After 1926, reunions of the 3 brothers, Ed, John & Adolf, in Canada, and later their families, were occasional, whenever time away from work permitted. In 1946 it was decided to make the reunions an annual event on July 1, Canada Day.
The 1946 and 1947 reunions were held at Turnbull's Grove on Lake Huron. In 1947, the Gross relatives were invited to join the descendents of Gottlieb & Augustine (Gross) Fangrad. Many reunions in the late 40's & early 50's were held in Goderich.
The early reunions were smaller, family affairs. With the arrival of the immigrant families, starting in 1950, reunions grew in size and complexity. In the 50's and 60's, until 1975, the annual reunion was arranged by a single family which also paid the expenses (prizes, etc.). Starting with 1976 a committee of several families planned and led the reunions. Expenses were, and still are, met by a free-will collection, taken at the reunion.
The following list is a tribute to those, who over the years, cheerfully and ably, gave leadership to this annual venture. The committees, meeting in each others' homes, twice a year, helped knit a fabric of love and friendship, which strengthened individuals and the family as a whole.
Any venture of this size depends on some behind the scenes activity, to keep the 'wheels turning', and since 1976, many have 'put their shoulders to the wheel', serving on committees, leading activities and devotionals, and just being generally helpful: Among those carrying regular responsibilities we mention A. Irene and A. Alma, at various times and for many years, as treasurers, editor's assistants, historians, and in charge of cards and flowers. Carolyn Gross, in charge of cards and flowers for several years, followed by June Kinsman. Helga Krause as treasurer, Hildegard & Grace Uloth, bulletin information, mailing list, genealogies, committees, etc.
We lack information for the 1950's and early 1960's. If anyone remembers, please let us know!
Year | Attend.| Location
1967 - ?? - Inverhuron Provincial Park, (Herbert and Angela Fangrad)
1968 - ?? - Sauble Falls Provincial Park, (Walter & Irene Huebner)
1969 - ?? - Butler's Marine Resort, Puslinch Lake, (David and Pat Fangrad)
1970 - ?? - Elora Gorge Conservation Area, (Vern & Rita Starra)
1971 - ?? - Elora Gorge, Conservation Area, (Art & Carolyn Gross)
1972 - 35 - Goderich Park, postponed to Sept. 9 (Heinz & Emma Fangrad)
1973 - 73 - Lions Park, Seaforth (Grace & John Gilbert and Ellen & David E. Fangrad)
1974 - 76 - Queenston Heights, (Edelgard & Alfred Nabrotzky)
1975 - 72 - Rockwood Conservation Area, (Monika & Bill Thiessen)
1976 - ?? - Queen's Park, Stratford (A. Alma, Rita Starra, Irene Huebner, Helga Krause, Hilla & Dieter Uloth, the first reunion planned &run by a committee!
1977 - 82 - Queen's Park, Stratford, (A. Alma, Helga & Helmut Krause, Ola & Scott Payne, Herbert & Angela Fangrad, Don & June Kinsman
1978 - 76 - Queen's Park, Stratford, (U. Adolf & A. Ruth, Monika & Bill Thiessen, Helmut & Elsbeth Krauck, Lothar & Olga Fangrad, Hartwin & Emma Fangrad)
1979 - 77 - Queen's Park, Stratford, (A. Irene & U. John, Walter & Irene Huebner, Ingrid and Günther Schmekies, Heinz & Emma Fangrad, Vern & Rita Starra,
1980 - 57 - Falls Reserve Conservation Area near Benmiller, (U. Otto & A. Liesbeth, Grace & John Gilbert, Ola & Scott Payne, Edelgard and Alfred Nabrotzky, Herbert and Angela Fangrad)
1981 - 84 - Guelph Twp. Recreational Park, (Carolyn and Art Gross, Lothar and Olga Fangrad, Helga and Helmut Krause, Rosalinde Nabrotzky, Mark Payne)
1982 - 60 - Pittock Conservation Area, Woodstock, (June & Don Kinsman, Verner & Rita Starra, Ralph & Debra Uloth, Jim Huebner, Tabea Krause)
1983 - 77 - Belwood Conservation Area, (Aunt Irene, Emma & Heinz Fangrad, Peter Zein, Paul and Tom Fangrad, Helmut & Elsbeth Krauck, Walter & Irene Huebner)
1984 - 62 - Belwood Conservation Area, (A. Irene, Ellen Fangrad, Ola Payne, Monika & Bill Thiessen, Tim Thiessen, Stephen & Edmund Nabrotzky.)
