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February 7, 1930 - January 30, 2020
Helmut Rudolf Bruno Hartig: February 7th, 1930 - January 30th, 2020. Predeceased by wife Gwen Lee, nee Hartig, nee Corneliussen (2009); sister Gudrun Huden, nee Hartig (2014); father Paul Hartig (1997); mother Elizabeth Hartig, nee Noebel (1987); and sister Irmgard Hartig (1999). Survived by girlfriend Marge Hammond; children Grace Hartig and Dianna (Dee) Hartig; grandchildren Gregory Elliott and Raine McCue; brother Albrecht Hartig and sister-in-law Ornella Hartig; niece Johanna Huden Cunningham, grand-niece Jane Cunningham, and grand-nephew Calvin Cunningham; and finally, special family members Sean McCue (and family) and Ritchie Neilsen (and family).
Helmut lived an extraordinary life all over our beautiful Earth as we know he will in Heaven too. He was born in Berlin, Germany, and he travelled/worked extensively on six continents (Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia). Helmut and Gwen met in Africa where they lived for several years before moving back to Berlin, and finally they moved to Canada to begin a family in the mid-1960's. Helmut worked as bricklayer tradesman in his early years and in Canada he was a geophysicist in the Northern provinces and territories. There wasn't a thing that Helmut couldn't do. While he worked in the seismic industry he explored opportunities in real-estate and was an entrepreneur in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Once he retired from surveying he continued to work hard and eventually took care of our mother for many years while she required care into the end of her life. He was such a selfless caregiver. After our mother passed away, he cared for a girlfriend who died only a year after they met, and then he took care of his sister for several years before her passing. Eventually, but not for long enough, dad was cared for by his devoted daughters. Helmut met Marge a few years ago and she convinced him to travel again and enjoy his retirement. They were amazing travel companions and they explored places that most people only dream of travelling to!
Helmut was loved by everyone whoever met him. He is sadly missed and his memory will be in our hearts forever. But, we'll be okay. His final resting place will be with Gwen and a family gathering will celebrate his life in the summer. Grace and Dianna would like to thank the Nanaimo Palliative Care Unit, his new Dr.'s, and Nanaimo Hospice Volunteers for a respectful and peaceful passing.


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