Mr. Anton Vivian Stander

Anton Vivian Stander was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 23, 1936, and died peacefully at the Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack on May 1, 2014, at the age of 78. Anton was raised in South Africa, predominantly Johannesburg, and was a proud alumni of Jeppe Boys School. Following his matriculation, he became the first of his family to obtain post-secondary education, by acquiring a teaching diploma. He began teaching at the young age of 20, and actually taught Juanita (who would become his wife a little more than a year later),

when she was in her fi nal year of school in Forest High School. Following the marriage of Anton and Juanita in 1958, they emigrated to Canada, choosing the frigid temperatures of Winnipeg over the heat of their native land. One school year in Manitoba was sufficient to prompt a move to warmer climes, so they drove across the continent for Anton to take up a new teaching job in Port Hardy, B.C., at the far

north of Vancouver Island. His first son, Delwen, was born in 1959, in nearby Port Alice. A few months later, itchy feet led the family back to South Africa, where his second son, Ashley, was born in Vryheid, Natal. Not long after, in a pattern which was to repeat itself many times over the years, this sojourn back in South Africa was interrupted by yet further teaching jobs back in B.C., both on Vancouver Island, and in the Kootenays. Following yet another return to South Africa in 1963 – 1964, Anton and family returned to Canada, and took up residence

in Harrison Hot Springs. A year later, in 1965, his only daughter, Celeste, was born in the Chilliwack Hospital, while they were living in

Agassiz. Following this, Anton moved his family to Monte Lake in 1966 (where he was principal at a 2 room school), and then Kamloops

in 1967, where he taught at various schools. In 1970, it was off to Africa again, this time to Rhodesia, where he first taught at a private school, and later lectured in the Teachers’ Training College in Bulawayo. In 1973, he and his family were back in Canada – Kamloops again – but just for 1 school year. After that, he moved his family back to Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1974, to teach first at Forest High School (again), and later to lecture teachers-in-training at the Goudstad College. In 1979, after his two sons had both repatriated to Canada, he,

Juanita, and Celeste came back too, and he resumed teaching in Chilliwack area high schools. He did this well into the 1990’s, continuing to be a substitute after he had resigned from full time work. During his many years as a teacher, he left an indelible mark on his students, many of whom continue to credit him for making a significant difference in their education and life training. He will be remembered for this above

all else. He was a superlative teacher, and a great mentor to many children and young adults. He selflessly gave of his time in

tutoring well after retiring. He was also a man of diverse and varied talents. Not content with just a teacher’s diploma, he added two Bachelor degrees and a Master’s degree in Education in the1960’s, and followed this up with a Master of Arts degree in literature in 1974. He was

gifted linguist, and spoke several languages. He was extremely clever with his hands, and painted, created, and made many fine heirlooms for his family over the years. He was well known for his intricate and ornate piñatas, which he delighted in making for special occasions. He was a spiritual man, and was very involved in his churches, Sunday Schools, and church choirs over his many years, and routinely devoted much time to helping the poor and praying for many souls and causes. His knowledge of the Bible and the great hymns was prodigious.

He was, in his latter years, very involved with his wife in the SPCA, and had a great love for dogs especially. He enjoyed listening to

his classical music, he watched old movies like the cowboy fi lms of his youth, he collected miniature cars, he wrote whimsical poems,

and he carried on a concerted campaign of e-mails to his many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his eldest brother in the 1950’s, and both his parents in the 1970’s, and all but one of his brothers and sister in the years since. He is survived in that family by his

brother Wendel alone. He is survived in his Canadian Stander clan by his wife, Juanita, his son, Delwen (Veronica), his son, Ashley (Cathy), and his daughter, Celeste (Kevin), along with his grandchildren, Stirling (Mandi), Asha, Keileigh, Seanne, Christiaan, Shannon, and Kyle. He also

leaves behind numerous in-laws, nephews, and nieces in Canada, the U.S.A., and South Africa. His Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Thomas Church, in Chilliwack, on May 8, 2014, at 4:00p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to either the Chilliwack S.P.C.A. or the Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Funeral Homes & Crematorium Ltd., Chilliwack, British Columbia.