Isbrandt, Aloizy (Alex) April 11, 1923 – October 27, 2011
Alex peacefully passed away October 27, 2011, at the age of 88. His last days were spent at The Ravines Retirement Home in Ottawa, Ontario. Alex is predeceased by his first wife Berneice, and his daughter Theresa, both of Barrie, Ontario. Alex is survived by his son Stanley Isbrandt, of Ottawa, his daughter Ann Conquergood, of Calgary, and four grandchildren: Eric, Heather, Graham and Mark. Alex is also predeceased by his second wife Giedre.
Alex was born as Leon Korthals in Poland. He grew up on a farm in Bladzikowo with his sister Anna and brother Edmund. Times were difficult during the Second World War, and he became separated from his family in 1943 and moved to Germany with the identity Aloizy (Alex) Isbrandt.
After the war he married Berneice and decided to emigrate to Canada in 1948. Alex arrived from Germany with very little other than a strong desire to begin a better life in Canada. He lived and worked in Camp Borden before he was able to bring his wife and new daughter Theresa to join him in 1949.
He and Berneice soon moved to Barrie and had two more children, Stanley and Ann. Over time Alex established a successful house-building business and became one of Barrie’s premier custom home builders. He was involved with the Barrie Builders Association and one year served as the president.
Throughout his life Alex was actively supportive of the Polish Association and was interested in keeping the Polish culture alive for friends and family. Thank you to the staff at the Geriatric Assessment Unit at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and to the exceptional care provided by the staff at The Ravines Retirement Home in Ottawa.
Friends may call at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley Street, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, on Thursday at 10 a.m. Rite of Committal to follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to either the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be forwarded to www.steckleygooderham.com.