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HENRICUS (HANK) CORNELIS MESMAN
Date of Passing: Mar 11, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
HENRICUS (HANK) CORNELIS
MESMAN
1934 - 2021
Hank will be mourned and deeply missed by his children - Lisa, Monique and David, their partners and his grandchildren, as well as his stepson Christopher, the son of his life partner, Linda Dunwoody who predeceased him in February, 2020. Hank is survived and remembered by his first wife Leslie, his niece Betty, as well as his sisters and their families in the Netherland - and especially his niece Manon.
In the mid-1950s, Hank joined a wave of immigrants from Holland in search of a better life - and he truly found one in Winnipeg. In his early 20s, he attended night school to improve his English and later won a track and field scholarship to North Dakota State University. Hank completed a Bachelors in Physical Education, then later a teaching degree and his CPA, but he spent most of his working life as a teacher in Morden, Manitoba.
'Hennie' had three great passions in life - his family, bridge and travelling. The order of those is a matter of some (joking) debate in the family. Hank spent countless hours at Winnipeg's bridge clubs and online - and was a competitive force in the game.
Before requiring dialysis, Hank made regular trips to Australia, Canada and the U.S. to visit family and friends. The running joke was that Hennie knew his holiday spots better than the locals because he had scouted out all the bridge clubs before making any bookings.
His family would like to express their deepest thanks for the care, love and support shown by the medical staff at St. Boniface Hospital during Hank's last days - and particularly for the commitment and care shown by the Hemodialysis Team.
In memory or tributes may be made to the Kidney Foundation Canada - kidney.ca.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 20, 2021
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Condolences to the family with the loss of your father. God bless you all. - Posted by: Van Schie family (Friends of the family) on: Sep 29, 2021
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Mr. Mesman taught me grade 4 science and was in his home room for grade five. My favourite memories were of Mesman dollars, his stern but kind way that he taught. I remember our field trip to Winnipeg that year. We went to the museum planetarium, then to McDonald’s, and Academy bowling alley. These are just some wonderful memories that I have. And I’m just 49. Sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Cory Walske (Student) on: Jul 08, 2021
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Mesman family: Even though I did not know Hank well, I knew him for his perseverance in life. He was very independent and often refused help in walking when he was asked if he needed assistance. We will miss him in the dialysis unit. - Posted by: Judy wach (From dialysis unit ) on: Mar 25, 2021
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Lisa, So sorry to learn of your father's passing; he sounds like he was quite the character! Thinking of you during this difficult time. Take care - Posted by: Madeleine Frost (Former Classmate) on: Mar 24, 2021
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Mr. Mesman was my favourite teacher of all during my school days. I have such fond memories of the fun stuff that he would encourage us to participate in. - Posted by: Florence Foster (Beer) (former student) on: Mar 24, 2021
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My condolences to the Mesman family. It was always an adventure to sit down at the bridge table with Hank, whether as an opponent or partner and play bridge. He was always a friendly but fierce competitor and loved the game of bridge. Glen Fidler - Posted by: Glen Fidler (Friend) on: Mar 23, 2021
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My sincere condolences. He has been a good friend for a long time and will be missed. - Posted by: Deloris Ankrom (Friend) on: Mar 21, 2021