te Winkel
Johannes “Hans” Jacobus
March 15, 1939 – July 25, 2009
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Husband, Dad, and Opa on July 25, 2009. Hans leaves to mourn Corrie, his wife of 48 years; sons: Harry (Patti), John (Shaylene), Andre (Paula), Nico (Naomi); and his daughter Joka (Dene). He will also be missed by his grandchildren; Tim, Kris, Nick, Stasia (Yosuke), Brianna, Saskia, Coleton, Miranda, Jessica, Nicholas, Alexander, Alanna, Dylan, and Michelle; and great grandchild Ayla; plus family and friends around the globe. He is now with Hansje, their first born son who passed away in 1962.
Hans was born in Tonden, the Netherlands. He married Corrie in 1961 and started raising a family. They immigrated in 1981 to the Grande Prairie area of Alberta. Always a hard worker, he held various jobs as well as tending to his hobby farm – being called “the gentle farmer” by his friends and neighbours there. One of his favorite jobs was working with Katimavik kids building campsites near Hythe, Alberta. Since the age of 10, Hans has raised pet birds. At one point he and his wife imported breeding stock ranging from budgies and cockatiels, to rosellas and barrabands from Holland. These birds made the move along with the family to the Comox Valley for his “semi-retirement” in 1988. It was here where he finally realized his boyhood dream of making a living from his hobby of raising birds, at one point having 40 aviaries. He loved sharing his knowledge with others and was the founder of the local bird club. He was well known as “Hans, the Bird Man”. Hans had a great appreciation of nature, one of the reasons for immigrating to Canada, and loved to play the organ – self taught- at family events. He loved his family, was a loving husband, father and Opa until his illness took him away. We will miss the bunny ears at Easter and Santa hat at Christmas, and the sparkle in his eyes always.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Diabetic Association would be appreciated.
A small family service was held.