Hendricus Aarsen
May 4, 2025
May 4, 2025
May 4, 2025
On My 4th we lost a great man, a great father and wonderful husband. Hank Aarsen passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his Spouse Sylvia. He was predeceased by 3 of his children. Rene, Leisje and Cor. No parent should say goodbye to one child. Hank had to say goodbye to 3 of them. For many this would be too much. For him it was a testament of his strength. He loved kids. So much so that any child that was under his care he loved like they were his own. His legacy is the children, grandkids and great grandkids left behind.
Born in The Netherlands, he immigrated to Canada in the 50s. He had a wife, 2 small children and 1 on the way. Sadly he was the last remaining person of those 5. He had nothing of value when he came except his Love and his work ethic. He was a young boy growing up in occupied Holland. He witnessed horrors we only hear about. One of his strongest memories was that of a Canadian soldier walking down the street giving him a piece of gum. It was at that moment I think he wanted to ba Canadian. He was a very proud Canadian, even though Canadians were cruel to him when he arrived. Yes he faced racism, poverty, exclusion, but all those things are what made him stronger and the wanting to belong. It is those early days that made him the great man he became.
Our dad, worked 20 hour days to provide for us because he knows of the days when his 2 oldest children foraged food from dumpsters. He wanted a better life for his family and ultimately strangers. His work ethic and drive earned him respect in the community. He started his own business because the shop owners would ask for him personally to deliver their goods. Through his work ethic and business he became part of the community. So what do you do when you are part of a community? You give back!. Hank Aarsen gave back in so many ways. He hired people and gave them a chance where others may not have. His workers were his family and he was responsible for their well being. He made sure they could also have a family and provide for them. As a man of extreme faith, he joined church organizations, helped out with community events, coached hockey teams even though he never knew how to skate. Most parents coach the team their kid was on. I played on the Rep A team. My dad coached the Rep B team. That was who he was. The guy who wanted to help as many kids as possible and to this day his kids still call him coach and tell me how he made them feel special and inspired them.
His giving did not stop at the arena or the church. He was a true christian. He opened up a drop in center for the downtrodden. The alcoholics, the people without. He called this place THE ARK. He fed them. Gave them a place to drop in and get warm. He drove them home to their families. He never judged them, just helped them. IF they wanted counselling he would offer that but never demanded it. He drove countless men to treatment centres if they wanted more help. Who paid for the, food, the games, the shelter, the gas? He did. He funded it all, way before anything like we have today. This was the man we knew, admired and looked up to. As a 10 year old boy he taught me the value of giving back. He was always there if you wanted a hand up, everyone deserves a hand up he taught us. He would help with a hand out but if you wanted a hand up then he went out of his way to do all he could for you.
There are too many stories, businesses, people and ventures to mention. He gave until last days and at 91 he could give no more. For those that knew him, I hope they remember his kindness, his love of life and his boisterous laugh. For us kids that are left behind, we can only hope to be half as good of man that he was. For his wife that he loved dearly, his biggest concern was to make sure she was taken care of even after he was gone.
RIP Dad, Husband, Friend. You truly deserve to be in peace.
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