Obituary of George Peter Wensveen

November 13, 1938 – Wassenaar, Holland

June 19, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

George Peter Wensveen, cherished and beloved husband of 60 years to Denise Wensveen, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the age of 85 years.

George was born on November 13, 1938, into the family of Jacobas and Quirina Wensveen, in Wassenaar, Netherlands, in a small farmhouse on the outskirts of town. He was the youngest of five children, one elder sister Rita and three elder brothers, Gay, John, and Quirinus. Less than one year after his birth, the Second World War began with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

The Wensveen family experienced much hardship during the war but managed to stay safe until the war’s end on September 2, 1945. George’s parents, Jacobas and Quirina, made a courageous decision to immigrate to Canada in 1948, leaving behind their families, possessions, and livelihood in the Netherlands. They landed in Canada in Quebec and transitioned to the Lethbridge, AB area to work on a farm. George was only ten years old when the family immigrated. Times were hard in those early years in Canada while they rebuilt their lives. Eventually, the family found their footing and they moved to Lethbridge.

George was a good student, became fluent in English, and adapted well to his life in Canada. In his teens, he took on a variety of endeavours including yard maintenance, hotel switchboard operations, baking bread at a local bakery, long-distance newspaper delivery, and he was also a janitor at the local Red Cross. He enjoyed serving as a volunteer cadet and playing with the high school basketball team. He finished high school in 1956 in Lethbridge and began training as a bank teller at BNS Bank.

A colleague from the bank, Delia Jackins, introduced him to his future wife, Denise Belanger. They courted for one year and were married in a Catholic ceremony on August 8, 1964, in Calgary, AB. George began to rise in his banking career and the newlywed couple moved to Edmonton, AB.

George and Denise were young adults when their children were born in Edmonton; Audrey Marie in 1965 and Cheryl Ann in 1966. George was a loving father and role model for his children for his work ethic, trusting nature, patience, gentleness, and kindness.

Although he had a young family and a full-time job with the bank, George advanced his education during nights and weekends at the University of Alberta, completing a robust four-year diploma to become a Fellow, Institute of Canadian Banking; 1 of only 10,000 diplomas granted in Canada.

George worked in banking for 50 years, moving the family from Edmonton to Hamilton, and then back to Calgary. He “retired” from banking as the Assistant Vice President of Real Estate with Canadian Western Bank at the age of 67. He continued to use his skills part-time with Emcor Development Corporation until his 81st year. George found his career to be satisfying and rewarding. In his free time, he was a devout Catholic, an avid reader, a hockey fan, a music lover, and a weekend cook.

George is survived by his wife Denise, and daughters, Audrey Wensveen of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and her husband Cliff Vornbrock; Cheryl Brown of Penticton, BC, and her husband Craig Brown; and his grandson Tyler Brown. He is also survived by his brothers, Gay Westwood (Terry Westwood), John Wensveen, and Quirinus Wensveen; as well as three sisters-in-law, Lee Reichert, Simone Gore, and Laurie Belanger; and many nieces and nephews in Canada.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jacobas and Quirina Wensveen; his wife’s parents, Helen and Charlie Belanger; his sister Rita Gukert of Medicine Hat, AB, his two sisters-in-law, Margaret Wensveen (John) and Diane Wensveen (Quirinus); and two brothers-in-law, Adam Reichert (Lee), and Andy Gore (Simone); and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alphonse and Maureen Belanger. Sadly, he was also predeceased by three nephews, Ian Wensveen, Craig Brabant, and Alan Brabant.

His message to us: “Life is meant to be lived with joy and love. Do not grieve for me too long.”

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church (10 Prestwick Drive SE, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, https://cancer.ca/en/.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with George’s family here.

In living memory of George Wensveen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.