Obituary of Peter Joseph Benders

August 17, 1949 - Hout-Blerick, Netherlands

June 6, 2023 - Cochrane, Alberta

Peter Benders of Cochrane, AB passed away at his home on June 6, 2023 at the age of 73.

Peter was born on August 17, 1949 in Hout Blerick Netherlands, and was one of seven children born to Drees and Jet Benders. Peter spent his childhood always out in the bush, playing soccer with the neighborhood kids or building something new. At the age of 14, Peter found his love for motorcycles. After Peter finished technical school, Peter began working as an electrician.

Peter served in the Dutch army from December 1969 to May 1971 and was stationed in Germany. While on his last off shift, he met Nelly Van Enckevort in 1970 at a dance in Hout-Blerick. Peter and Nelly quickly became inseparable and started their love of travelling on motorcycles. They married on August 6, 1974 in Sevenum Netherlands, and immigrated to Canada in September 1974. Peter started working as an oil and gas electrician at the Nevis Gas Plant than later transferred to the Hanlin Robb Gas Plant and moved to Edson. Peter worked at the Hanlin Robb Gas Plant until 1998 and then worked for a few different companies; Syntec, Tarpon and Celtic before starting his own company in 2009.

Peter and Nelly welcomed their first son, Bart, in April 1976 and their second son, Dwayne, eighteen months later in September 1977. They bought their beautiful acreage in 1988 where Peter spent many hours out in the yard, building in the shop and hunting on their land until they eventually built their dream log home.

Peter was an avid hunter and enjoyed travelling to Northern Quebec and South Africa. Some of Peter’s best times were sheep hunting in the mountains. He just loved being on top of the mountain and looking out over the vast mountain ranges.

Peter retired in 2014 at the age of 65 and spent his first year of retirement working on the unfinished projects at home. In 2015, he started noticing twitching in his arms and some muscle weakening while building his new quonset. After several tests with the neurologist, he was diagnosed with ALS. In 2019, Peter and Nelly moved to Cochrane AB, to be closer to Dwayne and his family. Peter and his family would like to thank the ALS Society of Alberta for their support as well as all caregivers that supported him so he could remain at home and pass away peacefully in his sleep.

Peter is survived by his wife Nelly; sons Bart (Vanessa) of Mortsel Belgium, Dwayne (Kim) of Calgary; and his three grandchildren: Emily, Estee and Kaitlin. Peter is also survived by his siblings, Jac (Gerda) of Hout-Blerick Netherlands, Karin (Piet) of Kessel Netherlands, Marian (Ken) of Leduc AB, Andre of Kessel-Eik Netherlands, Gerda (Huub) of Roggel Netherlands, and Jacqueline (Gene) of Leduc AB, as well as his brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Drees and Jet.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB), on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Peter are gratefully accepted to Team Benders at the 2023 Betty’s Run taking place on Sunday June 11, 2023, in support of the ALS Society of Alberta at Team Benders ALS Betty's Run Donation Page.

In living memory of Peter Benders, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.

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