Obituary of Aurel Dittrich

Passed peacefully at Almonte Country Haven, on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the age of 86 years.

Beloved and dedicated husband of the late Zora (Filipovic).  Loving and loved father of Maja (Jamie) and Michael (Lee-Ann).  Adoring and proud grand-father Jessica, Jacquelyn, Timothy, Jacob, Nicholas, and our late Daniel.

Especially proud great-grandfather of Emersyn, Beckett, Rylan, Finn, Oaklynn, and Blakely. 

Aurel was born in Murska Sobota.  He and his late brother Marijan, left their family in 1957 and immigrated to Canada in search of a better life.  Aurel proudly received his Canadian citizenship in March 1962.  He and his beloved Zora married in 1964, and settled in Montreal where Maja (born on Aurel’s birthday), and Michael were both born.   

Aurel retired from Bell Canada in 1991 after a 34-year career that spanned various positions starting in Montreal, then relocating to Toronto, and retiring in Ottawa.  He was grateful for cultivating many friendships with his colleagues.  Aurel wanted to end up in Ottawa so that he would once again be closer to our Laurentian cottage, which he built in the late 1950’s with his parents and brother, by hand, without electricity (as he would proudly tell anyone who asked).  We are thankful for the legacy that was left for us to enjoy with our families, today, and for generations to come.  

Dad loved the simple things in life.  He adored his wife of 46 years and felt a huge void after she passed in 2010 from cancer.  He was proud of his children, and he enjoyed his career.  Aurel was a strong and independent man who stood out in any room.  He taught us work ethic and punctuality from a young age, which were his strong traits.  He had a very positive outlook on life and enjoyed a good laugh and socializing with friends and neighbours.  He enjoyed gardening and tinkering at the cottage.  He fixed everything himself.  After retiring from Bell, he started AuDi Studio® as he was a very talented painter.  He displayed his art at the Kanata Art Gallery.  He made hand-painted clocks under ‘Clockart’, and he created a series of Canadian Wildlife sketches called ‘The Slate Collection’.  He was also a member of the Geriatric Jazz Band at the Kanata Seniors Centre.  In his retirement he lived at Stonehaven (Chartwell - aka ‘charge-well’) in Kanata, for many years, where he donated much of his paintings and his time helping out wherever he could.  He called it ‘Stone Heaven’ and would often change the letters around above the fireplace mantel in their lobby.  He was an Ambassador at Stonehaven, and very much enjoyed the activities and staff, so much so that he even made a commercial for them.  If there was a piano in the room, he would play for anyone that would listen.  He last played the piano on March 5, two days before he passed.  While in high school he also played and sang in the jazz band.  As a teenager, he played water polo, competed in swimming, and enjoyed staying active through various sports. Later in life, he found great joy in cheering on his children and grandchildren in all their activities. He and mom (Baka) enjoyed travelling to northern and western Canada to visit Mike and his family too. Aurel enjoyed red wine and Hungarian sausages, and a good home cooked meal at home (as mom was a fantastic cook).  Sharing dinners was a big part of our family’s life.  We continue the tradition of Sunday dinners, which he attended as long as he could.  Aurel (Dida) was blessed to meet all of his great-grand-children!  He still could not believe that his little Jessi, and her husband Ben, have 5 of his great-grand children! 

Dida was a truly wonderful grandfather, always full of warmth, wisdom, and love. Whether he was sharing stories, offering guidance, or simply making us laugh, his presence was a source of comfort and joy.  He was beyond excited to be “promoted” to great-grandfather, embracing the role with the same kindness and enthusiasm that made him so special to all of us.  His love for his family knew no bounds, and we will forever cherish the memories we made with him.  We miss him dearly, but his legacy of love and laughter will live on in our hearts.

Our family would like to send heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at Almonte Country Haven’s Naismith wing, where Aurel lived for the past 3 years.  He often called them ‘angels’ and said what a wonderful place it was to call his home.  That is also where he grew his beard - which he liked a lot.  We started calling him a Viking!

Family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Services at Pinecrest Visitation Centre (2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa) on Monday, March 24, 2025, from 11 a.m - 1 p.m.  An intimate family Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel at 1 p.m.  Cremation and interment in the Pinecrest Cemetery will be held by the family at a private gathering on March 26, 2025.

Aurel was a proud Canadian, he loved nature and embraced Canada’s four seasons.  He loved to be at the lake in the mountains to breath the fresh air amongst the trees he so cherished.  He always said how lucky we were to live is such a wonderful country.  

In lieu of flowers or donations, please stand strong for Canada, buy Canadian, and be proud of the great country that you live in.  Take time often to truly admire the outdoors, even if through a window.