Obituary of Chris "Boots" Schmelzle

Chris Schmelzle (aka Boots), born January 27^th, 1944, passed away on May 6th, 2026 at the ripe old age of 19 (he always said he was 19 but was really 82 years of age). Most likely getting ready to head to the gym, he died suddenly and painlessly at his home in London, Ontario.

Chris always said, “assume nothing, check everything”. It is hoped that it is safe to assume that he is now reunited with his loved ones in heaven: his wife Wendy (née Thurston), his parents Christian & Mildred (née Coutts), his sister Claire (Chiasson), his brother Craig and his beloved nephew Alexander (Matarazzo). He leaves behind his three children and their spouses, Adam and Mary, Mason (Conley) and Sabrina, and Ember (McKillop), along with his sister Connie (Matarazzo) and his grandchildren Sebastian (McKillop), Lucy, Ruth, Harvey, Alex and James.

Born in Toronto and raised in Fort William (NOT Thunder Bay), Chris graduated from the University of Windsor as a mechanical engineer. He married Wendy Thurston on Canada Day 1972 and together they raised a family at various cities and towns between Ontario and BC, finally settling in London for good in 1991. His engineering contributions impact the lives of virtually every Canadian, having designed testing booths and components for fire doors, wood stoves, and other things we use every day. If you ever find yourself in Sudbury you can look at the huge nickel mine smoke stack and think of him as he also had a hand in it’s design.

Listing all of his accomplishments, passions, and interests would require a full-page article as he was a man of many talents. His biggest love was the outdoors. Hiking, doing photography, and planning trips right until his journey ended, he was always looking forward to the next adventure. He will be missed most for his words of wisdom, solicited and otherwise, as well as his vast knowledge and eagerness to introduce new people to experience the outdoors.

Cremation has taken place.

Visitation will be held at Logan-Evans Funeral Home, 371 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (between Waterloo & Colborne St.), on Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 1-2 p.m.

Memorial service will follow in the Logan Chapel at 2:00 p.m.

Logan-Evans Funeral Home will be livestreaming

the service for Chris at the time of the ceremony.

CLICK HERE to register for the livestream link.

Please follow necessary instructions.

The ashes of both Chris and Wendy will be laid to rest at Mountainview Cemetery, Thunder Bay, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Forest City Community Church or the Heart and Stroke Foundation as heart disease has affected, not only Chris, but so many others close to him. Special thanks to Connie Matarazzo, and Brent and Cynthia Gudgeon, for all of their hard work and support through this very difficult time.

Online condolences can be expressed at logan-evans.ca