1985 - 88 - Belwood Conservation Area, (A. Irene, Hartwin & Emma Fangrad, Herbert & Angela Fangrad, Esther Krauck, David and Terry Fangrad)
1986 - 60 - Wildwood Conservation Area, St. Marys, (A. Irene, Don & June Kinsman, Ralph & Debra Uloth, Linda Fangrad & Tom Fangrad, Linda Huebner)
1987 - 66 - Guelph Township Recreational Park, (A. Irene, Helga & Helmut Krause, Olga & Lothar Fangrad, Rick Krause and Paul Fangrad)
1988 - 82 - Milverton Community Park, (A. Irene, Carolyn & Art Gross, Sandra & Denise Schellenberger, Helmut & Elsbeth Krauck, Monika Fangrad and Mark Fangrad)
1989 - 66 - Laurel Creek Conservation Area, (A. Irene, A. Alma, Heinz & Emmi Fangrad, Susan Fangrad, Judy Fangrad and Carla Fangrad)
1990 - 65 - Laurel Creek Conservation Area, (Don & June Kinsman, Herbert & Angela Fangrad, Tim & Michelle Thiessen, A. Irene and A. Alma)
1991 - 66 - Bolender Park, Elmira, (Irene & Walter Huebner, Nancy & Jim Caldwell, Stephen & Linda Huebner, A. Irene & A. Alma)
1992 - 77 - Floradale Community Park, (Tabea Krause & Emmerich Reinhardt, Richard & Elaine Kinsman, Terry & Lorraine Fangrad, Claudia Fangrad, and Monica Fangrad)
1993 - 79 - Mannheim Community Park, (Rosie & Dave Cosstick, Ruth & Martin Okum, Gayle & Paul Fangrad)
1994 - 85 - Mannheim Community Park, (Paul & Gayle Fangrad, Monika & Bill Thiessen, Irene & Walter Huebner and David Igel)
1995 - 86 - Mannheim Community Park, (Tom & Charmaine Fangrad, Ralph & Debra Uloth, Rick & Monica Krause and Carla Fangrad)
1996 - 104 - Miller Lake - the 50th - (Helga & Helmut Krause, Don & June Kinsman, Vern & Rita Starra, Don & Moni Nickel, Richard & Elaine Kinsman)
1997 - 92 - Belwood Lake Conservation Area, (David & Pat Fangrad, Mark Fangrad, Tabea & Emmerich Reinhardt, Vern & Rita Starra and Richard Fangrad)
1998 - 101 - Mannheim Community Park, (Edmund & Claire Nabrotzky, Scott & Ola Payne, Susan Fangrad and Carla Fangrad)
1999 - 92 - Mannheim Community Park, (Lothar and Olga Fangrad, Jason & Tricia Fangrad, Ralph, Deb, April and Michael Uloth)
2000 - 70 - Belwood Lake Conservation Area, (Heinz & Emmi Fangrad, Richard & Monica Krause, Stephen & Linda Huebner)
2001 - 65 - Belwood Lake Conservation Area, (Edelgard Nabrotzky, Ryan and Judy Brueckner, Walter & Irene Huebner)
2002 - 85 - Mannheim Community Park (Mark & Michelle Fangrad, Tim and Bobbi-Jo Thiessen, Dave and Rosie Cosstick)
2003 - 94 - Belwood Lake Conservation Area (Richard & Karen Fangrad, Paul & Gayle Fangrad, Monika Thiessen, Edelgard Nabrotzky)
2004 - 79 - Mannheim Park (Edelgard Nabrotzky, Ola Payne, Don & Moni Nickel, Tabea, Emmerich & Laurel Reinhardt)
2005 - 80 - Mannheim Park (Vern & Rita Starra, Tom and Charmaine Fangrad, Peter & Marsha Zein)
2006 - 79 - Mannheim Park - the sixtieth reunion (Olga & Lothar Fangrad, Linda Corey, Claudia & Gerald Vandecker)
2007 - 76 - Mannheim Park (Herb & Angela Fangrad, Linda Corey, Rick & Moni Krause)
2008 - 83 - Mannheim Park (Heinz & Emma Fangrad, Paul & Gayle Fangrad, Emma (Hart) Fangrad)
2009 - 81 - Mannheim Park (Bill & Monika Thiessen, Edelgard Nabrotzky, Ed & Claire Nabrotsky)
2010 - 57 - Mannheim Park (Ola & Boyd Hartwick, Edelgard Nabrotzky, Michelle & Mark Fangrad
2011 - 60 - Mannheim Park (Vern & Rita Starra, Edelgard Nabrotzky, Steve & Linda Huebner
2012 - 58 - Mannheim Park (Lothar & Olga Fangrad, Edelgard Nabrotzky, Tim & Bobbi Jo Thiessen
2013 - 52 - Mannheim Park (Herb & Angela Fangrad, Edelgard Nabrotzky, Tom & Charmaine Fangrad)
2014 - 45 - Mannheim Park (Edelgard Nabrotsky, Moni & Don Nickel, Paul & Gayle Fangrad, Monika & Bill Thiessen, Heinz & Emma Fangrad, Helga Krause, treasurer) Annual Reunions discontinued!
