PICTOU – On March 17, 2010, after a brief illness, Hank Dunnewold, 61, with his wit and humour ever-present, courageously and peacefully left this world.
Born in Winterswijk, the Netherlands, on September 3, 1948, he was the son of Englebertus “Bert” and the late Janna (Hillen) Dunnewold.
He immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1953. Hank had worn many hats throughout his life. He operated a dairy farm for 14 years, during which he served as President of the Pictou County Federation of Agriculture. He was first elected to Pictou County Municipal Government in 1982 as Councillor of District 6 and later became Warden in 1986, a position he held for 14 years. Hank’s inherent and effortless goodness was far-flung and felt: while he served in municipal government, he was a member of numerous boards and committees including The Children’s Aid Society, Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Board, and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, to name but a few. He also served as Chair of the Pictou Regional Economic Development Commission, the Regional Waste Management Board, and the Pictou County Joint Expenditure Board. He generously dedicated his time as a volunteer firefighter with the Scotsburn Fire Department, and was passionate in his role as an RCMP Auxiliary Constable. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Pictou and was proud to have served a term as President. Following his retirement from the Department of Justice as a Deputy Sheriff he continued working as an Industrial Security Officer stationed at Trenton Works. Gregarious, fun loving and always eager to illicit a laugh, Hank had a passion for the open road… from road trips with his young family to, in more recent years, cruising thousands of kilometers on his beloved motorcycle. He so enjoyed his excursions with Ruth on board and his annual bike trips with the guys. As well his love of rubber on road, he also thrived on plying the waters of Pictou in his boats, the Hanky Panky. He loved political debate, telling jokes, singing Karaoke, and “playing his comb”. He enjoyed travel, and happily was able to visit South America just this November past. He made friends wherever he went.
He is survived by his loving partner, Ruth Wortman; his father, Bert Dunnewold, Hardwood Hill; daughters: Hilda, Antigonish; Sarah LeFurgey (Luciano Onichino), Amherst; and Jacqui Miller (John), Truro; son, Albert, Pictou; and their mother, Herma Binnema, Tatamagouche; sister, Rika Cheverie (Martin), East Point, PEI; Ruth’s sons, Sean (Barbie) Hoskins, Halifax and Aaron (Alicia) Hoskins, Ottawa; grandchildren: Rebecca and Marissa LeFurgey, Jake Dunnewold, Anneka and Melody Miller, Elizabeth Hoskins, and Mahalia, Noah and Marco Onichino; nieces, Kristin and Kelsey Cheverie; cousins, Tony Prinsen (Anja, Gerard, Kathleen), Truro; and, extended family in Alberta, Ontario, and the Netherlands.
He was predeceased by his mother, Janna (Hillen) Dunnewold; step-mother, Annie Dunnewold; step-sister, Jane KleinGeltink; and son-in-law, Tim LeFurgey.
Visitation will be held at McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou, Friday March 19, 2010 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Pictou, with Rev. Steve Webb officiating. Private burial will be in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens.
Family flowers only please. Donations in his memory can be made to the Tim Horton’s Children’s Camp Foundation.
The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the Palliative Care Unit at the Aberdeen Hospital for their kindness and dignified care.