Kelly Voisin

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-162809

Notes:

Lifetimes: Frank Voisin's love of work led to successful development company

By Valerie Hill Special to the Record

If Frank Voisin had a single catchphrase that summed up his life, it was "work is fun."

Work. Hard work. Work that started when he was a little boy growing up on a Crosshill farm and continued into his 20s when he was building houses with his wife Glady Voll. That hard work led Frank to start a development company, one that over the years erected hundreds of houses plus retail developments.

Then there was his work taking care of his family of five birth kids and four adopted, along with one foster kid, Vince Varga. Frank and Glady never differentiated: they were all Glady and Frank's kids, period.

"Frank was an incredible man of integrity, charity and diligence," said Varga. "I look at Glady and Frank as wonderful people."

Varga had been taken in by the Voisins when his mom was in hospital and his dad abandoned the family. The couple treated Varga as a son. Not having his own father in his life, Vince looked to Frank for guidance.

"I couldn't have had a better role model. I'm eternally grateful," said Varga.

Frank was born into poverty on Aug. 11, 1922, in Waterloo, one of Anna and Urban Voisin's six children. They moved to a small farm when he was an infant. Growing up poor with no toys, Frank convinced himself that work was the fun he was seeking. Then he learned he could earn money by working and that it was a path out of poverty.

The family returned to Waterloo when Frank was four. As a kid, he worked in his grandmother's grocery store. After graduating from high school and being recognized for his exceptional math skills, Dominion Rubber hired him as a planner. Life was improving, and about to get even better.

The first time Frank saw Glady Voll was at a picnic in 1935 when he watched her win a foot race. Five years later, he saw her again at a dance. Frank was brave enough to ask the lovely brunette for a spin around the dance floor. Glady was an excellent dancer. Frank, not so much.

With the idea of improving their financial situations, the couple scraped together $250 and bought a lot on Glasgow Street, planning to build a house to sell.

Though not yet married, they were partners in this new housing venture, launching in 1945 what would eventually become Voisin Developments.

They soon sold that lot, finding a better, albeit more expensive location on Earl Street where they built their first house. They secured a small mortgage that served as a line of credit, providing funds that could be used for building materials.

Frank drew up the design and headed to the library, learning what he could about each of the trades, from electrical to bricklaying. He would do the work himself.

Glady worked at Kaufman Rubber, helping Frank during her free time. She stirred the mortar, hauled the bricks, did whatever was needed and never complained.

They married on Feb. 23, 1946, and were together until Glady's death in 2008.

By the 1950s Frank was designing and building 125 homes a year, and his company was the largest home builder in the twin cities. His memoir lists the addresses of the 943 homes his company built, plus two shopping centres. He purchased hundreds of acres, patiently waiting until the time was ripe for development. The business, still run by the Voisin family, continues to expand on the patriarch's vision.

Granddaughter Julie Voisin remembered working with Frank while developing the Sunrise Plaza. "I was amazed by his attention to detail," she recalled. "Every number mattered; every parking space mattered."

Frank was in his early 80s at the time and still came to work every morning, not going home for lunch.

He was also a man of some eccentricities. Always looking for ways to save time, he would only wear beige and had several shirts, pants and shoes \emdash all identical \emdash so there were no time wasted figuring out what to wear. Healthy eating and exercise were also important to Frank, lessons he taught his family. For the grandkids it was "always eat your broccoli." He also taught them it was OK to be a little silly.

Son Greg Voisin in a eulogy spoke of his dad's early successes as a builder and said that by his 40s, he had started to focus on charity work, supporting St. Mary's hospital, churches, the Carmelite Sisters and other Catholic institutions, including schools and a counselling centre. His philanthropy did not go unnoticed.

"The highlight was the papal honour as a Knight Commander with Star of St. Gregory the Great," conferred in 2011, said Greg. There's even a Kitchener park named after the family, on land Frank donated.

In August, the family celebrated Frank's 100th birthday. Frank died just two months later on Oct. 13.

Valerie Hill is a former Record reporter. She can be reached at vmhill296@gmail.com.

