Urban Peter Voisin

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]

Ann — Erick Joseph Hutter. [Group Sheet]

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:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170928

Notes:

Voisin, Louis J.

Passed away suddenly at home on Monday, December 22nd, 2014 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of the late Clara (nee Krulicki). Survived by his daughter Joanne and her husband John Askin. Proud grandfather of Libby. Dear brother of Frank Voisin, Dorothy Dillon (predeceased), Anne Hutter, Eileen Pohl and Kathy McGlynn. Uncle Louis will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and their families. Louis was a longtime member of St. John's Catholic Church and a veteran of WWII. Louis' family will receive relatives and friends from 12-12:45 pm on Monday December 29, 2014 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467. Funeral Service in the Chapel on Monday at 1 pm. Interment Parkview Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).

Louis Voisin - Monday, December 22nd, 2014 (2022). Available at: https://memorials.henrywalser.com/louis-voisin/2010287/obituary.php (Accessed: 3 November 2022).

Louis — Dorothy Stemmler. Dorothy was born 13 Jan 1929, Mildmay, Carrick Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario, Canada; died 11 Jul 1953, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Mount Hope Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Louis — Clara Krulicki. Clara (daughter of John Krulicki and Joan Tondyra) was born 5 Jan 1917, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 28 Jul 2010, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Dorothy Leona Dillon
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170922

Notes:

DOROTHY LEONA DILLON 1925 - 2007 Passed away, peacefully at K-W Health Centre of Grand River Hospital, on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the age of 81 years. Loving mother of Teresa Dillon, Robert Dillon and Richard Dillon and his wife Jane. Proud grandmother of Michael and Steven Dillon. Sadly missed by her sisters, Ann Hutter, Eileen (Joe) Pohl and Kathy (Bill) McGlynn, and her brothers, Frank (Glady) Voisin and Louis (Clare) Voisin. Predeceased by her husband, Merrill; her son, Peter; her parents, Urban and Anna Voisin and brother-in-law, Erick Hutter.Dorothy was an active member of the CWL of St. Francis of Assisi RC parish in Kitchener for more than 40 years. Friends are invited to share their memories of Dorothy with her family at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South in Waterloo on Monday, April 2 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The Memorial Mass to celebrate Dorothy's life and faith will be held at St. Francis of Assisi RC Church, 49 Blueridge Ave., Kitchener, on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Joseph de Viveiros as celebrant. Following the mass, friends are invited to join the family in the Parish Hall for refreshments and a time to visit. A private family interment will follow at Williamsburg Cemetery. Online condolences for the family and donations to St. Francis of Assisi Church or to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre can be arranged through the funeral home - 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com The family would like to thank Dr. Tan and the team at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, CCAC, and the staff at Grand River Hospital, 5 North for their excellent care.In living memory of Dorothy, a tree will be planted through the Trees for Learning Program by the funeral home.

\bThe Record Newspaper - Mar. 30, 2007 \b0

Dorothy — Merrill Eugene Dillon. Merrill (son of Jeremiah Joseph Dillon and Veda Mary Culham) was born 23 Sep 1924, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 1 Apr 1999, Freeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Mac — Betty. [Group Sheet]

Anne — George Lavallee. [Group Sheet]

Jane — Dr. Tom Simpson. [Group Sheet]

Guy — Anne. [Group Sheet]

Tina — Perry Van Arsdale. [Group Sheet]

Paul — Tammy. [Group Sheet]

Gregory married Marie Patricia Durrer (daughter of Alfred Werner Durrer and Anna Marie Fernbach) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Occupation: lawyer
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-176523

Notes:

VOISIN, George Gerard (February 20, 1953 - July 22, 2008) - George Voisin was the fifth child of Frank and Glady Voisin. He was the epitome of good health, exercise, and sensible eating. In spite of this, he passed away most unexpectedly while enjoying a round of golf on Tuesday afternoon. George is survived by his loving family, including his wife of 35 years, Elaine (nee Kuntz) and their four children: Ben Voisin and his wife Sabina who are expecting George's first grandchild; Dr. Heather Voisin and her fiancé, Dr. James Aru; Harmony Voisin; and Simon Voisin. His family and home were the centre of his universe. George is also survived by his parents, Frank and Glady Voisin, and his eight siblings: Greg and Marie Voisin, Michael Voisin, Anne and George Lavallee, Jane and Dr. Tom Simpson, Guy and Anne Voisin, Tina and Perry Arsdale, Paul and Tammy Voisin and Chris Voisin, and his father-in-law Lorne Kuntz and his wife Elaine, his mother-in-law Edna Kuntz, and their six children: Lorne Jr and his wife Joanne, Raymond and his wife Bonnie, Darlene, Diane Hinsperger and her partner Bryan Eckstein, Michael and Anne-Marie and her partner Svend Jacobsen. From an early age, it was obvious that George was blessed with a superior intellect. He skipped grade seven and jumped from grade eleven to university at the age of sixteen, received his Master's degree by twenty, and was working on a Ph.D. by twenty-one. He completed both his B.A. and M.B.A. at Wilfrid Laurier University; his M.A. at the University of Waterloo; and his LL.B. at the University of Windsor. His passion for the pursuit of knowledge and excellence was obvious in every area of his life. George was a noted tax lawyer and was respected across Canada as a leading authority in income tax and estate planning. Canadian tax law is an exceedingly complex specialty, and the fact that George was known as an authority in this area speaks to his great intellect, accomplishments, and dedication to his work. He was in partnership with Steve Lubczuk for 25 years. His staff knew, loved, and respected him, which speaks to the quality of person that George was. Together with his brother Greg, and their father Frank, George developed the Sunrise Shopping Centre in Kitchener, and owned and managed many other shopping centers across Ontario and Texas. George was a well-respected member of the community. In 2005, he was proud to be selected to join the Armenian community as an honourary member by Garo Bostajian. He was given the pseudonym 'Voisinian'. Additionally, he was a trusted and long-term advisor to the Roman Catholic Diocese and the Congregation of the Resurrection. George was also an active member of both the Kitchener-Waterloo Granite Club and Westmount Golf and Country Club. To many people, and most of all to his family and friends, George was a consigliere, a trusted advisor to whom they could turn for help with problems of a personal, legal or financial nature. His advice, which he came to with much thought and a few well-chosen words, would always be the perfect and final solution. His passing has left a huge void in the Voisin family, and indeed, the whole community. Visitations will be held at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home , 621 King St. W., Kitchener. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 24 from 7-9 p.m. and Friday, July 25 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Parish prayers will be recited at 8:45 p.m. on Friday. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 173 Lourdes St., in Waterloo on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the Westmount Golf and Country Club at 50 Inverness Dr., in Kitchener at 12 noon, where a special eulogy will be given by George's brother, Greg Voisin. Since George was integrally involved in and dedicated much of his time and expertise to helping the Catholic Family Counseling Centre and the Family Violence Project of Waterloo Region, donations to either charity on George's behalf will be welcomed. Online condolences at www.mem.com.

Waterloo Region Record 24 Jul 2008

George — Elaine Kuntz. (daughter of Lorne Simon Kuntz and Edna Mary Gmach) [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-170930

Kelly — Betty Lang. (daughter of Nicholas Lang and Kay) [Group Sheet]