Gustav "Gus" Adolf Binkle

Gus was born in Germany on February 3rd, 1935. He married Ursula Norheimer on March 17th, 1956. The couple and their three children, Christine, Gus, and Karin, emigrated to Canada in 1965. Daughter Janet was born in Canada in 1966.

Gus was predeceased by his wife Ursula on February 24th, 2025. They were married for 69 years and had many adventures together.

In Canada, Gus and Ursula first resided in Maple Ridge. Gus was a volunteer firefighter while living in what was then called Haney. In 1974, Gus and Ursula bought property in McConnell Creek, Mission. They lived in their McConnell Creek home for more than 40 years. Gus enjoyed growing a huge vegetable garden and Ursula had flowers and shrubs of all kinds. They regularly invited family and friends for dinners and bonfires. Two family weddings were hosted on the property. Everyone was always welcome.

Gus was a millwright for most of his working years, employed at a sawmill in Pitt Meadows. After he retired, he spent a few years helping Ursula with her postal route, until she also retired.

They loved to travel and they toured throughout Europe and North America and visited Cuba and Rarotonga in the South Seas. They loved hiking and camping and, on summer weekends and vacation, could usually be found somewhere in the back country of BC. Gus loved his Jeep and four-wheeling, a fondness he seems to have passed on to many of the grandchildren. In their retirement years Gus and Ursula could be found on the water, fishing, canoeing and sailing. Children and grandchildren often were invited to join their adventures.

Both Gus and Ursula were very active members of the McConnell Creek community, donating many hours of volunteer service to the Hall and the community at large. They were active members of the Valley Power and Sail Squadron. Gus became an excellent sailor, teaching sailing and navigation courses to others.

Up until his death, Gus was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Mission. He and Ursula enjoyed weekly services, potluck lunches, and visiting with friends. The children of the congregation always had a special place in Gus’ heart. Gus was a supporter of many outreach projects, such as the Food bank and the Christmas Hamper Project.

For most of his life, Gus was blessed with excellent health. He was a firm believer in “staying in shape” and he could regularly be seen running his daily 10km along the roads and trails of McConnell Creek. He loved to swim and he swam almost every day of his life, both at the Mission Leisure Center and in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Cold water never was a deterrent! Gus was swimming laps in the pool well into his late eighties. To keep Ursula company, he also participated in fitness classes and walks around his neighborhood.

Gus was a lifelong learner, and he always seemed to have some new interest or project on the go. In addition to learning to sail and whitewater canoe, and fly fish, he also took up classes in French conversation. He and Ursula travelled to Montreal and Quebec City, and he was very pleased to be able to converse with the locals.

Gus enjoyed music of all varieties and both he and Ursula loved to dance. They danced together for almost seven decades! In his younger years, Gus sang tenor in a men’s choir.

Throughout his life, Gus enjoyed dogs. In his younger years, he trained dogs to search and track and he often assisted local police with new dog recruits. After Gus no longer had dogs of his own, he helped his grandchildren train their dogs on Fraser River trails.

During his years in Germany, Gus took flying lessons and had a pilot licence for small planes. He loved to be up in the clouds! Ursula was always nervous of him flying up there and Gus eventually limited his flying to helicopter rides with friends and commercial airline trips.

Gus was a skilled craftsman at working with wood. He made many items and has left behind three beautiful cedar strip canoes made for his family to enjoy. They are being put to good use by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gus and Ursula’s last few years together were spent at Chartwell Cedarbrook Retirement Home in Mission. They made many friends there and participated in activities and social events. Gus enjoyed a good cup of coffee or Espresso, a nice glass of red wine, and good food. He had a fondness for sweets, especially Ursula’s homemade baking. At his last home in Maplewood House, he would still enjoy an extra helping of dessert and he would share chocolate and have coffee with visitors.

Gus kept in touch with friends and relatives all over the world. He used his computer and email to send pictures and jokes and to make plans to meet up again!

Gus will be missed by and lovingly remembered by a large extended family, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He passes on his love of the outdoors, his enjoyment of the “finer things in life’, and his zest for life. He always said that “every day was a beautiful day”.

One of the delights of Gus’ life was to be an Opa and Uropa. He supported his grandkids in all endeavors and he attended many concerts, lessons, and sporting events. No matter how early in the morning and on the coldest of days, he would be there cheering on the next generation.

We will all treasure these memories of a long and exuberant life, lived to the fullest. Survived by daughters Christine (Darrell) Paul, Karin Shank, and Janet (Brian) McNeil and son Gus Binkle. Gus was Opa to his grandchildren Jennifer (Tracy) Maddison, Teresa (Jeff) Malahoff, Alisha Binkle (Mark), Nathan Paul (Gabby), Aaron Paul (Stephanie), Emily von Hardenberg ( Derek),Ben Paul (Savannah), Nolan Paul (Hannah), Martin Shank, Wesley Shank (Kaitlyn), Darrell Shank (Shantelle), Trent McNeil (Sarah), and Kurt McNeil. At family gatherings, the great grandchildren were Uropa’s delight. Greatgrands are Jonathan Brines, Kevin and Derek Maddison, Alex Malahoff, Oliver, Ava, and Isaac von Hardenberg, William, Ivy, Everett, Everly, Brinley Paul, and Scarlett Shank and Payton McNeil.

Thankful for the blessing of a devoted father, Opa, and Uropa.

Forever in our hearts.