Lifetimes: Frank Voisin's love of work led to successful development company (2022). Available at: https://www.therecord.com/life/2022/10/31/lifetimes-frank-voisins-love-of-work-led-to-successful-development-company.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=therecord_life (Accessed: 3 November 2022).

________________________



Frank W. Voisin August 11, 1922 \endash October 13, 2022


Having celebrated his 100th birthday a short time ago, our beloved "Papa" died peacefully on Thursday, October 13, 2022, surrounded by his family at his home on Juniper Cres., where he lived since 1961.

Frank was the firstborn of Urban and Anna (nee Ebert) Voisin in Waterloo. He is lovingly remembered by his sisters Eileen (Joe Pohl) and Kathy (Bill McGlynn), and predeceased by sisters Dorothy (Merrill Dillon), and Anne (Erick Hutter), and brother Louis (Clare).

Frank had a long, prolific, and purposeful life. He was married to the love of his life Glady Voll for 62 wonderful years. They were loving parents to Greg (Marie Durrer), Mac (Marcela Bahar), Anne (George Lavallee), Jane (Dr. Tom Simpson), George (who died in 2008 and was married to Elaine Kuntz), Guy (Anne Distler), Tina (Perry Van Arsdale), Paul (who died in 2010), Chris (Heather Sampson), and Vince Varga (Cathie Cullen).

Frank is adored by his 26 grandchildren: Cynthia Voisin (Dr. John Sehl), Steve Voisin (Shevaun Day), Tanya Voisin (Scott Wigle), Julie Voisin (Dr. Tyler Zapton), Frank Voisin (Jessica Harris); Fr. Adam Voisin, Angie Voisin (Shawn Cote); Dr. Chad Lavallee (Tonya Robertson), Avril Lavallee (Steve Hatton), Brent Lavallee (Marlene Dale), Mary Anne Lavallee (Jeff Corbett); Christie Doneff (Brandon Doneff), Michelle Nowak (Dave Green), Kyle Simpson (Angela Stevens), Rob Nowak, (Stephanie Martin), Greg Nowak; Ben Voisin (Sabina Kayser), Heather Voisin (James Aru), Harmony Voisin (Nick Orlando), Simon Voisin (Marisa Krulicki); Kelly Voisin, Jenna Voisin (Jay Becker); Andrea Bester (Scott Handfield), Amy Bester; Megan Smith (Dylan Smith) and Nicholas Voisin.

Frank was blessed with 50 great-grandchildren: Olivia, Claudia, Anthony, Mary Ella and Jack Sehl; Aedyn, Skyler, Ashley and Ireland Voisin; Cole, Eric, Morgan, Sydney, Lincoln, Reese and Brooke Wigle; Turner, Cooper and Camden Zapton; Kate and James Voisin; Brodie and Lily Cote; Alex, Keira, Sophie and Chloe Lavallee; Alina Hatton; Lauren Lavallee; Jade and Carter Doneff; Quinten Martin; JT and Addison Simpson; Grace and Ava Voisin; Georgia, Slade and Tallinn Aru; Mila, Marshall, Elaina and Nicholas Orlando; Brooklyn, Paige and Taylor Becker; Ayla and Elle Handfield; Cole and Liam Smith.

Frank had humble beginnings living through the Great Depression, yet he was ambitious to get ahead. At the age of 4, he walked around in his Grandma Ebert's grocery store looking for work. Eventually he delivered groceries on a bicycle and embraced the motto "work is fun". He learned about construction and was self-taught. He built his first house at the age of 22 and Glady was always at his side. By 1958, his company built nearly 1000 homes in Forest Hill, Forest Heights, and Lincoln Heights in Kitchener-Waterloo. He also built the Forest Hill and Sunrise Shopping Centres.

Frank was a true community builder and left a great legacy for his family and community. He cared deeply for St. Mary's General Hospital and served in various positions in committees and on the Board for several decades. He was on the building committees for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Waterloo and St. Francis Church in Kitchener. He was instrumental in building the monastery for the Carmelite Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Agatha and maintained an active involvement for 50 years on the Committee for the Sisters.

