Cosack, Hans Josef
Hans Josef Cosack passed away peacefully on January 2, 2017 at Markham/Stouffville hospital at the age of 91 after a brief battle with complications arising from his COPD.
Hans grew up on the family estate, Wildshausen, in Germany. After serving in WW2, he returned there to help with the family business. He met and married Dorothee Meschede in 1952 and with her had 5 children: Hans, Margaret, Huberta, Carl and Christine. Then, with his eye on new horizons, he bought Peace Valley Ranch near Honeywood Ontario in 1964. After his wife Dorothee tragically died in a plane crash in 1971, Hans fell in love with and married Heike (Philipps) in 1974. They had a daughter, Carola, in 1978 and moved to Canada permanently shortly afterward. Hans was blessed with 7 grandchildren (Tarquin, Dominik, Pascal, Kim, Christopher, Nikki, Henry) and 2 great-grandchildren (Tristan, Jacob). He was predeceased by his 2 sisters Liesel (Carlos) Steffek of Wildshausen, Germany and Maria Theres (Walter) Klemm of Germany.
Once Hans gave the workings of the farm over to his son Carl, he focused more on his first love – forestry – and could be found in the forests around the Pine River valley working his chainsaw until his mid 80’s. With a mind as sharp as ever, he spent the latter years of his life keeping in touch with people he had met throughout his 90+ years and spent hours playing cards and filling out crosswords. No matter how old, it is always too soon.
A mass will be held at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Melancthon at 1pm on Saturday, April 8th, 2017. This will be followed by a Celebration of Life reception at the Ag Centre at 377 William St., Shelburne at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Red Cross.
