John Theodorus Engel

It is with a heavy heart that the family of John Engel announce his passing in Hinton, at the age of 96.

He was predeceased by his mother and father (Anna and Jan) from Holland, his homeland.  His Wife of 55 years Eva (Kuilboer) Engel.  Also, many brothers and sister in-laws (Kuilboer, Sivik, Verteegeden, Leakvold and Malo).

Survived by his son John (Chris Munro)  daughters Mary-Ann (Wayne) Burlet, Pat Gubbe and Peggy Erickson.  Grandchildren Lisa Burlet, Christopher (Rai-anne) Burlet, Sarah (Kendall) DeVries and Michael Erikson.  Great Grandchildren Emily, Megan, Aspen and Oliver Burlet and Charlee and Jordyn DeVries. Four brother in-laws (Kuilboer), many nieces and nephews and a cousin in Holland.

John was born in Holland, where he went to grade school until he reached the age for trade School to become a mechanic. He joined the Dutch army and was stationed in Indonesia, as a mechanic.

He loved to dance, play soccer and to have fun. It was at a Sunday dance where he had met Eva.  He followed Eva to Canada, where they got engaged and then eventually got married. He immigrated in 1952, landed in Quebec. Then he moved to Southern Alberta (Taber, Grassy Lake area) where he worked  as a mechanic and on beet farms.  They moved to Edson, where he worked as a mechanic until 1958, when he got a job at the Hinton Pulp Mill (as an equipment operator) and stayed until his retirement. He did extra jobs as a carpenter, helping build houses and apartment buildings in and around Hinton.

He joined the Hinton Fire department, curling league and the local soccer team in his earlier years in Hinton. He was recognized for his abilities as a great soccer player in newspaper articles that we found.  He also coached the youth soccer team.

He enjoyed working with wood, making bird houses and little projects like flower boxes.  He was very proud of his yard (the greenest lawn on the street).

John loved to fish, camp and usually just around Jasper and Hinton area.  John and Eva travelled after retirement as much as they could. They travelled through the US and Canada with their fifth wheel.  Their first cruise was for their 25th wedding anniversary.  Always said it was a holiday of a lifetime.  He cruised later to the Panama Canal, Southern and Northern Caribbean a couple times and Hawaii.

His favorite saying of late was “Don’t Get Old” and when someone asked how he was his response was ”Without”.

His weary hours and days of getting old                                             
His troubled nights are past,                                                    
And in our aching hearts we know                                                         
He has found sweet rest at last.                                             
The rolling stream of life rolls on,
But still the vacant chair
Recalls the love, the voice, the smile,  
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Theodorus Engel, please visit our floral store.