Gerhard Schickedanz passed away in Markham, Ontario, on Friday, June 24th, after a short battle with cancer.
Schickedanz, a founding member of the American Trakehner Association, had great success as a breeder out of Galten Farms, producing Olympic, World Cup, World Championship, and Pan American games medalists.
Born in Lithuania, he lived in Germany after the war before immigrating to Canada in 1951, where he and his brothers Kurt, Gustav, and Daniel started Schickedanz Brothers, a building and development business in Toronto with branches in Calgary and Florida.
In 1960, Schickedanz went back to his roots and began farming in Markham, ON. In addition to horse breeding he was involved with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, serving as president for two years.
Schickedanz is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elma, children Waldemar (Gail), Gerhard (Leanne), Manfred (Robin), Arthur (Jane), and Charlotte (Thomas) as well as 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brothers Gustav and Daniel, and sisters Dorothea and Adelheid. He was predeceased by his brother Kurt.
Visitation with the family will be held at Dixon-Garland Funeral Home in Markham, ON, Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., as well as Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The funeral will be held on Thursday morning at 11:00 a.m., at Galten Farms in Markham (10206 Warden Ave.). Interment will follow at the Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery. All are welcome at the farm after the interment for refreshments. Donations may be made to the Canadian Food Grains Bank or Markham Stouffville Hospital.
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