Noel Charles Wittick
December 25th, 1930 - June 1st, 2021
After an extraordinary 90 years, Noel passed peacefully with his beloved wife and their children by his side. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy (nee Lee), children Lee (Karen), Dana (Jamie), Leslie (Jay); adoring grandchildren Mara, Charlie, Lex, Emma and Ben; as well as his loving brother and sister, Harland and Kathleen.
Noel’s career in advertising spanned across three decades. His extensive experience covered integral areas of the industry. Trained initially in the creative field, he joined Baker Lovick in the 50s. He climbed the corporate ladder until he moved into account services and was eventually made Senior Vice President - think of the HBO series “Mad Men.”
Noel was an avid tennis and squash player and a member of the Badminton & Racquet Club in Toronto and Cedar Springs in Burlington. Upon his retirement, he returned to his love of painting. He spent time recreating treasured scenes from his travels around the world with Nancy, family portraits and, of course, the family dogs.
Expanding on his creativity, Noel took up wood carving as well; creating each family member their own personalized paddle for the cottage. Noel loved spending time at the cottage with family and friends over the years. From cross-country skiing gatherings to birthday parties to gardening or just relaxing with a glass of red, the cottage was precious to him. It was at the cottage where Noel passed along his love of art and nature to his grandchildren.
If you asked 100 people who Noel was, you would get 100 different answers. Some saw him as a model and an athlete, while others saw a guide and a friend, and many would call him a hero and a storyteller. Noel was all of these things and more. What is true in descriptions of Noel is the strength of character that he demonstrated in all aspects of his life and all the people who would agree their lives were better for knowing and loving him.
When time permits, we will gather to celebrate Noel while listening to his favourite jazz musician, Duke Ellington.
The care and kindness given to Noel by Simone, Kellie, his nurses, and Wemi and the other PSWs, has been truly appreciated. A heartfelt thank you from the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“As long as we remember a person, they’re not really gone. Their thoughts, their feelings, their memories, they become a part of us.” - Justin Cronin