Paul Klassen
March 8, 1937 – November 19, 2024
Bertram ‘Paul’ Klassen left us to be with his Lord and join his beloved wife Margaret Klassen (Rankin) who forged ahead of him in 2017. Marg was the love of his life and he has missed her greatly since her passing.
Loving father to Joel (Karen), Heather Clarke (John), and Susan Klassen. Treasured Grandpa to Justin Clarke (Dominique), Jenna Ellis (Devon); Lacey & Mackenzie Reid; Naomi, Lilah & Myles Klassen, and Great Grandpa to Natalie, Harper and Jack Ellis. Paul will be dearly missed by his younger brother and best friend Harry Klassen and Harry’s wife Annemarie and by sisters-in-law Corinne Peterson, Joyce Klassen, Roberta Hardy (Brian), Joni Price, and son-in-law Gary Reid. Paul will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews as well as many cousins and special friends too numerous to mention. Paul is predeceased by his older brother Randy Klassen (Joyce), parents Jacob and Ellie (Peters) Klassen and stepmother Susie Klassen (Dyck).
Paul grew up in Winnipeg in a house that backed on to the Red River. He came to Ontario in 1960 to be part of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship where he worked to support university students to strengthen their faith. It was while creating similar groups in the secondary school system that he was introduced to the town of Hanover. Paul moved his young family from Hamilton to Hanover in 1970 to teach German and Mathematics at John Diefenbaker Secondary School. His claim to fame was his loud, booming, teaching voice. When Paul began teaching a class, you could hear a succession of doors down his hallway slamming one after the other…to drown out the sound. When Paul wasn’t in the classroom, he could be found sharing his love of sports with students through coaching many football, curling, and volleyball teams.
Paul was very active in his church communities, initially at the Hanover Baptist Church and most recently as a member of the Hanover Mennonite Church. Paul spent countless hours teaching bible study classes, adult Sunday School, as a member of the board of directors, and could also be found behind the pulpit as a lay minister in many local churches.
Paul’s generous spirit was shown through his financial support of numerous charities as well has his volunteer time as a driver for the Canadian Cancer Society, a role he did until he was 80 years old. He was one of the few drivers from this area who would drive people into downtown Toronto for their cancer treatments. He also regularly drove people to London, Kitchener, and Owen Sound.
A great big thank you to all the nurses, physio, support staff, and doctors at the Hanover Hospital. Your kindness, attention, and patience were greatly appreciated as you took such great care of dad, and us, through his final six weeks of life.
A celebration of Paul’s life will be held at the Hanover Mennonite Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
In true Paul form, he implores “no flowers”! Instead, he would greatly appreciate donations be made to your favourite charity, the Mennonite Central Committee (https://donate.mcccanada.ca), or the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship (Donate | Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada (ivcf.ca).
Online condolences may be made at Paul Klassen – Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services