Sigmar "Sigi" Otto Kunz

Loving Memory of Sigmar Otto “Sigi” Kunz Sigmar Otto Kunz—known to everyone simply as Sigi—was born in 1949 in Stuttgart, Germany, to the late Robert and Katherina (Weiland) Kunz, who had been evacuated from Sivac, Yugoslavia, in 1944. After the war, the family migrated to Canada as WWII refugees, carrying resilience, creativity, and hope into their new life. From those beginnings came a man with a remarkable imagination and an even more remarkable heart. Sigi inherited his artistic gifts from his father, Robert Kunz, and he treated that talent with the seriousness of a master craftsman—though not without his trademark humor. Whether he was sketching, painting, inventing, or dreaming up ideas no one else could have imagined, he approached his art with pride and passion. He could turn even an ordinary moment into something whimsical, colourful, or hilarious. And hilarious he was. Sigi had a sense of humor that could send people into uncontrollable fits of laughter. He had a unique ability to deliver a joke with a straight face, leaving everyone else doubled over. His imagination fed his comedy, and his comedy fed the joy of everyone who knew him. A man with a deep love for animals and the natural world, Sigi felt at home in the great outdoors. He had a gentle, generous spirit—so generous, in fact, that he would give the shirt off his back without a second thought. (And knowing Sigi, he’d probably apologize while doing it, just to avoid any confrontation.) Though he never had children of his own, Sigi was an uncle to Jair and a loyal friend to many. His partner and best friend, Shirley, cared for him with steadfast love through years of health challenges. Her devotion gave him comfort, companionship, and the gift of being truly seen and supported. Sigi loved adventure, music, and especially live concerts—anywhere the energy was high and the world felt big and full of possibility. He faced life with curiosity, humour, and an open heart, even when the road was difficult. Lovingly remembered by his partner Shirley Common, his sister Beady Kunz Crook (Gary), his nephew Jair Ziggy Crook (Tayla), Tantes Christel Strelau and Elfiede Ruloff, Onkle Oscar Weiland (Jill). He was a dear member of Common family: Brother-in-law to Jim Common, Carrie Edmeades (Gord) and Robert Common; and uncle to Kristie McDonald, Ashley Edmeades, Jimmy Edmeads (Shauna), Jamie-Lee Common and Jessie Common. The world is quieter without his laugh, his imagination, and his gentle kindness—but richer because he was here. The family would like to thank Dr. Carrie Yeung, Dr, Erin Nishikawa, PRHC Cancer Care and Hospice Peterborough Donations in memory of Sigi, can be made to Hospice Peterborough. www.hospicepeterborough.org

Sigmar "Sigi" Otto Kunz

December 4, 2025