Harry met the love of his life “Alie” during the German occupation of Holland in WW2. After the Fall of Holland, he was sent to a German work camp where he contracted Typhoid fever and was sent home to “get well”. When he was due to return to the work camp he decided to not return and went “underground” instead. While Harry was hiding at the home of a family friend, he saw their eldest daughter, Alida, and fell in love.
They were engaged in 1947 and married on September 26, 1951. They immigrated to Canada in 1957 with 3 sons (Hans, Peter, and Paul). Harry was soon employed as a chemist for Imperial Oil in the town of Devon, where they spent the next 13 years (Harry would remark that looking back these were the best years of his life) and had four more children (Tim, Anna, Mark & Michael). In 1970, Harry was transferred to Calgary to open a new Gas plant in Millarville (Quirk Creek) where they spent the next seven years living in the clean country air. In 1979, they moved back to Calgary where he resided until his passing. Harry retired in 1986 after more than 30 years of service with Imperial Oil.
Harry was a dedicated “Family man” he wanted nothing more than to be with his family. He loved to laugh, enjoyed a good joke or even a bad joke, and relished practical jokes. He valued education and was proud that all seven of his children attended post secondary schools.
Harry will be missed by his family: Hans (Toni) of Puebla, Mexico, Tim (Reina) of Puebla, Mexico, Anna (James ) of Victoria, Mark (Suzanne) of Kelowna, and Michael (Tessie) of Calgary. He leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Harry was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Alida “Alice” Tieman, his son Peter (Ellen) of Medicine Hat, his son Paul (Pat) of Calgary, and his daughter-in-law Lynn LaForge-Tieman (Hans) of Calgary.
The Family would like to thank Dr. Scott Dowden and the staff of the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic for their outstanding support and care; as well, sincere thanks to the staff of Chinook Care Centre Hospice who cared for Harry during his last few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your charity of your choice, as Harry supported a variety of causes.
A Memorial Service will be held at South Calgary Funeral Centre, 12700 Macleod Trail South, (at Lake Fraser Gate) Calgary on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 11:45 a.m.
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