Wolfgang Ordung, a beloved figure in the Oakville community, recently marked a significant milestone by celebrating his 90th birthday in June. Known for his vibrant personality and dedication, Ordung has been a long-time fixture at Florence Meats on Speers Road, where he has worked for over 16 years.
Before joining Florence Meats, Ordung spent 38 years running his own butcher shop, Mari's Delicatessen, in Oakville. After retiring, he realized he missed the daily interactions and connections he built with his customers. This longing led him to effectively "un-retire" and return to the bustling atmosphere of the butcher shop, taking on a role at Florence Meats.
Expressing his happiness, Ordung shared, "I'm feeling great. I can't be any happier than I am right now with all of my friends and my customers that I have here that I've known, some of them for years and years and years." His words reflect the deep bonds he has cultivated throughout his career.
To celebrate both his birthday and his dedicated service to the community, Florence Meats organized an appreciation party on Saturday. The gathering was a heartfelt recognition of Ordung's contributions to the community over the years.
Damien Goriup, the owner of Florence Meats, noted the close connection between Ordung and the shop's customer base. "We weren't too far away from each other; we had separate businesses, but we had a similar customer base," he explained. His prior relationships with many customers contributed to a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Florence Meats.
Ordung is not merely a figurehead; he is actively engaged in his work. Goriup added, "He's not just putting in time, he's very busy. We look forward to him coming in. He has certain jobs that he does, and he fulfills those, and he keeps the rest of the employees positive." This sentiment was echoed by Carol Goriup, who highlighted Ordung's impact on staff morale.
The appreciation party saw an endless stream of regular customers coming in to show their affection for Ordung, bringing birthday cards, gifts, and plenty of hugs. Themed "Hungry Like The Wolf," the event featured a variety of German-inspired sausages, honoring Ordung's German roots before moving to Canada in 1959.
In addition to celebrating Ordung, the event also served as a fundraiser for Oakville's Lighthouse for Grieving Children. This community-centric approach reflects Ordung's own commitment to giving back and supporting others, illustrating the deep connections he has forged over the decades in his local community.
