It is with a heavy heart that his family shares the news that Kurt Valentin Havlas passed away at the age of 81 on November 7, 2023. He was born on February 14, 1942 to Aloisia Cizel (Lebeda) and Karl Havlas in Germany. He was the loving husband of Shirley Havlas (Aitken) for 57 years, and proud father of Lisa (Brad) Regan and Opa to Amanda Regan. He will be fondly remembered as a brother in-law to Bert (deceased) (Bernice), Brian (Doris), Isabel (Bob), and Wanda (Brent).
Kurt was a successful tradesman, beginning his apprenticeship as an upholsterer in Germany at the age of 14. He immigrated to Canada at the age of 21 with just a suitcase, intending to stay here for a year. He just celebrated 60 years in Canada. Together with his wife, they started their own furniture manufacturing business in 1982 out of their basement. KSL (named for Kurt, Shirley, and Lisa) was a successful business until they retired after 23 years. Never one to not work, he came out of retirement for a few years and still went to work in his workshop every day, crafting unique woodworking projects. He was always proud of his property, and could be found working in the yard and gardens most days. He pursued many hobbies, but was perhaps best known for his love of Mercedes cars. Shirley and Kurt loved to entertain and host social gatherings, where everyone was always welcomed with open arms, good food, and drink. Kurt will be missed by the many friends in his life.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Monday, November 13th from 10 o’clock until time of funeral service in the chapel at 12 o’clock. Interment will follow at the Caledon East Cemetery. Reception at Royal Ambassador Event Centre, 15430 Innis Lake Road, Caledon East at 2 o’clock.
For those unable to attend the service in person and would like to join the family via livestream, please click the following link
https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=5bf897eb-dc57-47e1-b488-b9dc47a6926a
You can view the service live at the time scheduled or you can view it at a more convenient time for you.
You will be required to register for the service and then they will immediately send you an email with the actual link to the service. Please check your junk or spam inbox if you don’t receive the email with the actual link..
If you experience any issues or have questions in regards to the live streaming, please feel free to contact Forget Me Not Ceremonies at 1-877-895-2739. If you need to leave a message on their answering machine, they will return your call promptly.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville (www.hhcfoundation.com).
Memories and condolences may be left at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Isobel Morrison
Our deepest sympathy to Shirley and family. Kurt was such a quiet and kind man who was respected by everyone. Sorry for your sudden loss. Regards from Isobel Morrison and family
John Beighton
Deepest sympathy to Shirley, Lisa, and families.
A huge loss, he will be missed.
Stefanie Carleton
Lisa,Brad and family. Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Kurt
Mabel Cook
Our deepest sympathy to Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda.
Kurt was such a wonderful man and always made us feel welcome when we visited.
He will be missed
Mabel & Bruno Bandalewicz
Kay Cook
Rosemarie Eger
Deepest sympathy to Shirley, Lisa, Brad, Amanda and extended families.
He was a wonderful host and friend and will be greatly missed.
Rosemarie Eger
Edna n Roy Wright
Sending our Sympathy to Shirley and families,
from Roy and Edna Wright.
Ramin
Last time I cried it was for my dad’s funeral. Kurt was so important for me that I couldn’t stop my cry today. After a while I said at least he is in the best spot in paradise because he was an awesome guy, friend .
He is resting in peace and we will miss him.
I hope is wife would handle the situation.
bobby
Dear Shirley,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Evelyn Göhler
Dear Shirley and Lisa, my Canadian family,
Kurt our „lucky guy“ is my cousin. For me he is more than that, I lost my brother. He will be in my heart forever and someday we‘ll see each other again.
Above all, I wish Shirley and Lisa a lot of strength for the coming time. My thoughts are with you.
In love Evelyn
also on behalf of Uli, my partner
Rudolf und Brigitte Lebeda
Dear Shirley, our thoughts are with you and your family in these difficult times. We look back fondly on the times we spent together
Jodie Guillemette
Dear Shirley,
My name is Jodie and I am a niece and goddaughter of uncle Freddy and Diane. I just was visiting them yesterday and they told me this news of your husband’s passing as they are still in shock. I heard of the great 60 year reunion he had with Uncle Freddy and friends. How special (and I am sure with gratitude) that you all celebrated that milestone together! I loved that fact they still could fit in their old coats from 60 years ago! I also heard many great things about Kurt and how he was so active and creative and a dear friend to uncle Freddy. May your heart be filled with such fond memories of your dear husband and may it bring comfort to you during this time. May God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Jodie
Lori Craig
Deepest sympathy. I pray for you and your family to find comfort in your memories and each other right now. So very hard loosing a parent and life long partner.
