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Klaus Beese

August 3rd, 1930 - February 1st, 2023
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Klaus passed away peacefully at Inglewood Care Centre on February 1, 2023, at the age of 92.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Regina (Ina), his daughters, Barb (Tom) and Lorraine (Nick), his grandchildren, Donald (Nikita), Anthony, Michael and Peter, and great-grandchildren Charles and Adrien.

Klaus was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany and unfortunately, spent his early teenage years surviving WWII with his parents.   After the war ended, he worked for the Canadian army in Wilhelmshaven as a translator. He enjoyed helping the young men out with the German they needed to socialize with the young ladies in town. He got his first taste in the business world working in the black-market trading for food to support his family.

He met Ina while he was finishing his high school studies, when she loaned him a spoon so that he could have the rationed lunch that was provided by the Canadian army.  The rest is history – they dated and then married in 1954 and immigrated to Canada in 1955, settling first in Hamilton and then in Oakville, Ontario.  Klaus continued to work for the company that he apprenticed with, Kuhlmann GmbH, in Canada and eventually moved into sales.  This led to a move for the family to Princeton, New Jersey and Hagerstown, Maryland.  

In 1967, the family moved back to Canada and settled at Greencroft, a lovely property north of Toronto.  Klaus was the owner of Ideal Glass & Mirror for many years, until he sold the business and began a few decades of travel with Ina.   In 1995 they built an addition on Barb’s house and spent the next 20 years travelling and enjoying their cottage on the Trent River. They visited South America, Australia and Africa, as well as returning to Europe regularly, and spent their winter months in Barbados.  

In 2016, he suffered the first of a series of strokes that would eventually take away most of his vision, orientation and ability to communicate.   Klaus and Ina moved from Roberta Place retirement home to stay with Lorraine in Vancouver in March 2021.  

He will be remembered for his war-time stories, the perseverance and optimism that made his company successful and the love he had for his family. 

The family would like to thank Inglewood Care Centre for their loving attention over the last months of his life.


Tributes

Lyle
April 29th, 2023

So sorry Lorraine and Barb. Had much respect for your dad. I remember his 50th at the cottage.
All the best
Lyle

Dominique and Christian
March 22nd, 2023

Liebe Barb und Lorraine
Wir sind sehr traurig darüber, dass Klaus gestorben ist. Wir haben viele schöne Erinnerungen an ihn und sind sehr froh, dass wir ihn kennenlernen durften. Er war ein Original und seine spannenden Geschichten über das Leben und seine und Inas Erlebnisse haben uns viel Freude bereitet. Wir werden nie vergessen, wie er uns in Barbados mit seinem alten, speziellen offenen Mietwagen (die Marke habe ich leider vergessen) über die ganze Insel chauffiert und uns so viele schöne Plätze gezeigt hat. Unvergesslich ist auch unser Ausflug mit den beiden zu den Niagarafällen und zum Cottage an den See (in welchem Ina noch baden ging, als sie vom Boot fiel)! Wir werden Klaus nie vergessen. Unser herzliches Beileid.

Gerd & Liz Hermanns
February 10th, 2023

Our deepest sympathy and condolences to all the family, may he rest in peace.

Megan & Ryan O'Kelly
February 9th, 2023

Thinking of you & the family, Barb. We enjoyed hearing stories about your Dad at the office. This is a wonderful tribute to his life.

Annemarie, and Ed Gerriet
February 9th, 2023

He did have a remarkable Life, we cherished many happy Days together,
We will miss him, a lot !

Gord Kerr
February 9th, 2023

Sorry to hear Barb, we had many a good chats about your Dad at the office. Hope Ida is coping ok.
Things g about you and best regards to the family.

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