Tributes

It is with sorrow that the Wurfbaum family announces the passing of their patriarch Josef Wurfbaum (Sepp). Sepp leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Christa Wurfbaum and children Doris Wurfbaum, Christian Wurfbaum and Tina-Marie Abels (Mike Abels) and grandchildren Samara Wurfbaum, Jediah Wurfbaum, Benjamin Abels and Nicholas Abels. He is predeceased by his only sibling Gregor Wurfbaum. Sepp was born in Ebenhausen, Bavaria on November 10, 1937 and just celebrated his 83rd birthday with his family in Hamilton. In his youth, Sepp made a commitment to actively pursue happiness for himself and others. He did this through his passion for music and entertaining. Whether singing, yodeling, playing accordion, standup bass or tuba, or simply telling a tall tale, his talent lay in making people laugh. Sepp's approach to life was direct and simple. His favorite politician was Winston Churchill, whose direct approach, like Sepp's, sometimes landed him in hot water. Trained as an electroplater, Sepp immigrated to Canada in 1958 and pursued a career with Air Canada. He settled into suburbia with his wife and three children in Pierrefonds, Quebec. Time down the road, this would change as his desire for something bigger grew and he would move his family to Knowlton, Quebec. Sepp led several bands and played throughout the city of Montreal and was well known for entertaining at Expo 67, in the German Biergarten. In 1961, Sepp also earned a movie actor diploma from the Montreal Cine Production Film Academy and played a role in two films: "How Long Is a Minute" as well as "The Prince and Me". He also recorded two albums, "Ein Prosit" and "Everybody Happy". The latter title became his mantra on stage. After a set, he would always ask the crowd “Is everybody happy?” before snapping shut his accordion. Once in Knowlton, Sepp and Christa bought an old bowling alley turning it into Sepp’s Biergarten where he became the master of his own stage, performing nightly and hosting events such as Schlachtfests, crash derbies and car rallies. Patrons flocked from Montreal and the surrounding community to be entertained by the likes of Sepp and his keen wit. Eventually, Sepp retired in the Burlington/Hamilton area and continued to play music at The Musket for 23 years and in recent years at the Austrian Club. He also became an avid home renovator and gardener. Sepp had a passion for rocks that he felt were beautiful and each rock had a story to tell. He created several elaborate rock gardens complete with firepits, fish ponds and waterfalls. Sepp's talents also included stained glass and he produced many exquisitely designed pieces. In celebrating his wild and sometimes inconvenient life, we ask that everybody be happy and his song "Love is International". Sepp has been cremated and a celebration of life will take place this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his beloved choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hamilton. You can contact them at 905-974-9878 or email at tlchamilton2020@gmail.com.

Tributes

Josef "Sepp" Wurfbaum

November 10, 1937 - January 28, 2021