Udo Hochgeschurz

Udo Hochgeschurz
Just short of his 82nd Birthday, we said goodbye to our much loved "Opi" on March 24th, 2024 when he
left us peacefully while asleep after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Predeceased by his parents Peter and Elizabeth Hochgeschurz, he leaves behind his wife and true
partner in life of 57 years, Heide Hochgeschurz (Hundert), his son Eric and daughter-in-law Colleen
(McCarthy), and granddaughters Carina and Katelyn, as well as his cousins, many nieces, a nephew and
his extended families in Germany and Canada.
Born and growing up in Germany he was a great storyteller, reminissing often on his love of horses,
which he developed already as a young child. Even before entering school age, he proudly 'helped' in
his neighbourhood gravel pit, where he was allowed to sit on the horse which pulled the loaded stone
cart up from the bottom. A little later Udo gravitated to the local farmers to be in the fields with their
horses, even skipping school a couple of times to make that possible.
At age 20 he had saved up enough money to buy his own, first horse and from there on spent every
minute of his free time in the barn. And it was in that barn where he spotted Heide riding a horse and it
was 'Love at first sight' on both sides. Pursuing his lifelong dream of owning land and horses of his own,
Udo imigrated to Canada with Heide as newlyweds in 1966. They started a small riding school first with
one, then two and more horses in Richmond Hill, ON and this is where their son Eric was born in 1968.
From there it grew into what eventually became Horse Lovers' Day Camp in Vandorf, ON, with 75 horses
and 175 campers at its peak. While the summer camp grew, they expanded into the school busing
business, forming Yorkway School Transit Ltd.
Along the way, equestrian pursuits were always an important part of his life. In the early years he
dabbled in hunter and show jumping events, then venturing into draft horses and he became successful
in the sport of Horse Pulling. In the late 70's he found what would be his calling: carriage driving. He got
hooked on the exciting Equestrian Sport of Combined Driving. a demanding 3 day event competition. He
scoured Europe and brought back young German Warmbloods that he trained and then competed with,
first in Canada and the USA. He quickly rose to an elite level and was soon a member of the Canadian
Equestrian National Team and started to represent Canada in Europe in 1987. In 1989 he won every
competition he competed in in North America and his crowning achievement came with a World
Championship title in Hungary. That same year he was chosen the Canadian Male Equestrian Athlete of
the Year.
Quite humble with his achievements, he was always happiest and proud with his family by his side,
supporting him along the way with all of his accomplishments.
In the year 2000, he and Heide moved from Vandorf to Carleton Place, ON, to be closer to their son,
daugher-in-law and, most importantly, their cherished granddaughters. He loved growing roots in the
area, making new friends, and sharing his school-busing experience with the next generation school bus
company, Premier Bus Lines, owned and operated by their son and daughter-in-law. Though Horses
remained an important part of his life, with sleigh- and wagon rides; building his own covered wagon for
o'nite cross country drives on trails in in Eastern Ontario with Heide and their friends.
One of his other very special talents was his ability to fix anything. It didn't always look pretty but it would
never break again. Udo lived a full and wonderful life and he will be greatly missed by family and friends.

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The kindness, support and exemplary care of the Carleton Place Hospital staff was greatly appreciated
by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carleton Place and District Memorial
Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society. In keeping with Udo's wishes.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 25, 2024 at 668 Tatlock Road, Carleton Place from 1 - 4 p.m. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Udo Hochgeschurz, please visit our floral store.