Hartwig, Wilfred John

Wilfred John Hartwig, age 88, of Stratford passed away peacefully at his residence on Thursday, March 30, 2017.  Born in Stratford, son of the late Clayton and Luella (Lackner) Hartwig.  Predeceased by his wife, the former Audrey Saunders, April 17, 1999.  Proud father of Mike (Susan) Hartwig, Clayton (Susan) Hartwig, John (Lynda Losse) Hartwig, Brenda (Bruce) Fortnum and Kim (Greg) Clark.  Survived by his 12 grandchildren and their spouses and 24 great-grandchildren.  Wilfred was the last surviving member of the Hartwig family.  He was predeceased by his siblings, Audrey Wilker, Maxine Hill, Evelyn Huffman and along with sisters-in-law Betty Saunders, Grace Spence, Marjorie Hergott and Lois Gilbert.  Wilfred was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #8 in Stratford; a member of the Army Navy & Air Force Unit 261 (Stratford) and a member of the 4th Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (Stratford).  As a young man, Wilfred also played in the Perth Regiment Band.   Wilfred was a longtime employee of the Stratford Public Utilities before retiring in 1987.  Family and friends will be received at the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford, on Monday, April 3, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. (Stratford Legion Branch 8 and the Army Navy & Air Force Unit 261 will hold a joint service at 6:30 p.m.).  A private family service will take place with burial in Avondale Cemetery.  As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Stratford-Perth Hospice Project or Participation House through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com