Olaf A. Von Stritzky

Our beloved father, brother, uncle and friend Olaf Alphons Alexander von Stritzky, 93, of Trenton, Michigan, passed away on December 17th, 2022 at Beaumont Trenton Hospital.

Olaf (christened Jörn-Olaf) was born on March 9, 1929 to Eva (nee Baroness von Rosen) and Arnold von Stritzky in Hannover, Germany.

Olaf met his wife, Gisela, as a young child on holiday in Estonia as their parents and grandparents were friends, spending summer vacations on neighbouring estates by the Baltic Sea. They married in September 1954, initially settling in Guelph, Ontario. The family moved to the United States and settled in Trenton, Michigan in 1967.

They had four children; Verena, Boris and Eric were all born in Guelph, Ontario and Amy was born in Wyandotte, Michigan. In 1967, Olaf had the opportunity to take a position as machinist with Ford Motor Company at the Woodhaven Stamping plant. Ford Motor Company, upon reviewing his application and qualifications, wrote to the American Consulate in January 1967: “This man’s services are urgently needed for the benefit of the National economy and welfare of the United States”. Never in his life had Olaf held such a position of such great distinction, or had his services been so specifically requested.

During his 30 years with Ford, Olaf decided to complete his formal education, and completed an Associate’s degree by attending classes part time at Baker College, graduating Cum Laude in 1995. Olaf enjoyed his work at Ford Motor Company and retired in 1997, then went on to work part-time with a consulting firm for two further years, before settling into volunteering as a part-time guide at the Automotive Hall of Fame, travelling widely with Gisela, sailing and then finally retiring fully at age 88. He devoted hours to writing his life story since the spring of 2020, documenting the many places he lived throughout his childhood and youth, his wartime experiences and his work and travels on board a merchant ship as part of his journeyman’s apprenticeship prior to emigrating.

Olaf was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gisela in 2012. He is survived by, and will be greatly missed by his sisters, Alice (Micky) von Stritzky-Letz, of Guelph, Ontario, Anita (Hans Wender) of Siegen, Germany, and Dores von Stritzky of Cologne, Germany; his children, Verena, Boris (Jackie Fontaine), Eric, and Amy von Stritzky-Peplowski (Bob Peplowski), his grandchildren, Carl von Stritzky and Nichole Potter, his cousins, nephews and nieces, his dear long-time friend Hanna (Walter) Boos, of Guelph, and many friends across several continents.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will occur from 12 – 5 pm on Saturday, April 22, 2023 followed by a memorial service at 5pm, both at The Trenton Chapel - Martenson Family of Funeral Homes 3200 West Road, Trenton, MI 48183 (734) 671-5400. Interment of his ashes will take place June 17, 2023 at 2pm in Bayfield, Ontario.