Obituary of Emiel Hermen den Hartog
Emiel Hermen den Hartog
(June 13, 1931 - February 20, 2023)
Emiel den Hartog of Sherwood Park, Alberta, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023 at the age of 91 years.
He was born to parents Antonia and Peter in Schoonhoven, Netherlands where he was raised with his 3 brothers and 5 sisters. There were always chores to do, however, after school he would often sneak in a game of soccer which was played on the gravel wearing wooden shoes!
At 19, he entered in the military where he formed many friendships while enjoying escapades only he and his fellow soldiers could concoct.
Following his military service, he gained a welding certificate and in 1956 he boarded a ship bound for Canada, landing at Pier 21 Halifax. This was the middle of winter and all he brought for warm clothing was a thin scarf. Emiel was fortunate enough that a Dutch family from Hamilton, Ontario was picking someone else up at the pier and offered to take him in until he was settled.
From there, he welded pretty much every pipeline there was across Canada including work at the North Rankin Nickle Mine in the NWT. Eventually he would end up in Edmonton and started his first business Hartog Welding which grew into Hartog Steel then later he downsized to Harco Mft where he retired at the young age of 82.
He was blessed with 3 children; oldest daughter Mary, son Eimert who passed in 2013, and youngest daughter Felicia. Later came 8 grandsons and 3 great-granddaughters.
Emiel was very passionate about his businesses as he would say work was his hobby. If he wasn’t at the office (or at a local pub watching sports) you would find him reading or sitting outside watching nature; a good thunderstorm or bird watching were his favorites. Emiel also had a love of good food. He traveled a great deal and truly lived life to the fullest.
Left to cherish his memory are his children Felicia (Roger) Young of Camrose, and Mary Kappetijn of the Netherlands; daughter-in-law Leanne Den Hartog of Sherwood Park; first wife and friend Phyllis McCrea of Camrose; six grandsons; three great-granddaughters; and siblings Joke Markhorst of the Netherlands, Rite Koning of the Netherlands, and Peter (Leny) den Hartog of Belgium.
Emiel was predeceased by his son Eimert DenHartog and 5 siblings.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Rosehaven for such wonderful care, compassion & friendship they demonstrated to Emiel and his daughter Felicia while he lived at West Court Lane.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Emiel's memory may be made to your local library.
