Obituary for John Richard Klassen
John (aka )Jack Klassen passed away on Sunday morning of October 24, 2021 .
He was with his loving family at his side at Hilltop House in Squamish BC. Jack is preceded by his parents John and Anna Klassen. He is survived by the love of his life & wife Gladys (Epp) Klassen, Tamara Lamboley and Shannon Klassen (daughters), Gloria Tiedeman (sister) Kai, Anders and Chase Klassen-Ujejski (grandchildren) Joshua, Kim, Xing-lou, Aislinn and Milla Lamboley (grandchildren) All will deeply miss his enthusiastic spirit and his kind heart. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, whose generosity and desire for the best life has been instilled in all that knew him.
Jack was a high achiever. Retiring as the VP of Human Resources for the Royal Bank of Canada for Regional Toronto. An extremely successful career that started in rural Saskatchewan and blossomed and led him and his family across Canada. Jack was a motivational leader that valued people in a corporate environment. The bank was nothing without the people that worked there.
Jack was a multi talented person. His need for perfection was seen in all that he did, He would build nearly anything with ease: a shed, a dock, a skate ramp for his grandkids, you name it.. he would make it or repair it. He loved maintaining his fleet of vehicles and taking them for a drive. Road trips were frequent.
Of course Jack was an athlete. As a high level hockey player in his youth he expanded his sport repertoire annually. He was always interested in adventures and challenges and having his family & friends together during these recreational pursuits was his priority.
Travelling was a passion that seemed to grow bigger each year. In Jack & Gladys’ retirement it was difficult to keep track of their whereabouts, as they traversed the planet and enjoyed countless trips visiting their children, who learned these wanderlust ways.
In 2012, Squamish became Jack and Glady's new home. Looking for a new adventure in their 70’s, a long road trip from their beloved Oakville Ontario home of 25 years was left to begin his final chapter in the Coastal Rainforest. This new home was filled with promise of being closer to family and nature. Jack and his wife enjoyed longer walks in the woods, riverside & lakeside calmness & snowy mountain vistas.
When dementia struck, Jack held strong. For many years Jack would not surrender to it. Refusing its demise and protecting those he loved from the diagnosis. He fought it as his spirit would. Sadly this awful disease caught up to him but it could NOT take his dignity, humour, or his love for his family from him.
His infectious smile was seen until the bitter end!
May your soul now be free and in the company of angels. You live within all of us. We love you, Forever & Always.…
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to The Hilltop House in Squamish or the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation.
A Celebration of life for Jack will be announced at a later date.
May 3 1941 - October 24 2021
He was with his loving family at his side at Hilltop House in Squamish BC. Jack is preceded by his parents John and Anna Klassen. He is survived by the love of his life & wife Gladys (Epp) Klassen, Tamara Lamboley and Shannon Klassen (daughters), Gloria Tiedeman (sister) Kai, Anders and Chase Klassen-Ujejski (grandchildren) Joshua, Kim, Xing-lou, Aislinn and Milla Lamboley (grandchildren) All will deeply miss his enthusiastic spirit and his kind heart. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, whose generosity and desire for the best life has been instilled in all that knew him.
Jack was a high achiever. Retiring as the VP of Human Resources for the Royal Bank of Canada for Regional Toronto. An extremely successful career that started in rural Saskatchewan and blossomed and led him and his family across Canada. Jack was a motivational leader that valued people in a corporate environment. The bank was nothing without the people that worked there.
Jack was a multi talented person. His need for perfection was seen in all that he did, He would build nearly anything with ease: a shed, a dock, a skate ramp for his grandkids, you name it.. he would make it or repair it. He loved maintaining his fleet of vehicles and taking them for a drive. Road trips were frequent.
Of course Jack was an athlete. As a high level hockey player in his youth he expanded his sport repertoire annually. He was always interested in adventures and challenges and having his family & friends together during these recreational pursuits was his priority.
Travelling was a passion that seemed to grow bigger each year. In Jack & Gladys’ retirement it was difficult to keep track of their whereabouts, as they traversed the planet and enjoyed countless trips visiting their children, who learned these wanderlust ways.
In 2012, Squamish became Jack and Glady's new home. Looking for a new adventure in their 70’s, a long road trip from their beloved Oakville Ontario home of 25 years was left to begin his final chapter in the Coastal Rainforest. This new home was filled with promise of being closer to family and nature. Jack and his wife enjoyed longer walks in the woods, riverside & lakeside calmness & snowy mountain vistas.
When dementia struck, Jack held strong. For many years Jack would not surrender to it. Refusing its demise and protecting those he loved from the diagnosis. He fought it as his spirit would. Sadly this awful disease caught up to him but it could NOT take his dignity, humour, or his love for his family from him.
His infectious smile was seen until the bitter end!
May your soul now be free and in the company of angels. You live within all of us. We love you, Forever & Always.…
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to The Hilltop House in Squamish or the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation.
A Celebration of life for Jack will be announced at a later date.
May 3 1941 - October 24 2021