Kitchener, Ontario — Uwe Sendel, a former president of Pano Cap Canada Ltd., died unexpectedly as a result of a stroke on Oct. 15 in Kitchener. He was 84.
Sendel worked at Pano Cap from 1967 until he retired in 2000, said Alan Laderoute, general manager and vice president sales.
"Not only was Uwe a friend and colleague, he was instrumental in establishing Pano Cap as a highly regarded closure manufacturer in North America, allowing us to develop into the company we are today," Laderoute said in an Oct. 19 announcement.
Born in Germany, Sendel was living in Montreal when the opportunity came along to help start a Canadian manufacturing location for Pano Verschluss GmbH, a German closure company.
Together with Karl Nofer, who got some old equipment up and running, Sendel "set out with his positive and genuine personality and began finding customers, some of which we still serve today.
"Uwe will be remembered for his natural easygoing attitude and genuine charm. He was always engaging and active in all facets of life, and enjoyed the outdoors playing tennis and golf whenever possible."
Pano Cap Canada makes a variety of plastic caps and closures and has sister companies in Germany and Brazil.
Sendel is survived by his wife Teresa, and three children. Services were held Oct. 28. Donations can be made in his memory to the Grand River Hospital Foundation — Cancer Centre or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.