Obituary of Aksel “Henry” HOFFMANN

October 31, 1932 - Vinding, Denmark
January 20, 2021 – Invermere, British Columbia

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Aksel “Henry” Hoffmann on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the age of 88 years.

Henry was born on a farm near Vinding, in Denmark to Vilhelmine and Henrik Hoffmann, the eighth of the sons. Growing up on a small farm, including the times German-occupied Denmark in WWII. Henry spent time as an adult in the Danish military where he became a mechanic. He left Denmark to join the Prince of Demark Logging Company to immigrate to Canada alongside a few of his brothers. Henry heard from a friend that there was a lot of work in Calgary and made the move. He met his future wife at the Crystal Palace skating rink. (Dorothy) Gail McGregor captured his heart. The figure skating world never looked back. Henry became involved with the Calalta Figure Skating Club, along with Gail. Soon Adult dance and creating the program tapes for skaters was the norm. Henry went on to play the music for figure skaters around the world including the ‘88 Olympics. With the move in retirement to Invermere, BC, he continued the passion of helping out, including accolades of Melvin Jones Fellowship with Lions Club International. He received the accolade of citizen of the year in the Columbia Valley. Henry, alongside his sweetheart, Gail, they made their mark as really good people.  Henry spent his last years tending to his sweetheart through dementia. At eighty-eight years old he had his last week of life visited by friends and family. He passed quietly and peacefully.

He is survived by his wife Gail and children, Eve MacMillan (Arthur), Brenda Stapleton (Greg), and Brian Hoffmann (Jody); grandchildren, Brittany (Graham), Joshua, Ken (Kim), Steen and Joel; and great-grandchildren, Aidan, and Oliver.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences, memories and photos can be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Henry Hoffmann, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.