Frank was a man of deep faith. Because of his exceptional efforts in the dedication to the Catholic Church and the Hamilton Diocese, he was awarded a Papal Honour as a Knight Commander with Star of St. Gregory the Great by Bishop Anthony Tonnos (1989) and Bishop Douglas Crosby (2011).

While Frank kept preoccupied with his work, he found the time to have a full and rich personal life. Frank had plenty of interests including flying, healthy eating, and world events. He travelled extensively with Glady and their home was always the hub of activity.

Visitations will be held at Henry Walser Funeral Home 507 Frederick St. Kitchener (519-749-8467) on Thursday, October 20 and Friday October 21, 2022 from 4:00-7:00pm. Vigil service will be held at 7:00pm on Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, 173 Lourdes St, Waterloo on Saturday October 22, 2022 at 10:00am with Fr. Adam Voisin presiding. Afterward, everyone is invited to join the family in the parish hall for a reception. Private interment with the family will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Kitchener.

In honour of Frank's legacy, donations will be graciously accepted by the Carmel of St. Joseph and St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation.

Frank Voisin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (2022). Available at: https://www.henrywalser.com/memorials/frank-voisin/5045624/index.php (Accessed: 3 November 2022).

Frank married Glady Rose Voll 23 Feb 1946. Glady (daughter of Augustus Alexander "Alex" Voll and Cecelia Teresia Schmuck) was born 10 Mar 1921, , Ontario, Canada; died 7 Sep 2008; was buried , Woodland Cem., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Glady Rose Voisin
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-144728
• Residence: 1921, 4 Dekay St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Notes:

VOISIN, Glady Rose (Voll) - March 10, 1921 - September 7, 2008.

The family of Glady Rose Voisin is saddened by the passing of the Matriarch of their family on Sunday, September 7, 2008. She was blessed with a painless and peaceful death at home. Glady and Frank were married for 62½ wonderful years. There were no two people in love as much as Glady and Frank. They met in 1944 at the Summer Gardens which was a dance hall in Kitchener when Frank asked Glady to dance and the romance began. The dance turned into a lifetime of happiness for them. Glady and Frank had nine children. She made a loving home for all of them and their friends. She was the chief chauffeur, cook and care-giver. The focus of her life was Frank and her children. Glady is survived by her husband, Frank Voisin and their children, Greg and Marie Voisin, Mac Voisin, Anne and George Lavallee, Jane and Dr. Tom Simpson, Elaine Voisin (widow of George), Guy and Anne Voisin, Tina and Perry Van Arsdale, Paul and Tammy Voisin, Chris Voisin and dear family friends, Vince and Cathie Varga. Glady was predeceased by her son, George, in July 2008. Glady had 28 grandchildren, Cynthia and Dr. John Sehl, Steve and Shevaun Voisin, Tanya and Scott Wigle, Julie and Dr. Tyler Zapton, Frank and Danielle Voisin, Father Adam Voisin, Angela and Shawn Cote, Dr. Chad and Tonya Lavallee, Avril Lavallee, Brent and Crystal Lavallee, Mary Ann Lavallee, Christie and Brandon Doneff, Michelle Nowak, Greg Nowak, Rob Nowak, Kyle Simpson, Ben and Sabina Voisin, Dr. Heather Voisin and her fiancé Dr. James Aru, Harmony Voisin, Simon Voisin, Kelly Voisin, Jenna Voisin, Andrea Bester, Amy Bester, Meghan Voisin, Nicholas Voisin, Stefanie and Michael Kangas, and Chris and Suzanne Varga; and 20 great-grandchildren. Glady, the daughter of Alex Voll and Cecelia Schmuck, was born and raised in Kitchener. She is survived by her sister, Rita Karges, and by her brothers, Wilbert Voll and Carl and his wife Agnes Voll. She was predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Kraft, Bernice White, Ollie Pfeffer, and her brother, Gerald Voll. Gladys' greatest inspiration was her religion - she attended Mass faithfully and prayed to her friend, St. Anthony, for her friends, family and others who needed assistance. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes. Gladys' energy was unfailing and an inspiration to all. She crowded five lifetimes into one. Visitation will be at The Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home , 621 King St. W., Kitchener on Tuesday, September 9, from 7-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, September 10, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., where parish prayers will be recited at 8: 45 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 173 Lourdes St., Waterloo, on Thursday September 11 at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Catholic Family Counseling Center or The Carmel of St. Joseph as expressions of sympathy. On line condolences may be made at www.mem.com. Once you remember that every day is a gift You will never have a bad day.

