Hans Helmut Haas

Hans Helmut Haas and Christa Eva Haas passed away together peacefully at their home in Sechelt on February 22nd, 2026, surrounded by the love of their family.

Both grew up during the war years, experiences that would shape their resilience and their lifelong appreciation for the peace, opportunity, and natural beauty they later found in Canada.

Helmut was born in Offenbach, Germany, on September 23rd, 1930. He immigrated to Canada in 1953 and built a career as a skilled cabinet maker. A talented gymnast and coach, he made many lifelong friends through the sport. A highlight was the 1962 World Championships in Prague, where he coached the Canadian men’s team.

Christa was born on March 14th, 1936, in Breslau, Germany. She trained as a bookkeeper after finishing school. An adventurous spirit with a love of travel, she spent her time off exploring Europe and beyond. In 1963, her travels took her to Canada to visit her brother, a good friend of Helmut’s. She fell in love with the country, and not long after, she fell in love with Helmut as well.

Helmut and Christa were married in September 1964 and began their life together on West 61st Street in Vancouver. A year later, they made what they often called the best decision of their lives: they purchased a property with a small, one-room shack on Sakinaw Lake, accessible only by ferry and dirt road. There, they built the cabin that would become the centrepiece of their family. Helmut and Christa often said the cabin kept the family close, as it hosted many birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and holidays. It remains their enduring legacy.

Hospitality, curiosity, and a shared sense of adventure defined their lives together, as did their openness and deep interest in the people around them. Time spent in their company meant lively conversations, warm welcomes, and never a dull moment.

They embraced the outdoors by camping, skiing, and hiking all over British Columbia. Road trips were the preferred method of travel, and they completed many journeys across Canada, Alaska, and the western United States.

After retiring, they moved to the Sunshine Coast and became members of the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre. Christa volunteered in many roles, most notably as bookkeeper, for over 20 years and was honoured to be nominated for a lifetime membership.

In those golden years, they continued to travel, taking 19 cruises, some with the whole family. The two spent most of their time at Sakinaw Lake, enjoying many sunny summer days with a constant rotation of visitors, friends, and family, including summer holiday babysitting stints with grandchildren. They never let a gathering pass without expressing how lucky they felt to have such wonderful family and friends.

They were devoted parents and grandparents who put family first and instilled strong core values through their daily example of love, kindness, and partnership. To those who knew them, they were role models for what a good life—and a good marriage—could look like.

Helmut and Christa are lovingly remembered by their daughters, Sonja Dickinson (John) and Petra Helfer (Adam), and by their grandchildren, Stefanie, Danica, Joshua, and Jakob, as well as many extended family and close friends. They touched many lives deeply.

The family would like to thank their doctors, nurses, home support and Rami of Sechelt Pharmacy for the excellent care they provided over the last 2 years. By request, no formal service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to a charity of your choice. A private Celebration of Life took place with immediate family one week before their passing, where fond memories were shared with much laughter.

Together in life for more than six decades, Helmut and Christa chose to leave this world as they lived in it: side by side.

“Heiterkeit und Frohsinn sind die Sonne unter der alles gedeiht.”

A cheerful heart and positive spirit are the sun that makes everything flourish.

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