Henry Saganowski passed away peacefully on September 12, 2023 due to breathing-related complications. He had had a long battle with Parkison’s. He is remembered by his daughter, Kirsten, grandchildren, Seph and Hali, and sister, Irene. In recent years Henry lived at New Horizons Tower, where he shared his love of travel with staff through scrapbooks, played euchre, cranked his tunes, kept up with the ongoing construction across the street, and entertained people with his sense of humour.


Henry was born in Schleswig, Germany in 1946. After the Second World War, through the assistance of the Red Cross, he came to Canada with his parents and sister. His is a very typical Toronto immigrant story. His family lived together with the Wiecek family on Clairmount Street before moving to Westminster Avenue and then Windermere Avenue. He served as an altar boy at St. Stanislaus, and it was actually a priest who taught him how to swim. Growing up he played basketball for Central Technical High School, where he graduated from their printing program. As a young adult, Henry played with “Sag’s Bombers” at the West End YMCA in Toronto.


Henry spent his career working as a Pressman in business forms. He developed lifelong friendships with some of his colleagues, and that’s where he met Gerdie Koetsier, his future wife, who worked in the pre-press art department.


Henry married Gerdie on July 11, 1975, and for their honeymoon the two of them travelled to Alaska. This is one of many, many road trips they took together during their 41 years of marriage. In July 1976 they welcomed their only daughter, Kirsten (Kiki), into the world, and it wasn’t long before she joined them on their outdoor adventures - hiking, camping, and cross country skiing throughout Ontario. Travel was a big part of their lives - everything from winter family getaways to Cuba to extended road trips in their retirement to remote places like Rimouski, Northern Quebec.


Gardening was a hobby that Henry took great pride in, an activity he shared with his wife at their home on Starfield Crescent in Mississauga. Their rock garden was appreciated by many neighbours and passersby. Henry maintained a good rapport with his Starfield neighbours. Photography was also something Henry loved, and his photographs are featured in the travel scrapbooks Gerdie put together after each of their extended road trips.


For Henry, basketball didn’t end in his school years. He continued playing the sport into his fifties. He played in a Brampton Men’s House League and with some of his teammates volunteered to play inmates at the Ontario Correctional Institute in Brampton. He was also Kiki’s half-time coach when he came to watch her play basketball in high school. There were many weekend afternoons spent at school yards (only ones with decent rims/nets) playing basketball and cranking the tunes. Henry was an avid follower of NCAA Basketball and would often gather with friends to watch the Final Four. He also followed the NFL and enjoyed Superbowl parties.


Henry was a talented stained glass artist. This passion of his started with a simple adult education course in the evenings. His expertise developed greatly over the years and eventually he and Gerdie started designing original pieces. Henry loved vibrant colours and even travelled to get some amazing glass in various shades of orange.


Henry may have been a goofball with his grandkids, but he had style and, until mobility made it difficult, was always a sharp dresser. Even in recent years Henry was recognized for his bright colours and rock ‘n’ roll t-shirts. He loved music, and not just Classic Rock, like Jimi Hendrix and The Doobie Brothers - he listened to everything from Baroque to Blues and Jazz. Many Rolling Stones t-shirts were gifted and worn, as he was a big Stones fan. Often at appointments hospital staff would comment on his t-shirts. He always grinned and engaged, as was his way. He was both colourful and chill, and will be dearly missed by those who knew him.


Henry’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14th from 1:30-4:30pm in the Music Hall at Burdock Brewery 1184 Bloor Street West, Toronto burdockbrewery.com. Join us to share stories and memories with friends and families and to raise a glass to Henry. Light refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers please donate to either The Movement Disorders Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital (UHNfoundation.ca/tribute or call 416-560-5300) or the New Horizons Staff Fund (make cheques payable to New Horizons Tower and your donation will be directed to the staff fund in honour of Henry for details see newhorizons.com).