Condolences to you all
Sascha and Sandra Lebeda
„Those we love can never be more than a thought away.
For as long there is memory they will live forever.“
Dear Family,
our heartly condolences and deep sympathy for the loss.
We think fondly of the few moments with you and Kurt altogether in one place in Canada and in Germany.
We wish you a lot of strength these days and that you will keep your confidence.
You will be always in our hearts and thoughts.
Love,
Sascha and Sandra
Jeff and Bev Griffith
Lisa, Brad and family,
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies. Please know our thoughts are with you all in this very difficult time.
David Plewes
Dear Shirley and Family;
Sue and I would like to offer our sincere condolences on Kurt’s passing.
I am sure he will truly be missed.
Laura, Hamish & Isaac Cowley
Shirley, Lisa and all… We are sending all our love to you. We will miss “Opa Kurt” so very much. He was so kind, generous and welcoming, and went out of his way to make Isaac feel special and loved. We will hold those memories close.
Dorothea and Fred Wegner
Dear Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda…..
Our hearts are breaking along with yours. He was a long time, dear friend for so many years and he will be truly missed. We love you and will always be here for you.
Love-Dorothea and Fred
Susanne Hill
Dear Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda
Our deepest condolences, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kurt was a wonderful man and he will be missed by all of us.
Love Susanne and Jim
Gary Andersen
Shirley, Lisa…..
I can’t tell you how sad I was to hear the news. Kurt was so kind and a mentor to someone new to the industry when we first met. Always approachable, always willing to teach, to share his wisdom and extensive knowledge of furniture made my transition so easy. His compassion and patience with the new guy will always be a great memory. So will his huge smile, his jokes and willingness to share a “Skoal” or two. 🙂 Sending condolences and huge hugs! Will be thinking of you with a heavy heart. Sincerely, Gary
Jagoda & Slawek Czerwik
Dear Shirley and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Britta
Tom and I will always remember Kurt for his warmth, kindness, and generosity. He was such a great friend to our dads Benno and Helmut with whom he celebrated countless Fathers Days and Stammtisch events. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Shirley and family. He will be greatly missed.
Bill Macdonald
Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda and the entire Aitken Family. So sorry to hear of Kurt’s passing. Sending our condolences to everyone. Kurt was a wonderful person to know. I thoroughly enjoyed to know the Havlas family when there was a family event that i was able to be at. I was able to be at their house a couple times and was welcomed there and wherever we happened to meet. Kurt was genuine and was always interested in what was going on . Will be thinking of you all during the next while. Take care, Bill Macdonald and Lisa Morrison.
Priti and Neerav Duggal
Deepest sympathy to Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda.
When we moved in as neighbours to Kurt and Shirley, almost 3 years ago, they made us feel at home. Kurt’s warm spirit and the memories of crafting wooden reindeer gifts for Sara and Sophia with so much love will always be cherished. Each encounter left us with positive memories, deep respect reflecting Kurt’s loving and welcoming nature. The invitations to pick apples by Kurt and Shirley and the joy of sharing garden delights with were moments that highlighted the genuine connection we shared. We still cannot believe that we wouldn’t be able to talk or see Kurt anymore. May his memory bring comfort during this difficult time. Neerav, I, Sara and Sophia will truly and deeply miss you.
Knud and Deanne Jensen
Dear Shirley, Lisa, Brad and Amanda
Our hearts are with you today, even though we cannot be there in person. Kurt was a lovely man, and we are so glad to call him a friend. We will be thinking of you all today and please let us know if we can do anything to ease this time. With our sincerest condolences, Knud and Deanne
Max Jobst
My deepest sympathy dear Shirley, Lisa and Family. Kurt was my best friend and the best lucky guy, that I ever had. I’ll not forget the greatful time and holidays, that we spent together.
Thank you for so many beautiful moments.
In Love Max