Goch mourns the loss of his honorary citizen Willi Vaegs (89): a life's work ends

Goch mourns the loss of his honorary citizen Willi Vaegs (89): a life's work ends

A shadow hangs over Goch today because the city has to say goodbye to its former mayor Willi Vaegs. The honorary citizen died on June 28, 2025 at the age of 89. His death reportedly occurred surrounded by family who were by his side in his final days. Mayor Ulrich Knickrehm praised Vaegs' extraordinary commitment to the city and the deep roots he shared with Goch. He described Vaegs as a formative personality who will be remembered by all of us.

Willi Vaegs was born on Christmas Day 1935 in Goch. His professional career took him from his beginnings as a blacksmith and metalworker through his long-standing passion for the fire service to political engagement. From 1989 to 1999 he was the last honorary mayor of the city of Goch and had a significant influence on city events during these years. After his term in office, he was replaced as the first full-time mayor of Goch by Rolf Lange, which marked the end of the dual leadership of the city administration.

An outstanding legacy

Hard to believe, but in 2020 he was the first in 92 years to be made an honorary citizen of the city of Goch at the request of the local history association. The fact that he was given this honor speaks for the high reputation he enjoyed in the community. The many awards he received include the Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was awarded to him in 2008, and the Gold Medal of Honor from the Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts, which he received in 1999.

However, his involvement did not end with his political career. Vaegs was active well into his old age and was still committed to the renovation of the Five Rings House, the modernization of which was successfully completed last summer. In addition to his role as a popular mayor, Vaegs was also deputy fire chief of the Goch Volunteer Fire Department for a long time and received the Fire Department Cross of Honor in Gold in 1991 for his services.

Cultural commitment and community spirit

His heart also beat for carnival. In 1975 he celebrated great success as Prince Willi I and was an active member of the Gocher Carnival festival committee - RZK until his death. Vaegs also headed the Gocher Heimatverein from 2000 to 2019, where he led the club's fortunes for almost two decades and then became its honorary chairman.

Willi Vaegs' funeral will take place on Saturday, July 5, 2025, and the city will commemorate him in a fitting manner. With his death, Goch not only loses a great citizen, but also a person who played a key role in shaping the city's life and community for decades. His legacy will live on in the hearts of the citizens of Goch.

How Lokalklick.eu reports, Vaegs was not only an integral part of city politics, but also had a big heart for the community. Those too RP Online honors his diverse commitment, while his status as an honorary citizen on Wikipedia can be viewed as an important point in Goch's history.