Obituary of Leo Gaiswinkler

Leopold (“Leo”) Franz Johann GaiswinklerLeopold F.J. Gaiswinkler passed away on December 27, 2016, at age 88, at the Chatham–Kent Hospice. Son of the late Leopold and Stefanie Gaiswinkler of Austria. Survived by his sister Elfride Flink (née Gaiswinkler) and husband Alfred Flink, brother Josef Gaiswinkler (predeceased December 2014) and wife Hannelore, and nephews and nieces in Austria. For over 65 years, dearest husband and friend of Eugenie (“Jenny”) (née Arndt). Loving father of two children, Monica Gaiswinkler Easton and her husband R. Michael Easton of Sudbury, and Andrew Gaiswinkler and his wife Kimberly of Chatham. Sadly missed by three grandchildren, Elyse Gaiswinkler, Lauren Gaiswinkler and her husband Matthew Babcock, and Evan Gaiswinkler, and by his great-granddaughter Eden Gaiswinkler Babcock. His extended family includes Mrs. Gail Keller, mother of Kimberly, Susan and Tracy, their husbands and children. Soon after immigrating to Canada in 1953, Leo was exposed to the oil and gas industry at its infancy, He was the first permanent company diver for Consolidated West Petroleum, which was a pioneer in Lake Erie offshore gas exploration, and was a well-known diver. In 1974, he established his own companies that included being the Ontario Manager for a number of non-resident oil and gas well owners. He was, at one time, the largest oil and gas operator and producer in the Ontario oil patch. In recognition of his life-long involvement in the Ontario oil and gas industry, in 1993, Leo was the recipient of the “Award of Merit” from his peers of the Ontario Petroleum Institute. Leo still had a keen and active interest in the industry until the end. He was a member of St. Agnes Parish in Chatham. The family is grateful to Dr. Zeke Milkovic and the health-care providers at the Chatham–Kent Health Alliance and to Dr. Robert Mayo and the amazing staff at the Chatham–Kent Hospice who provided Leo with such sensitive and respectful comfort in his last days. Friends and relatives may visit at the Funeral Home, 156 William St. S. Chatham (519-352-5120) on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 pm, where Vigil Prayers will be offered at 3 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 11 am in St. Agnes’ Church, Chatham. Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Chatham. Donations to the Chatham Kent Hospice or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.