Oswald Hermann Konway Obituary (1930 - 2025)

Oswald Hermann Konway was the oldest of 3 children born in Bremerhaven, Germany on Nov 24,1930. He passed peacefully in Evergreen Seniors Home March 20, 2025, at the age of 94. He is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Magdalena nee Nabbe in Nov 2022 and younger brother, Dieter Kowalska (Germany). He is survived by his sister Margaret Kowalska (Calgary, Alberta), sister-in-law, Hildegard Nabbe (Waterloo, Ontario), and by 3 sons Markus (Kate), Volkmar (Teanne) and Desmond (Jane), Opa' is missed and celebrated by 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews in both Canada and Germany. Oswald grew up during WWII in Northern Germany. Due to the circumstances of the war, he found himself away from home and family at the early age of 13. This ensured he developed an adventurous and determined spirit which he maintained his whole life. He trained as a landscape architect completing a practicum in Sweden, where he studied and developed techniques grafting roses. Upon moving to Canada in 1955 he turned his skills to designing commercial landscapes (universities and businesses) and office management. After immigrating, his curiosity stirred him to set off in 1956 along the gravel TransCanada highway, the first of many drives from Ontario to the BC coast where he dreamed, he would live one day. Shortly after this he met and married Magdalena who interestingly had attended the same Landscape architect school in Germany 2 years after Oswald. Together they raised 3 sons. Oswald always found a way to realize his dreams. At 52 he retired to his Victoria BC garden working in his orchard surrounded by vegetable and flower gardens while Magdalena harvested herbs and produce most days for the next 25+ years. Once the boys were launched, they started spending their winters travelling to many hot climates (such as Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama). Often Oswald would drive from Victoria to Mexico and even to Panama. During a trip to Chile with 2 of their sons they covered 10,000+ kms in 3 weeks along many smaller roads. Through meeting both expats and locals along with studying the language Oswald became proficient in Spanish. This served him well during their next adventure - developing properties near David, Panama at the age of 77 to live out his lifelong dream of gardening in the tropics. Here they spent the next 7+ years cultivating several properties and focusing on more tropical plants. After a stroke (2015) Oswald and Magdalena repatriated full time back to Courtenay, BC where family could visit more often. This gave them a chance to get to know their great grandchildren of whom they were so fond. In addition to family, travel and gardening, Oswald's other passions were classical music, opera, and choice food. Being well read on many topics he was particularly interested in news and world events and often welcomed neighbours in to share a glass of wine, and later coffee and a chat. Oswald lived long and well due to a healthy constitution and his own perseverance. He is already missed. Thank you to Dr Anderson, Island Health Homecare Services, Comox Valley Seniors Home, and Evergreen Seniors Home (CR) for their care and support particularly over the past 2 years. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.