August, 2004 - Nr. 8
Saying "Good bye"…
…to a Dutch friend, who had taken the German community into his heart.
Henry Bunge, past president of the German Canadian Club Hansa, in Mississauga, for over 10 years, plus many years on the Board of Directors, and a good friend, died in his sleep – at the Peel Memorial Hospital on the 22nd of July 2004. Henry was 86 years old.
What a remarkable man. I have never heard anyone utter an unkind word about ‘Heini’.
He
had the uncanny ability to unify the diverse personalities that make up the
group of people that called the "Hansa Haus" their home. He just got things
done – and everyone helped – for the good of the club. Henry was always
accessible; continually on the job. His remarkable insight into the human
psyche seemed to have a lot to do with it.
Without great arguments or resentment by those involved, potentially thorny situations and problems were ironed out; solutions were found and implemented. Heini helped to keep the club functioning, growing and healthy.
Someone at the club once joked and said "I think that when the club takes inventory of their equipment, they also check-off one Henry Bunge". It is difficult to picture a future without him. His presence will be missed.
He recently had retired from the more active parts of the club’s activities. His health was starting to fail, a little bit at the time. We still found him at most of the club’s functions, even after his wife Irmgard died last year, and many marvelled at his resolve and determination to make the club his home away from home.
On July 26th the memorial service was held by Pastor Tom Doherty – who also greatly respected him as a friend, not just as a member of his congregation, at the Augsburg Lutheran Church - with subsequent interment at Brampton Memorial Gardens.
About a hundred of his closest friends and members of the club paid their last respects to this extraordinary human being.
A
wake at the Hansa Haus, later that afternoon, inaugurated many discussions
about ‘Heini’ among his friends – in an ambiance of sadness, as well as
laughter, but being proud of having had him for a friend.
