Hans Hermann Deeke
Hans Hermann Deeke passed away peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital on Aug. 5, 2005. He was 76.
He was born and raised in Doehlen, West Germany. He was the eldest oftwo sons born to Wilhelm and Martha Deeke. On March 18, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Elfriede Moellenberg, and after several years, the couple moved to a farm in Holstein. In 1962, wanderlust took hold of Hans and Elfriede and their three children and brought them to a dairy farm in Quebec, where they were blessed with three more children, making their family complete. In 1969, wanderlust took hold once again, taking the family to Edwards, Ontario, where Hans was the manager of Black Magic Farms.
During the 1970's, Hans began his 20-year career with the City of Gloucester as pool maintenance operator. His early work hours afforded him the time to build a home on French Settlement Road in rural Kemptville. A pond and the planting of many trees turned their property into a park-like haven, which he was able to enjoy for many years.
Family was the number one priority, but Hans also had a great passion for travel and was an avid reader. He was proud to have seen not only all of Canada, but many of the United States as well, including Alaska.
Hans leaves behind Elfriede, his wife of 56 years; 6 children, Liesel Veilleux (Gilles), Uwe Deeke, Rita MacFeely, Ben Deeke (Carol), Monika Heykoop (Hank), and Gisela Billard-Cabana (Serge). He will be sadly missed by his 19 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and fondly remembered by Mary Mesman. He was a loving brother to Walter Deeke (Annelore), brother-in-law to Hermann Moellenberg (Margrit) and Lotte Mathe (Leo), and uncle to several nieces and nephews, all residing in Germany.
Family, friends and neighbors gathered at South Gower Cemetery for a graveside service on Aug. 9, 2005, followed by a time of fellowship at Shanly United Church. The service was officiated by Rev. Patricia Swann, the bag piping by Andrew Killick, the poem by Amanda Billard-Cabana and the eulogy was provided by Liesel Veilleux with a wonderful tribute and celebration of his life. Special thanks to pallbearers Gilles Veilleux, Laurent Veilleux, Stephan Veilleux, Hank Heykoop, Serge Billard-Cabana, and Matthew Maguire. Special thanks also to the UCW of Shanly. Arrangements were made under the care and direction of Grant Brown Funeral Home, Rolston Chapel in Kemptville.
The family would gratefully acknowledge donations to the Kidney Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.