Petersen, Hank

Apr 11, 1925 – Nov 14, 2014
It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Henry (Hank) Petersen born on April 11, 1925 in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia and died on November 14, 2014 in Oliver, BC. Hank was predeceased by his parents Karla and Christian Petersen and his older brother, Carl Christian Petersen.

Henry is survived by his loving soulmate of  58 years, Joan Margaret Petersen, his six children, Christian, Paul (Donna), Michael ( Louisa), Katharine (David), Karen (Stephen), and Terrence (Dee) and his adored grandchildren: Ryan, Anne-Marie, David, Ian, Samantha, Sean, Graeme, Matthew, Mark, Laura, Jenelle, Shay and Simon.

Henry spent his childhood in Copenhagen, Denmark, and served in the Danish underground movement during WW2 as a young man.  In 1950 he journeyed to Ontario, Canada to study rural farming techniques. The lure of the west coast enticed him and he first worked at Wood Fibre Pulp Mill before becoming a salmon fisher with his own troller.  After the loss of his vessel during a heavy storm off Texada Island, he pursued a career in education.

Henry spent one year at Normal School in Vancouver and began his career at SOSS, teaching senior social studies. He became a Canadian Citizen in 1955, and moved to Oliver where he fell in love with Nurse Joan Ryan.  They were married in December 1956 in the Chapel of St. Martin’s Hospital. He was appointed Vice-Principal of the school in Osoyoos and the Vice-Principal of the Oliver Elementary School. In 1973 Hank was selected as Principal of OES, where he served for the next fifteen years until retiring in 1988.  He inspired and enriched the lives of students which earned him the respect of many. Hank was a man of enormous integrity.

Henry was a consummate gentleman. He was an outdoor enthusiast, and a keen athlete with a deep appreciation for the arts.  His favourite times were spent sharing his passions with his family. He will be dearly missed.

At the  rising of the sun and at its setting,
We remember him.
As long as we live, he too will live
For he is now a part of us,
As we remember him.

He served as a volunteer on the board of the Southern Okanagan Association for Integrated Community Living (SOAICL).   In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that donations may be made to SOAICL (Box138, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0).

A funeral mass will be celebrated by Fr. Neil Lustado at 11:00 A.M. Friday November 21, 2014 at Christ the King Catholic Church followed by a reception in the church lower hall.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.