Obituary for Werner Karl Heinrich Glaser
Werner (Jack) Glaser
July 24th, 1930 - Sunday, February 12th, 2023
Jack was the loving and devoted father of sons Mark, Rob, Ed and Carl. He is also lovingly remembered by many other close family members including 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by his sisters Mady, Lilo and Marianne, and by his 2 sons, Rob and Mark in a tragic ski accident.
Jack was born in Sumatra, Indonesia in 1930. His German parents emigrated to Sumatra to start a rubber plantation and hotel. His stories from that golden time were very interesting. Sadly, his mother passed away from her cancer treatment when Jack was 8 years old, followed shortly after by the death of his father. Jack and his three sisters (Mady, Lilo and Marianne) were then placed into an orphanage. At the onset of World War II Sumatra was occupied by the Japanese and the children were then moved into a concentration camp in the jungle. When Jack turned 13 he was moved alone into a men’s camp. There they stayed for four years until the war ended.
In 1946 Jack was repatriated to Holland and stayed in several foster homes, where he never really settled. He was drawn to Canada by its wide open spaces and freedom, and at age 24 he emigrated to Canada alone with only the shirt on his back. He met and married Elisabeth (Beppie) in 1955, and by 1960 … they were the proud parents of four boys.
Hindered by the war, Jack did not receive the formal education and work training. As a result, he had to work very hard and at many different occupations to provide for his family, often working small side jobs to earn extra money. He was incredibly resourceful and never once did his kids feel lacking. That resourcefulness and determination were some of the finest traits he instilled in his children.
Jack often told stories of his time in the concentration camp, when asked. Those years helped give Jack a certain toughness, fearlessness and zest for life that he carried with him for the rest of his life.
With wife Beppie they left Toronto and headed west to Kitimat. Since 1959 he has lived in Calgary. He had a great a love of the mountains, hiking and hunting primarily in the Kananaskis area. He also spent several months in the Yukon.
Jack was deeply devoted to helping underprivileged animals and spent many years volunteering his own time and resources feeding and rescuing dogs on the Tsuutʼina Reserve for around 30 years. He had dog companions with him wherever he went.
Badminton was a passion of Jack’s, and he earned several medals with the Alberta 55+ Games in different age categories over the years. For about 3 decades Jack played badminton several days a week with a local Calgary group and he found many dear friends in that group. At age 88 he was still playing 2-3 times a week.
Jack loved to sit and chat and was always a joy to be around. He always had the time to spend with his kids, grand kids or his many close friends. He will be deeply missed by all.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Werner please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
July 24th, 1930 - Sunday, February 12th, 2023
Jack was the loving and devoted father of sons Mark, Rob, Ed and Carl. He is also lovingly remembered by many other close family members including 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Jack was predeceased by his sisters Mady, Lilo and Marianne, and by his 2 sons, Rob and Mark in a tragic ski accident.
Jack was born in Sumatra, Indonesia in 1930. His German parents emigrated to Sumatra to start a rubber plantation and hotel. His stories from that golden time were very interesting. Sadly, his mother passed away from her cancer treatment when Jack was 8 years old, followed shortly after by the death of his father. Jack and his three sisters (Mady, Lilo and Marianne) were then placed into an orphanage. At the onset of World War II Sumatra was occupied by the Japanese and the children were then moved into a concentration camp in the jungle. When Jack turned 13 he was moved alone into a men’s camp. There they stayed for four years until the war ended.
In 1946 Jack was repatriated to Holland and stayed in several foster homes, where he never really settled. He was drawn to Canada by its wide open spaces and freedom, and at age 24 he emigrated to Canada alone with only the shirt on his back. He met and married Elisabeth (Beppie) in 1955, and by 1960 … they were the proud parents of four boys.
Hindered by the war, Jack did not receive the formal education and work training. As a result, he had to work very hard and at many different occupations to provide for his family, often working small side jobs to earn extra money. He was incredibly resourceful and never once did his kids feel lacking. That resourcefulness and determination were some of the finest traits he instilled in his children.
Jack often told stories of his time in the concentration camp, when asked. Those years helped give Jack a certain toughness, fearlessness and zest for life that he carried with him for the rest of his life.
With wife Beppie they left Toronto and headed west to Kitimat. Since 1959 he has lived in Calgary. He had a great a love of the mountains, hiking and hunting primarily in the Kananaskis area. He also spent several months in the Yukon.
Jack was deeply devoted to helping underprivileged animals and spent many years volunteering his own time and resources feeding and rescuing dogs on the Tsuutʼina Reserve for around 30 years. He had dog companions with him wherever he went.
Badminton was a passion of Jack’s, and he earned several medals with the Alberta 55+ Games in different age categories over the years. For about 3 decades Jack played badminton several days a week with a local Calgary group and he found many dear friends in that group. At age 88 he was still playing 2-3 times a week.
Jack loved to sit and chat and was always a joy to be around. He always had the time to spend with his kids, grand kids or his many close friends. He will be deeply missed by all.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Werner please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.