Thomas Rolf Bohm

It is so sad to have to share with the world that we have lost a wonderful man. Thomas Rolf Bohm passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 15, 2020. We are all reeling from this incredible loss as the world lost some of its sparkle. Our family would love to share with you just a glimpse into this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law and friend that we were incredibly blessed to know and love. He was born in Holland on January 3, 1931. He grew up in a family of five children. These facts do not express the depth of the man he was, but simply set the stage for appreciating how much he accomplished in his 89 years.

I spent my life trying to exemplify the good traits he had…he loved deeply, much more deeply that I have ever witnessed a husband love a wife. He was devoted to family. He made it his life’s purpose to build a home filled with love and none of us can deny that he accomplished this.

He was brave-at 14 he walked for six months from Poland to northern Germany during the war without any money or food or assistance. In fact, a group of other displaced children followed him because he was a natural leader. It was a time that affected him deeply and the scars of that time never fully healed. He only rarely shared of the atrocities he witnessed that instilled in him a strong protective nature and a distaste for injustice.

He was one of the most intelligent people I know. He came to Canada on his own at the very young age of 19. He was a lumberjack but he had plans for something more. He worked hard, because he also had an incredible work ethic, and saved his money for the future family he was already looking forward to having. On a trip back to Germany to visit his parents, he fell in love at first sight. She was the love of his life until his very last breath after 62 years of marriage. He proposed and headed back to Canada to save up to buy her a house and bring her to Canada. He started a mushroom farm by learning about the business from scratch: reading all that he could find and asking anyone who knew anything about the business. Then, he built the barns single-handedly. He also built his first home shortly after starting his family. He had no schooling in architecture or building, but he thought it through and figured it out. He promised his wife that he would one day build her a castle and after he sold the farm, he did just that. This home was awe-inspiring and a challenge to build, but again, he amazed many at his skills and abilities. He began working as a landscape architect and became proficient in all native plants-he knew the latin names for each plant too! There was hardly a question he couldn’t answer. But he was humble enough to never pretend to know an answer if he did not.

He was honest and dependable. He had integrity and loved justice. He read voraciously although he only made it to grade 8 in school. He never was prideful and never acted like he was something he was not.

He loved to laugh and make people laugh. Our family joked-that seems to be the language we speak best. Everyone who met him, saw that mischievous sparkle in his eye as he told a joke or when he was being charming…and he was very charming! He had a special place in his heart for little children. He had a heart of gold. If you needed anything, he would be there for you, even if he never met you before. If you needed a shirt, he would take his off and give it to you. He built one more house that was grander that the last and had such beautiful landscaping-it was the pinnacle of all he had learned.

In his more recent years, age slowed him but the sparkle in his eye and his smile was a window to see the man we knew and admired. He easily said “I love you” and was so appreciative of his family and friends. He had a lovely singing voice and although it became quieter with age, I really appreciated singing together and treasure those memories.

He leaves behind the love of his life, Helga, adoring daughter Verona (Ken), beloved son Tony (Danielle) and grandchildren Veronika, Tianna, Brennan, Alaina and Ariana and extended family and friends who are all fortunate to be loved by him.

And now we walk the path of grief with the potholes of tears that seem to be unavoidable. Although we feel such a deep loss, we are already so grateful to have received so much love and been part of a family that truly care about each other and we know that it all started with him and his desire to create a home filled with love. Rest in peace until we are together again, Papa.