DR. Helleiner was my teacher at Dalhousie.  He was an excellent teacher and a very kind distinguished gentleman.   He will always be in my heart.

With great respect;

vedpal Singh Malik

Dear Mrs.Helleiner and family,

I have never had the pleasure of meeting you nor any of your family but when I learned of Chris' passing I was prompted to pass along this short note to you.

Chris and I were in the same class for much of our time at Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto during the 1940's. I was surprised not in the least when I learned how his life unfolded following graduation from high school.

A graduate of UofT and Oxford,Head of the Biochemistry Department at Dalhousie,recipient of the Excellence for Teaching Award, teaching in Malaysia and Iqualuit ( I can just imagine how his Iqualuit students would thrive on his gentle manner and his own love of learning as he listened to them describe their growing up years in the Canadian Arctic; for a substantial part of my career I was closely associated with Canada's north),writing program notes for Symphony Nova Scotia and singing in choirs.That was Chris, connecting with people and loving life.

I recall how the teachers quickly developed a modus operandi with Chris whereby when they asked the class a question of some substance he would remain still,hand down. When it was clear that none of the rest of us had a clue what the answer was the teacher would quietly turn to his or her prize pupil and Chris would provide the correct answer. One in terms such that all the rest of us would understand.

I also recall how Chris was always willing to help any of us outside of the classroom when we were not sure of some point that had come up in class.

The gentle genius whom we all loved.

I see that Chris has two brothers who are also professors. I am not positive about this but I seem to recall that the word was that Chris' father was  a professor. When referred to always in hushed tones with considerable awe. Irrespective, his parents must have been very proud of their family.

This I do know, all of his classmates were very happy knowing Chris was with them.

Sincerely,

Dr.John Kennedy Naysmith Ph.D.,R.P.F.(Ret)

Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  Fran Barclay (Wellington, NS)

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. As a young college student he encouraged me to enter Biochemistry where he became my PhD. supervisor. I always considered him my mentor and my hero. He always had time for me and helped me with innumerable issues throughout the years, not only as a student but also as my life continued in the world of biochemistry. I am very saddened by his passing. I send my sincere condolences to his wife Mary and the entire family. Annalee Cohen

I will always remember Chris not only for his excellence as a teacher and mentor (from which I benefitted directly), but also for the commitment and level of accomplishment he brought to his many hobbies, such as music and birding. A truly remarkable man!

So very sorry for the loss of Dr. Helleiner.  When i first began in the Faculty of Medicine within the area of evaluation he was so kind and helpful to me. He was a respected teacher and i remember how students really appreciated his commitment to their learning.  I considered him a mentor over the years we worked together.  My sincere condolences to you and your family.  he will be missed.  Sharon Forward, Admissions & Student Affairs, Faculty of Medicine

Please, Mary, accept my condolences to you and to the rest of the Helleiner family.  I was greatly impressed by Christopher's vast knowledge in many fields and his always tactful and helpful way of sharing his expertise.  Although I had only a few chances to meet Christopher and you, Mary, in Nova Scotia and in Ottawa, my late partner Margaret Des Brisay very often spoke warmly and admiringly of her close friends the Helleiners so that I felt that my acquaintanceship was quite thorough.  When I next have wine of a sufficient quality which Christopher would have appreciated I will drink a toast to him and to you.

Mary we are so sorry for your loss. We have many fond memories of Chris at orchid society meetings and shows. He was so generous with his time and knowledge, and we learned so much from him over the years.

Dear Mary,
You and Chris have been our neighbours for 36 years. It will be very strange not to see him out in your wonderful garden. His quiet presence will be missed. Warmest regards and condolences to you, Edie and Meg, and your grandchildren.  Joanne McCormick

We will miss Chris greatly, he has for many years been a great friend, his company was always entertaining and informative.  As a notable gardener, birder, musician, chemist and teacher he gave generously to the city and his friends, his life enriched us all and for that we are profoundly grateful.  Our sincere condolensces go out to Mary and the family.

So sorry to hear that Uncle Chris passed away last week.  Although it has been many years since I have seen some members of our Helleiner family, I still have fond memories of visits to Halifax from my childhood. Heading to the East Coast in the 70's to see cousins Edie and Meg. Then actually living there for several months before continuing on to Nigeria in 1976. I know you all will take comfort in the great memories and wonderful stories that will help keep Uncle Chris' memory alive.  Thinking of you during this sad time, Wendy Hargreaves(Helleiner)

Dear Mary and family, 
I was so very sorry to hear of Chris's death. Chris was not only a gifted teacher but also an incredibly supportive colleague and mentor of junior faculty, helping us to learn how to teach more effectively and inspiring us with his interest in and enthusiasm for biochemistry and molecular biology.  He will be missed.

Mary and family, sorry to read of Chris' recent death. May he rest in peace.

Elizabeth Ann Macdonald, Dartmouth, NS

Dear Mary, our deepest condolences on your loss. We remember Chris' contributions to the orchid community. Always knowledgeable, helpful and generous in his advice. A personable and kind man. We will miss him. 
Juta & Paul Cabilio

We remember the contribution he made to music, especially Symphony Nova Scotia through his programme notes,, and wish the family strength in this sad time.  Bernhard and Shirley Gueller

Dear Mary, Edie and Margaret,

Jean and I were greatly saddened by the news of Chris' death.  He was an exceptional man: but I don't have to tell you that.  His intellectual gifts and impressive knowledge and expertise in many areas could be intimidating: but he was such a gentleman and genuinely nice human being that he quickly put one at ease.  He was a superb teacher, and while I was never able to come close to him in that regard, I strove to emulate him, and he helped me enormously when I began my career in the Department of Biochemistry in the 1970s, and continued to support me and others in the department throughout his tenure there.  I still maintain the jewel orchid he gave me several decades ago, and every time it blooms, I think of him.

Our thoughts are with you.

Mike Gray

Dear Mary Our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time. Chris will be greatly missed. Faye& Yvon

Our thoughts are with your family and our wishes for the day when you feel comforted by the music, bird songs, and vistas that bring happy memories of your time with such a special man.

Dear Mary, Sincere condolences to you and your family.

Dear Mary and family

Your husband, father and grandfather has always been here in my life in Halifax --, first in Crousetown, then later in the background while I enjoyed the Halifax Music Scene and more recently when I had the privilege of singing madrigals with him.In his memory we sang a German four part song about the goings on on the market in Koln. Halifax will be very different without him...

My heart-felt condolences
Wietske Gradstein

As well as being a superb teacher, Chris was an excellent mentor to me [and probably others] as a newly arrived, and new to Canada, junior professor in the Biochemistry Department at Dalhousie. We shall miss him.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Christopher Walter Helleiner

21 mars 1930 – 18 octobre 2016

Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home

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