Siegfried Karl Goliath

Siegfried Goliath was born on November 21, 1928, in Gross-Schiemanen, Germany.  His parents, Fritz and Marie Goliath were members of the Baptist Church in Ortelsburg, Ostpreussen, Germany.  After finishing school, he started as an apprentice in the Agriculture Ministry of the Provence (Ostpreussen).

Siegfried was converted to a personal faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 15 and baptized in Ortelsburg together with his brother Henry Goliath.  Both became members of the Ortelsburg Baptist Church on May 28, 1944.

At the age of 16 he was drafted into the German Army.  On May 4, 1945, he was wounded in action in the city of Bremen and was taken as a prisoner of World War II shortly after that.

World War II and post wartime brought great loss and suffering to the Goliath family.  His father, Fritz Goliath died in a Russian prison camp.  After the war ended, Siegfried was separated from his family for a year.  He finally located them and was reunited with his mother and six siblings in 1946.  He supported the entire family for the next three years by working in a coal mine.

In 1951, he with his brother Henry, immigrated to Canada.  They settled in Winnipeg and became members of the Mission Baptist Church.  In 1953 they moved to Vancouver B.C. and joined the Bethany Baptist Church.

In 1955 he became a founding member of the Immanuel Baptist Church.  He served the church as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and sang in the male choir.

On September 20, 1957, Siegfried married his loving wife Hilde, with whom he had the privilege of sharing his life with for over 66 years.  This marriage was blessed with three children, Karin, Randy, and Annette.

In 1995, he and his wife Hilde became members of the Bethany Baptist Church.

Siegfried liked singing in the male choir, studying the Bible, reading, and taking long trips by car.  Sometimes he was persuaded into doing garden work by his wife.

He worked as a Sheet Metal Mechanic and Gas Fitter for 36 years and retired at 62.  After retirement, Siegfried and Hilde enjoyed traveling and many winters in Palm Springs.

Siegfried will be best remembered for his lively spirit, work ethic, generosity and his passion towards family and church.

In July of 2022, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  After battling the illness for 20 months, God called him home on March 21st, 2024.  He was surrounded by his family when he left to be with the Lord. 

Siegfried was pre-deceased by his father, mother, brothers – Herbert and Henry and by his sister Hanni.

Siegfried is survived by his loving wife, Hilde, daughter Karin, son Randy (Lorrie), daughter Annette (John); grandchildren, Alexandra (Cody), Hannah (Josh), Olivia (Cassidy); great-grandchildren, Theo, Stella & Maeve; sisters Sonja and Sieglinde and brother Fritz (Sigrid).