Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you…
On the Death of the Beloved by John O’Donohue
Hans Edel of North Vancouver died peacefully at Lions Gate Hospital on March 26th at 94 years of age.
A native of Leipzig, Germany, Hans grew up during the war years – eventually attending trade-school to become a millwright. After the war, Hans escaped what became East Germany to work in numerous occupations around various parts of West Germany until he immigrated to Canada. Hans spent his early years in Canada working in Ontario in a variety of occupations from farming to construction. Fed up with the cold Ontario winters, Hans made his way to Kitimat where he drove trucks transporting oxygen tanks for Kitimat Express then later to Vancouver where he worked for 35 years at Chubb Security. Starting as a repair person, Hans worked his way up through various roles at Chubb to eventually become Chubb’s Vancouver Branch Manager.
It was in Vancouver that Hans met the love of his life, Jean, whom he married in 1961 and together they welcomed two children: Michael and Robert. Hans and Jean had a long and happy marriage for 61 years.
An avid gardener, his back yard went through many iterations whether he was growing flowers, vegetables or fruits. An accomplished builder and woodworker, some of his prize creations were building a 12’ sailboat, a spinning wheel, furniture and toys for his grandchildren, and a workshop that, while being built, Jean immediately noted was “not going to be big enough” for all of Hans’s projects.
Hans retired from Chubb in 1993 after 35 years of service — keeping busy with woodworking projects and travelling extensively with Jean throughout Europe and many times to Hawaii. He cherished the memories of their many trips with friends and family. The weekly neighbourhood coffee meetings were also a highlight of Hans’s week — especially as he coped with the loss of his life partner, Jean. Although the group’s numbers diminished over the years, the meetings persisted, and even when Hans lost some of his mobility, his friends brought the meetings to him.
Hans will be missed by both his family and his many friends and neighbours who he considered himself fortunate to know. His family will remember him as their lodestar — a generous and gregarious, larger than life giant of a man, who cooked a mean Sunday dinner, served up with stimulating discussions on sports, world events and politics. An accomplished story-teller, Hans entertained us with tales of his many adventures over the years — from his journey out of East Germany to Canada and the various jobs he held as he made his way across the country — all of his stories usually ended with a laugh.
Predeceased by his beloved Jean in 2023 and several of his closest friends and neighbours, Hans will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his sons Mike (Kim) and Rob (Karen) and his grandsons Jamie and Daniel. The memories we hold dear are of his many backyard projects including the building of a geodesic dome — just to see if he could do it; a lifelong Canucks fan, who was usually critical of the officiating and always hoped to see the Canucks win the Stanley Cup during his lifetime; a grandfather who “knew everything” from baking bread to making glass; a man with an avid interest in watching other people work — whether it be Daniel’s work in Hans’s yard or critiquing other work going on around the neighbourhood; never letting Jamie win at chess; an accomplished story teller and, most of all, a devoted family man.
Hans wanted people to know that he appreciated all the opportunities he was given to build a successful life for himself and his family here in Canada. He also asked his family to express his thanks to the staff at the LGH Palliative Care ward for their care of him during his final days.
In keeping with Hans’ wishes, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation Hospice and Palliative Care Program.
Auf wiedersehen Hans – until we meet again
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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