SYBERDEN, Hendrik “Hank”

March 11, 1947 – March 17, 2017

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Hank at age 70 following several months of struggle with an aggressive cancer.

Hank was born in Amsterdam Netherlands and moved to Canada with his family at age 5.  He is sorrowfully missed by his loving wife Eva (nee LeFrancois).  He is predeceased by his mother Hennie (nee Veth) and his father John Syberden and brothers-in-law Denis LeFrancois and Leo King. He is survived by his brother John Syberden (Cheryl)  and extended family in the Netherlands. Special mention to Henk Veth (Iris) a close and special cousin in Ter Apple Netherlands. He will be greatly missed by his sisters-in-law, Melva King, Rita Stokalko (Bob), brother-in-law Ron LeFrancois (Terry).  Hank will also be missed by his nieces and nephews: Neil, Barry, Sheri, Holly, Collette, Cristin; Lindsay and Christopher.

Hank had a long and successful career in television broadcasting. He worked at CFCN CTV from 1969-1985. He then went freelancing as a Broadcast Engineer, Video Technician and Technical Producer covering sporting events including CFL Footfall, World Junior Hockey, TSN Curling, CPGA Golf, Spruce Meadows Equestrian and many others. The highlights of his career included working  twelve Olympic Winter and Summer Games,  Commonwealth Games, Alberta Summer Games, Pan Am Games, Goodwill Games and the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu. Other events worked included the Banff Film Festivals and the G8 Summit in Kananaskis and Muskoka.

Hank was a caring person and always ready to give a helping hand to friends and neighbors to solve vehicle and household problems. He was a ‘car guy’ and after retirement he enjoyed working in his garage keeping his vehicles fine-tuned and polished. He enjoyed walking the many trails around Cochrane with his good friend and neighbor Robert and last but not least his weekly brunch with his long time buddies in Calgary who have been such great support to him through his illness. Hank will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His passing has left a big hole in our hearts.

A Celebration of Hank’s Life and Prayer Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (10 River Heights Drive, Cochrane, AB) on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society Alberta/NWT (325 Manning Road NE, Suite 200, Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 or call 403-205-3966)

 

 

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  1. On 20/03/2017 at 2:57 pm Louis & Joanne Maisonneuve Said:

    Hello Eva. Joanne and I are heart-broken about the passing of Hank. Please accept our condolences. He was truly one of the good guys and in so many ways. He will be missed indeed.

  2. On 20/03/2017 at 5:36 pm mark furlotte Said:

    Hey Eva, Kim, Kelly, Brett and myself just wanted to let you know how saddened we were to hear of Hank passing. I know words are kind of lost at a time like this but if I may just say that I will truly miss talking over the fence and trading barbs with him or just talking about stuff. also that great wave he always gave when we would come around the corner. we called Brett and had supper with Kelly and both kids were down right saddened. I will remember the day he told me we had good kids. well I scratched my head at that one but that was one of the nicest things someone could of said and I never forgot that. knowing Hank if he said that he was downright honest. please if you need some help with anything we are around. love Mark, Kim, Kelly and Brett

  3. On 20/03/2017 at 8:30 pm Lawrence&Heather Said:

    Hello Eva
    It was a shock to find out about Hank. Had I known, I too would have come to spend time with him. I can understand the difficult time you must have had these last weeks as we too lost a family member with the same condition. I worked with Hank from 72 until he left CFCN and he always had a laugh and a joke. He was a true Professional and always gave 110%.
    He will be truly missed.

    Peace
    Lawrence & Heather

  4. On 21/03/2017 at 7:44 am Bruce & Loy Becker Said:

    We worked with Hank many years ago at CFCN. He really was a great guy. Please accept our condolences.

  5. On 21/03/2017 at 11:43 am Brian Vos Said:

    Hank was my first supervisor at CFCN television when I arrived in Calgary in June of 1973. Hired by Ken Degerness I was assigned to videotape and early morning weekend master control. Hank taught me many things along the way but the most inportant was being on time – never ever missing a weekend sign-on of the station. If one tinghas stuck with me it was being prompt. Hank was a kind sole and always ready to listen, lend a hand or tell youo a bteer way to do things. Like many that worked under him, I appreciated him for his honesty and forthrightness. Rest in peace Hendrik – tot de volgende keer…. Brian Vos

  6. On 21/03/2017 at 2:07 pm Elaine and Doug Rutten Said:

    Dear Eva,
    We were very sad to hear of your loss. The past months were undoubtedly very difficult. We hope you find support with loved ones around you and the comfort of many treasured memories. God bless you as you go forward.

