Eugene V. Heesaker

by **Stargunner** Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:50 am

Eugene V. Heesaker

Thursday, November 22nd, 1923 - Sunday, September 24th, 2023

Obituary
Eugene Victor Heesaker

It is with sincere sadness that we announce the passing of Eugene (Gene) Victor Heesaker. Gene passed away on September 24, 2023 at University Gates Nursing Home in Waterloo, Ontario. Gene was born to Jacob Norbert Heesaker and Mary Wilmet Heesaker on November 22nd, 1923 in Million, Manitoba at the Heesaker homestead.

Gene was a veteran of World War II and proudly served in the Fort Garry Horse Armoured Regiment where he taught tank gunnery at Camp Borden in Ontario and when he was sent overseas in the early spring of 1945 serving to liberate the Netherlands (ironically the home of his Heesaker ancestors.) He was employed by the City of Toronto in April of 1946 where he rose through the ranks and retired in 1986 as the Director of Streets Services and was in charge of all street cleaning and snow removal for the City of Toronto.

Gene is survived by his only child, Gene Peter Heesaker and his wife Cynthia Jones Heesaker, his two grandchildren, Sarah and Meg and his sister, Carrie Heesaker Creighton of Prince George, B.C. Gene was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Wood Heesaker, his parents and his siblings: Dorothy Heesaker Lucking, Albert Heesaker, Arthur Heesaker, and Edward Heesaker. He was a loving Uncle to: Beverly, Gordon, Kathy, Charlie, Ellen, Dorothy, and Shelley. Gene was also a “surrogate” father-figure to Rhiannon and a “surrogate” grandfather to Jessica, Rebecca, Erica, and Cian.

Gene and his wife Shirley were actively involved in serving Canadian Veterans their entire lives. Indeed, Gene was the National President of the Canadian Corps Association, working side by side with his wife, Shirley, for over 50 years to advocate for veterans and their families. Gene travelled extensively and numerous times to Vimy Ridge and to Juno Beach as an official representative of the Canadian Government to commemorate Canadian Veterans who had made the ultimate sacrifice. He was always proud to tell Gene Peter how many Governor Generals he had shared solemn ceremonies with. Gene embraced life and he was living on his own and driving Highway 401 weekly up until 2018! If you asked him how he was feeling, even just weeks before his death, his response was always, “I feel 110%”. He always told Gene Peter that his “best before date” was 2020. Well, he beat his prediction by three years! He won that lottery! During his lifetime, Gene coined many original sayings and phrases. Two of them were, “If you don’t, you won’t” A philosophy he had about life….. and the purchasing of lottery tickets. The other saying was "If I felt any better, I'd be twins." His sayings will last forever. He will be missed by all.

Eugene's family will receive relatives and friends from 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener 519-749-8467.

The Funeral Service will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home followed by a reception.
You are welcome to join the family via live-stream at https://www.henrywalser.com/live-streaming.

All are welcome to join the family at Prospect Cemetery, 1450 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto for the graveside service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023. We will meet at the cemetery office at 12:45 p.m. and proceed to the grave at 1 p.m. The grave is located in Section 40 - Prospect Cemetery.

Obituary - Eugene Victor Heesaker