Johannes "Hans" Gawenda

Hans passed away peacefully on August 30th, 2023 at Comox Valley Hospital with his beloved Helga at his side. Hans was born on May 7th, 1932 in Breslau , Germany. He was the eldest with three siblings Ute, Maria, and Fritz. Hans spent much of his youth playing guitar and breaking young ladies' hearts.

As a young man, he was drawn out to the world and the opportunities that awaited in North America. In 1953, Hans immigrated to Canada with 50 Deutschmarks in his pocket. Vancouver was to be his new home.

He began as a laborer taking any job to survive. Hans subsequently found employment at Woodwards, downtown Vancouver. He met a gentleman that was selling microscopes and research instruments from a sample briefcase. That briefcase soon became Han’s.

Hans had the drive and ambition to take that brief case of samples over the subsequent 45 years from his car, house, and garage and developed it into an internationally recognized supplier of world-class surgical research instruments, with offices in Vancouver, San Francisco and Heidelberg - Fine Science Tools Inc.

Through those early years he traveled constantly. His wife Dorthy and sons Michael and Rob, as tough as it was, supported Hans in his endeavor. As the boys became businessmen Micheal and Rob were actively involved in F.S.T.

Hans is predeceased by his wife Dorthy and son Micheal.

Hans was fortunate to meet his new love Helga, his partner of 17 years. He loved sailing, diving, cruising and exploring the world with Helga.

Hans is survived by Helga, his son Rob and wife Heather, 3 grandchildren, the Mars family and nephew Markus and wife Simone.

Hans was a warm and generous man, with an incredible number of close

friends, employees and associates who will miss his smile and kindness.

Helga would like to thank the team of Dr.s and nurses at Comox Valley Regional Hospital as well as Tracie and her team from Homeinstead who helped Hans so much with his quality of life over the last year.