    Elaine and Doug

  7. On 21/03/2017 at 2:07 pm Elaine and Doug Rutten Said:

    Dear Eva,
    We were very sad to hear of your loss. The past months were undoubtedly very difficult. We hope you find support with loved ones around you and the comfort of many treasured memories. God bless you as you go forward.

    Elaine and Doug’

  8. On 21/03/2017 at 3:55 pm Cristin (LeFrancois) Sawchuk Said:

    I am so sorry for your loss Aunty. I will always remember Uncle Hank patiently allowing me to comb his moustache when we came to visit you during the Olympics in 1988! I also enjoyed our visit a few years back in Saskatoon and was so glad that he had a chance to meet my kids. I will never forget him. All of our love, Cristin, Derek, Ella, William and Evie.

  9. On 22/03/2017 at 3:20 am Collette LeFrancois Said:

    Dear Aunty,

    I was so sorry to hear of Uncle’s passing. He was always always such a fun Uncle and I know he used to make my Dad laugh a lot. I used to love when we’d come stay with you both in Calgary and remember his Packard he was working on and going to visit Mr. & Mrs. Syberden. I think I really got to know him best when he came to help my parents at harvest time in ’86. Maggie, Sasha and I lit a candle for him at church this past Sunday. They we very interested in the fact that they also had a Dutch Uncle on the LeFrançois side of their family.

    All our love, thoughts and prayers,
    Collette, Jeremy, Maggie & Sasha

  10. On 22/03/2017 at 4:34 am Kim Edmonds Said:

    I worked with Hank at CFCN from 1971 – 1976. We also met up all over the world at different events.
    I would be walking along a street in some place and hear ‘Kim’ look over and there would be Hank sitting in the sun usually with others around him but always room for one more and the stories were flying. I have missed that these last few years of retirement. Rest in peace my friend and to you, EVA, you have my deepest sympathy.

    Kim

  11. On 22/03/2017 at 5:24 pm Deb Booth Said:

    Dear Eva,
    My most sincere condolences in the loss of your Hank. I wish you strength and peace in the days and weeks ahead. My thoughts are with you all.

    Debbie

  12. On 22/03/2017 at 6:42 pm Dwight Wilson and Cindy Moore Said:

    We are so sorry to hear of Hank’s passing EVA. He was always the guy who was first to offer a helping hand, and that booming voice, boyish enthusiasm, and bright smile will be missed around the campfires.
    Happy trails Hank,
    Dwight and Cindy

  13. On 22/03/2017 at 8:31 pm Pat Fogg Said:

    Eva, hinking of you in your time of sadness, hoping great memories of a truly nice man will be a true consolation.

  14. On 23/03/2017 at 9:04 am Doug Mott Said:

    Eva, thank you so much for the phone call. I am so glad that Sandi and I stopped in a couple of weeks ago to say hi to you both. We left your place saddened with the news, but also now very happy we did not wait a couple more weeks. Hank is to this day the best neighbour I have ever had. Hank was always there for me when it came to anything, especially anything mechanical.
    Hank was a good friend, he will be missed!!

    Doug & Sandi, Spencer and Shane

  15. On 23/03/2017 at 12:48 pm Stuart Serediuk Said:

    I am so sorry to hear of Hank’s passing. He hired me for my first ever job in TV Production at CFCN. I will never forget the job interview I had with him. He saw on my resume that I restored cars for a hobby. We talked about cars for a 1/2 hour and then he said I could start working there the next week.
    He was a great guy.

  16. On 23/03/2017 at 4:46 pm Margot Graham Said:

    I first met Hank at Access Network when Eva was my manager. Eva had forgotten her lunch at home, so Hank drove it out to her. A considerate man. I didn’t have a sensor light over my garage and I worked evenings. Hank came over and gave me one and installed it. A helpful and handy man. I was visiting Hank and Eva in Cochrane and my vehicle was dirty. Hank offered to take me and show me where the car wash is in Cochrane. A practical man, subtle and car respectful. Hank gave me his Olympic clothes from many Olympics as they were too large for Eva and too colorful for him. A generous and not a wasteful man.I still wear all the clothing to this day.Again, on one of our visits, I had Quinn, my Schnauzer with me. He went right to Hank in the backyard and extorted what seemed like a few hours of petting from Hank and Hank complied. A soft as blob man! Hank and Eva’s marriage was enviable. Hank was and is a treasure.

