Obituary of Rudolph (Rudy) Anthony Neumann

NEUMANN, Rudolph (Rudy) Anthony - Well, it was quite the ride while it lasted but all good things must end. Rudolph (Rudy) Anthony Neumann, born in St. Catharines in 1928, recently left Garden City Manor during the evening of October 28, 2015 after a prolonged and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is now throwing sticks again for his faithful dog BB. The fourth child of Peter and Mary, Rudy enjoyed a somewhat rowdy childhood with his siblings Joseph (eldest), PauIine, Edna, Pete, Ron and young Carolyn. Rudy was predeceased by his sister Carolyn and brother Joseph. Rudy swept the lovely Jeanne Hilda Kranz off her feet in 1953 and settled down in St. Catharines. They were best friends and lovers for more than 62 blissful years. Enamored by the peaceful setting and convenience to all things grand in Southern Ontario, he decided to set up a homestead in the St. Catharines area. Employed for 42 years by the then Thompson Products Ltd., he was a strong supporter of the Old Guard and various other local community groups. Like all true Canadian males, Rudy enjoyed playing and watching hockey. His favourite team being the Detroit Red Wings, he relished whenever his Red Wings gave the Vancouver Canucks a good thrashing. Whenever this happened, and it happened often, his eldest son in Victoria could expect a late night post-game phone call whereby Rudy would gently enquire as to whether or not he had watched the game. Rudy and Jeanne travelled extensively together throughout Europe, their favoured destination. They enjoyed spending time visiting relatives in Austria tracing family history and their respective heraldic roots. They savoured the timeless culture of the old renaissance cities with Rudy concentrating on exploring and sampling the local cuisine. Rudy was the ultimate "Do-It-YourseIfer" thoroughly enjoying time in his workshop puttering around and fixing things that weren't always broken. Fond of any and all power tools, by far his favourite was his mighty chainsaw, a device he utilized to wreck havoc upon his and neighbouring properties. Upon hearing this chainsaw start up, his dear neighbour Freida would immediately stop what she was doing and sit nervously by her windows anxiously monitoring his progress. On more than one occasion she had to run outside begging Rudy not to cut down one of her apple trees. Rudy never summated a mountain, won a national championship nor published prose but what he did accomplish was much more challenging and rewarding. He raised four children who have been best friends since birth, a truly remarkable feat in these times. Wayne (Wanda) of Victoria, B.C., Kim (Tim) of St. Catharines, Bryon (Karen) of Brantford and David (Heike) of Brisbane, Australia, meet annually for a family reunion and to enjoy Jeanne's home cooking … (A Joke). From 1954 through to the present day Rudy repeatedly and unanimously won the prestigious "Best Dad Ever" annual award ... as determined by his family. Rudy left a multi-generational legacy behind with grandchildren Andrea (Rene) of Playa del Carmen, Robert and Jennifer of Brantford, Sarah (Matt) of Brisbane and great grand children Siera of Playa del Carmen and Harlan of Victoria. He enjoyed spending time with his friends shooting billiards and was usually spinning a yarn or two and always stirring the pot. Among the many, many special people in his life were the gals at Garden City Manor who helped care for him during his twilight years: Lori, Val, Wendy, Zelka, Sue and Larisa, to name a few. They are living proof that angels are indeed amongst us. Chef Sylvia has lost her number one fan and will surely miss his enthusiastic anticipation of her extraordinary culinary creations .In accordance with Rudy's pre-planned arrangements; he was cremated and will rest at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a Memorial Service at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street St. Cathaines, on Friday, November 6th at 11:30a.m. followed by a celebration luncheon in the Kristen French Fellowship Hall at the funeral home. Everyone is welcome. In lieu of flowers, as per Rudy’s request, memorial donations to the Parkinson’s Society would be appreciated by the family.