Obituary of Hans MACIEJ

When Hans Maciej was initially diagnosed as terminal, he took it into his own hands to draft his obituary. He didn’t want a rambling four-paragraph list of his many accomplishments. His humble nature dictated a two-sentence summary stating only that he made a difference in this world. And what a difference he made. In the lives of each individual he touched. This influence ranged from a child first learning to hit a tennis ball, to the media being educated by Hans on the realities of the oil and gas industry in Alberta. Hans was an advocate for sports and for the province of Alberta. As his extended family we debated how to handle his final statement to the world. Do we follow his wishes and provide no detail, or do we share a bit more? After much thought, we took his initial two sentences and expanded them to give the reader a sense of this great man. This is what we came up with. Only four months after losing his lifelong soul mate, Hans Maciej passed away peacefully on February 21, 2017. He leaves a lengthy list of accomplishments as an athlete, as a well-respected oil executive and as a champion for sports. As an athlete, Hans’ tenacious drive had him playing competitive tennis at a national and international level past the age of 75. He was a founding member of the Calgary Olympic Development Association which ultimately helped Calgary secure the 1988 Winter Olympics. Hans’ promotion of tennis was a passion demonstrated by his dedication to the Mount Pleasant Tennis Club, to the Glencoe Club, to the Alberta Tennis Association and to Tennis Canada, recently culminating in his 20-year goal of building an Alberta tennis center here in Calgary. Hans was very generous with his time and coached countless students of tennis, young and old, during his more than 50 years in the sport. Whatever the objective, Hans always maintained his unwavering principles and ethics. Hans has now re-joined Ingeborg, the love of his life. May they rest in peace together. We will respect Hans’ wish not to host a funeral or wake. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers please consider ways in which you can support the love of tennis in Alberta. In living memory of Hans Maciej, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.