Obituary of Imre Weisenbacher

WEISENBACHER- Imre (Jimmy)  passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on November 7th, 2021 at the age of 87.

Son of the late Elizabeth (nee Takacs) and Janos Weisenbacher. Loving husband of 60 years to Gizela (nee Thiess). Adoring father to Helena (Dr. Darryl) Toth and the late Dr. Arthur Weisenbacher. Cherished grandfather (“Opapa”) to Giselle, Julianna, Heidi, and Tessa. Best friend to Imre who passed away back home in Hungary last year.

He was born in Kisber, Hungary in 1934 into a family of incredible cooks. Jimmy grew up raising livestock and working in his family’s restaurant and butcher shop. He also played on the Hungarian national football team. In 1956, he was in the army during the Revolution when the Red Army took over Budapest. He escaped on motorcycles with his brother-in-law and worked in Salzburg, Austria for a couple years after that. He immigrated to Canada and met Gizela in Montréal at a dance club on November 7th, 1960. He proposed within nearly a month of knowing her because he was rather impatient and she was strong and devastatingly beautiful, and then again on January 27, 1961. They married on May 20th later that year. He only wore tailor made suits back then and had impenetrable taste. Gizela worked as a nurse, and still does, and they eventually opened up Bonnet’s Meat & Delicatessen on St. Clair Avenue in Toronto. Gizela and Jimmy moved on to raise their children in Windsor, where they eventually settled down. After retiring from his career as a butcher, Jimmy worked at his son-in-law’s dermatology practice for 20 years and greeted everyone in the office with his trademark smile and unforgettable sense of humor.

For years he drove Julianna to her dance studio, and then to her art lessons across the city on Saturday afternoons. He rode his bike over to his daughter’s house to bring over fresh bread. He was a strong swimmer and would dive head first into the ocean’s crashing waves. He loved spending time outdoors tending to his impressive vegetable garden and would walk carefully and slowly as he inspected Gizela’s equally impressive rose garden. His favourite colour was red and he had piercing blue eyes. Jimmy was very fond of animals, and babies made his heart melt. He danced with Heidi and his other granddaughters in the front hallway of their house to songs he made up on the spot. He was always making up silly words and stories and was far more clever than he ever got credit for. Most notable of the dances was something he called the “boat dance”, which was different every time but the girls didn’t notice or care because he made them laugh so hard every time. He was always trying to make them laugh and loved it when they were all home together. Jimmy loved to cook for his family, which was his favourite thing in the world to do, and he was an incredible cook. Some of the family’s favourites include his veal stew and chicken schnitzel. Darryl especially loved his lecsó. He would often sit outside and longingly stare up at the sky, perhaps looking for his son in the clouds whom he terribly missed. Giselle helped care for Jimmy during the last year of his life with the same tenderness he raised his children and granddaughters with. Giselle, Julianna, and Heidi are so grateful for the impact he’s had on them, and for the repertoire of colourful memories and rich lessons that they are all now left with.

Quietly fierce, brave, stoic, and hilariously witty. A kindred spirit. The epitome of a “man’s man” but was the sweetest, most gentle soul who lived and breathed for his family. Although we often tend to feel like there is never enough time, life is actually really long, especially if you’re as lucky as he was. And in the end the only thing that matters is the love we have and give. To have and to give. Despite being part of a small family, there has always been an abundance of love. The family’s world feels much smaller and duller now. Not even he could defy time.

A heartfelt thanks to the devoted team of healthcare workers that cared for Jimmy: Dr. Carmen Ianicello, Dr. Avi Wasserman, Dr. Rob Biswas, Dr. John Minardi, Dr. Allison Hobbs, and Dr. Caroline Hamm; nurses David and Amanda; as well as his personal support workers Khagenbra, Kristy, and Bhola, who Jimmy referred to as “Dr. Bhola”. They all went beyond what anyone could ask for and made the difficult times easier with their kindness and compassion. Sincerest gratitude for Leon Janisse and the team from Windsor Chapel Funeral Homes for providing the family with the utmost comfort and care during their time of grief. A special thank you to Father Larry Brunet for leading the funeral service and helping to celebrate the beautiful life of Jimmy. The family deeply thanks everyone who has sent over flowers and food throughout the week. We will continue to keep all of these wonderful people in our thoughts and prayers.

A private service was held on Wednesday, November 10th for family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre or the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Foundation to honor Jimmy’s legacy. Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.windsorchapel.com Arrangements entrusted to Windsor Chapel (Banwell Chapel).