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Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz

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Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz

Birth	:	1907
Death	:	1988 Ontario, Canada
Burial	:	Greenhill Cemetery, Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate	:	42.0362701, -82.7465134
Description	:	Stafford Kratz was an amateur Canadian wildlife cinematographer. He spent many years filming mostly birds in Point Pelee National Park and Rondeau Provincial Park in southwestern Ontario. Using primarily Super 8 cameras and film, Staff spent many summers in Rondeau commencing in 1977. His primary focus was on documenting nesting birds and he would go to great lengths to find nests and set up blinds and towers to work his cameras. Time had no meaning for Staff when he was pursuing a bird that he needed for his film records. Much of his blind and... Read More	Stafford Kratz was an amateur Canadian wildlife cinematographer. He spent many years filming mostly birds in Point Pelee National Park and Rondeau Provincial Park in southwestern Ontario. Using primarily Super 8 cameras and film, Staff spent many summers in Rondeau commencing in 1977. His primary focus was on documenting nesting birds and he would go to great lengths to find nests and set up blinds and towers to work his cameras. Time had no meaning for Staff when he was pursuing a bird that he needed for his film records. Much of his blind and camera equipment was homemade, crafted in his efficient workshop where he would spend many relaxing hours on woodworking or devising mechanical devices for birding. He built his own boats, boat trailer, photo blinds and towers and even altered standard cameras to enhance how he filmed. He was extremely particular in how he edited, spliced and presented his bird films. Stafford Kratz was a selfless and energetic naturalist who was always ready to spend time with park visitors at Rondeau. He was an avid member of the Sunparlour Nature Club and would tirelessly circuit through other clubs and organizations to show his films. He was an effective ambassador in popularizing birding in Essex and Kent counties, spreading the environmental gospel and mentoring younger naturalists. He was content in spreading the message and didn't seek personal attention. He contributed greatly to the documentation of natural heritage in Rondeau, all as a volunteer. His films are kept at Point Pelee National Park and in a private collection. The Super 8 medium is much dated now (2014), soundless and requiring long-obsolete projectors. But his films are testaments to his dedication and are important keystone records of avifauna in Rondeau and Point Pelee. Staff married his wife Ruth late in life. He served with the Canadian forces during World War II, part of the time in Newfoundland. Stafford Kratz was a gentleman who is missed and remembered. [Thanks to P. Allen Woodliffe for information used in this tribute and for helping locate the attached photographs of his old friend and mentor Staff Kratz.]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz's memorial?
Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz's memorial is located at: Greenhill Cemetery, Kingsville, Essex County, Canada.
When did Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz death?
Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz death on 1988 in Ontario, Canada
Where are the coordinates of the Stafford O. “Staff” Kratz's memorial?
Latitude: 42.0362701
Longitude: -82.7465134

Family Members:

Parent

Stafford Herbert Kratz

(1870 - 1962)

Ivy Blanche Ayers Kratz

(1877 - 1965)

Spouse

Ruth K Kratz

(1906 - 1986)

Siblings

William John MacKenzie “Mack” Kratz

(1900 - 1981)

Marjorie Ivy Kratz Fox

(1901 - 1972)

Elizabeth Grace Kratz

(1904 - 1986)

Violet Sheila Kratz Michie

(1909 - 1997)

Boyne Ronald Kratz

(1913 - 1933)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenhill Cemetery
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0362701, -82.7465134

2. Pearl Street Cemetery
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0374200, -82.7460200

3. Church of the Epiphany Anglican Cemetery
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0380530, -82.7442180

4. Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0668600, -82.7497900

5. Gosfield Cemetery
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0712060, -82.7390520

6. Fairview Cemetery
Ruthven, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0619870, -82.6569760

7. Graceland
Olinda, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0867351, -82.6707050

8. Olinda United Cemetery
Olinda, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0885400, -82.6716400

9. Ruthven United Cemetery
Ruthven, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0489300, -82.6445000

10. Iler Baptist Cemetery New
Essex, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 41.9988170, -82.8394000

11. Olinda Baptist Cemetery
Olinda, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0887800, -82.6664100

12. Iler Settlement Old Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 41.9962050, -82.8417450

13. Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery
Leamington, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0475400, -82.6311200

14. Tofflemire Snider Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 41.9962850, -82.8549600

15. Cottam Cemetery
Cottam, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.1357860, -82.7535720

16. Ferriss Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0404730, -82.8907090

17. Lakeview Cemetery
Leamington, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0415100, -82.6021800

18. Erie Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Leamington, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0426240, -82.6005580

19. Home Cemetery
Leamington, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0573100, -82.5903400

20. Bayview Cemetery
Leamington, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0302570, -82.5854320

21. Early Methodist Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0359150, -82.9130730

22. North Ridge Cemetery
Kingsville, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.1568640, -82.7905260

23. Harrow British Methodist Episcopal Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0347040, -82.9156590

24. Baptist Cemetery
Harrow, Essex County, Canada
Coordinate: 42.0312800, -82.9157300