SCHMIDT, Werner  - Our talented brother, Werner Schmidt died on February 9, 2024, in Tottenham, ON.

Werner was born in Zaandam, The Netherlands, on October 18, 1951.

He and his family immigrated to Canada in 1957 and in 1967 the family moved to the suburbs of Chicago.

Werner attended elementary and high school in Toronto, high school in Wheeling, Illinois, and graduated high school in Deerfield, Illinois.

With his mother and brothers, Werner returned to Canada in 1970, living in Burlington, where he studied Graphic Design at Sheridan College. Werner later studied Fine Arts at Ontario College of Art and attended the prestigious Gerrit Rietvelt Academy in Amsterdam to study Sculpture.

Werner continued his education in art by taking the Welder Fitter program at George Brown College. Always ready to experience new things,

Werner worked as a scoop tram operator in an underground nickel mine in Sudbury, was a welder/breaker of Great Lakes Freighters and helped design and build Toronto School Board play structures before becoming a full-time artist.

Werner designed and built many large projects, including a wrought iron bower for St. James Park in Toronto, props for Desrosier Dance Troupe, sets for various theatre companies, film, and commercial locations, and displays in the Olympia York Queens Quay art department.

People in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood will remember his sixteen-foot whale sculpture that advertised a sea food restaurant, in Mirvish Village.

Werner leaves behind his brothers, Erik and René (Shirley); and nephews, Adrian, Nathan, Ryder and Daniel. A sale of Werner's art and a Memorial for his Life is planned for July 20th, in Tottenham.

Friends and well-wishers are welcome from 1-4 p.m. Call René at 613-885-1100 for details. - Erik Schmidt, René Schmidt