  17. On 23/03/2017 at 5:37 pm Flo Said:

    Eva so sorry to hear of Hank’s passing The Ellis family was lucky enough to have the privilege of calling you and Hank our friends. He had a great life so many adventures a loving wife and family great close friends ( my brother Jim one of them) he will be sadly missed. Eva know that you are in our thoughts,our most sincere sympathies. Sheila EllisCrain Todd Crain and Rick Ellis

  18. On 24/03/2017 at 12:50 am Rick and Marg Friesen Said:

    We are so saddened to hear of Hank’s untimely passing. We will always remember him as level headed, rough around the edges, and with a heart of gold that he hated anyone to see. Hank was a mentor and a friend, and although we were not in touch regularly in recent years, he was often in our thoughts. He will be missed by so many who knew him. Eva, we are thinking of you in this difficult time, and we are so sorry for your loss.

  19. On 24/03/2017 at 3:52 pm Linda &Uwe Foerster Said:

    Eva, our hearts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Hank was truly a good guy. I remember Hank when you first started dating him when you lived with us in Bowness. He was the strong silent type but I just knew he was a great guy.
    There was no doubt how much he loved you right from the beginning. Our visits were not often but whenever we got together we always loved visiting with you both. The kids remember the Harley rides. We will miss Hank tremendously. Keep strong Eva. Anything we can help with you just let us know. Appreciate the visit with you and Melva today.
    Love you cuz

    Linda and Uwe

  20. On 25/03/2017 at 9:09 am BOB & DONNA AMMA Said:

    Dear Eva, so sorry to hear of Hank’s passing. We enjoyed knowing Hank and you at Desert Gardens. We have missed your being here and thankful we got to know you both.

  21. On 25/03/2017 at 10:50 am Bob and Laura Larson Said:

    Dear Eva,
    Our lives were so blessed a few years ago when we met you, Hank and Morris at Desert Gardens RV Park in Arizona. We could definitely repeat all the wonderful things family and friends have written here about Hank. He was a gem and we will miss him. Bob has done a great job keeping up the email communications with our wonderful Canadian friends and we hope that it will continue Eva. A big hug to you and Morris (our favorite kitty).
    With love and our deepest sympathy.
    Bob, Laura and Tippy (Morris’ friend)

  22. On 26/03/2017 at 10:23 am Paul & Marie Said:

    Eva, So sorry to hear of Hank’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Paul and Marie

  23. On 26/03/2017 at 4:08 pm George and Erika Said:

    Dear Eva,
    I thought you had moved down east somewhere, after Hennie had died.
    So sorry to hear you lost Hank, our deepest condolences; praying the God will comfort you at this sad time. George and Erika, Marie, Annette, Michelle and their families.

  24. On 27/03/2017 at 11:46 am Elaine & Barry Said:

    Eva, we were so shocked to hear of Hank’s passing. He was such a friendly guy. We really enjoyed the weekend you stayed at Rio Bend. Hank was so talkative and we really enjoyed getting to know him better. I can imagine this is a very difficult time for you but I hope it helps for you to know that we are thinking of you and hope the many memories of Hank will help comfort you.
    Barry and Elaine

  25. On 27/03/2017 at 8:33 pm Alf Carboni Said:

    Eva, I was so shocked when I heard the very sad news of Hank’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and my deepest condolences to you and both your families. I loved working with Hank very much, and after getting to know him over the years, enjoyed his honesty, friendship and his charming personality and wit. We would joke around and I loved his laugh and sense of humor. I mentioned to Hank that I was coming to Cochrane to pick up a lease take-over of a vehicle I had made. I said to Hank that I would drop in and say Hello. Hank made me cancel my hotel room I had booked in Calgary, and insisted that he pick me up at the Calgary airport and to stay with you both at your home. That was such a wonderful time to meet you and your warm kindness and hospitality, I will cherish forever. When we were having dinner at your place, I recall such a nice Dutch saying or prayer Hank had recited during that time. Alf Carboni

  26. On 28/06/2017 at 6:43 am Irma owen Said:

    I’m so sorry Eva please accept our condolences. Just found out randomly on Facebook and am so sad for you. Henk was so kind to my Mom and made a special effort to see her, she never forgot that. I hope this message finds you, and again much love and strength for you❤️❤️❤️