Waterloo Region Record - Sep. 8, 2008

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-160563
• Residence: 1911, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Urban married Anna Chrysantia Ebert 20 Jun 1921, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna was born 27 Jul 1901, , Germany; died 1980. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna Chrysantia Voisin
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170931

Other Events:

• Name: Alex Voll
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29040
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Rubber Worker, Factory
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mattres Maker, Mattres Factory
• Residence: 1921, 4 Dekay St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Augustus married Cecelia Teresia Schmuck 23 Jun 1913, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Cecelia (daughter of Bernhart L. "Barney" Schmuck and Mary Ann Gehl) was born 28 Sep 1889, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 24 Apr 1980, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Cecelia Teresia Voll
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57140
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1921, 4 Dekay St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Notes:

VOLL, Mrs. Cecilia - At St. Raphael's Nursing Home, on Thursday, April 24, 1980, the former Cecilia Schmuck, formerly of 4 DeKay St., Kitchener, aged 90 years.

A member of St. Francis RC Church. Born in Woolwich Township.

Mother of Gerald of Buffalo, N.Y., Wilbert and Carl, both of Kitchener, Dorothy (Mrs. Ralph Kraft) of RR 2, Waterloo, Bernice (Mrs. Harry White), Rita (Mrs. George Karges), Gladys (Mrs. Frank Voisin), and Olive (Mrs. Harold Pfeffer), all of Kitchener; sister of Mrs. Clara Hummel of Guelph and Mrs. Lily Crips of Fling, Mich.; 38 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren also survive. She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander Voll; her parents, Bernard schmuck and the former Mary Gehl; four brothers and six sisters.

Friends called at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home, 621 King St. W., Kitchener. Parish prayers were said at the funeral home on Friday, April 25 at 8 pm. Prayers were said at the funeral home on Saturday, April 26, followed by a funeral mass at St. Francis RC Church. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.

Elmira Signet Apr 30 1980 pg 19

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-47273P
• Occupation: 1901, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1921, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farming, Farm
• Residence: 1921, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

William — Amalia Margaretha "Emma" Freiburger. Amalia (daughter of Jacob Freiburger and Louisa Moser) was born 27 Jun 1874, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1931; was buried , St. Clements Roman Catholic Cemetery, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Amalia Margaretha "Emma" Voisin
• Name: Emma Freiberger
• Name: Emma Freiburger
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-103927P
• Residence: 1911, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1921, St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29032
• Residence: 1861, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Occupation: 1877, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1901, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; labourer, streets
• Occupation: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer, building
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Laborer
• Residence: 1921, 96 Shantz St., Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Peter married Josephine Dietrich 6 Feb 1877, St. Agatha, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Josephine (daughter of Nicholaus G. Dietrich and Maria Theresia "Mary" Gehrig) was born 20 Feb 1858, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died Bef 1921. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Josephine Voll
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-29033
• Residence: 1861, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1871, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1877, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90216843
• Name: Barney Schmuck
• Name: Berny L. Schmuck
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57134P
• Immigration: 1858
• Immigration: 1858, , Canada
• Naturalization: 1858, , Canada
• Residence: 1871, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; RC
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; ..... Maker
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Trunk Maker
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Occupation: 1901, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Retired: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Bernhart married Mary Ann Gehl 6 May 1878, Freiburg (Woolwich Township formerly Waterloo Township), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Mary (daughter of Francis "Frank" "Franz" Gehl and Mary Anna Reinhardt) was born 25 Jan 1858, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 21 Sep 1923, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Saint Boniface Roman Catholic Cemetery, Maryhill, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90219007
• Name: Mary Ann Schmuck
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-57135P
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1911, West Montrose, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic
• Residence: 1921, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Roman Catholic