Claude Hender
July 17, 1939 to July 21, 2022
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Claude Hender, at Saint Luke’s Home, St John’s, NL. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many.
Predeceased by parents Alfred and Ada Hender, brother Doug, brother-in-law Frank Short, sister-in -law Rose Hender. Left with fond and loving memories his loving wife of 56 years Margaret (Green); sons Derek (Paula), David (Laura) and daughter Janice (Kevin) Vriesendorp; grandsons “his pride and joy” Coleton, Cameron, Jason, Matthew and Dylan. Siblings Cecil, Calvin, Shirley Short, Clayton (Winnie), Evelyn (Derek) Locke, and Scott (Wendy). Sisters-in-law Jean Hender, Frances Strang; brothers-in-law Leslie (Daisy) Green and John (Lynda) Green. Plus many nephew, nieces, cousins and good friends.
Claude was born in Gambo and after graduating from Memorial University in 1964, he decided to return back to his roots, where he began his career in teaching as Vice-Principal of Smallwood Academy. It was there he met the “love of his life” Margaret and shortly got married and moved to their first home in Musgravetown where they lived for four years. They then settled in Gander where he continued his teaching career as Vice-Principal, Principal and Superintendent of Education. They lived there for almost 50 years, the place where their children call home.
In 1990 he decided on a new career path as Administrator for Long term care at Blue Crest Home in Grand Bank and Inter Faith Home in Corner Brook.
Claude loved to volunteer spending much time working for his church, working in all aspects from General Council to the local level. He also enjoyed many years as a Scout Leader and assisted in taking their troops to many Canadian Jamborees. He tutored many at various educational levels and on weekends he taught driving school to a number of people from high school level and beyond. Claude always enjoyed spending time with family at the cabin, ice fishing and cod fishing. In later years he loved spending time with his five grandsons on their visits back to Newfoundland and his many visits over the years to their homes in British Columbia, Louisiana and Iowa.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at the Kidney Care Unit, Mount Pearl Square for their care and support while taking dialysis treatment for just over three years. To the staff at Trinity Square, Saint Luke’s Home, we can’t thank you enough for the care and compassion shown during his short stay with you.
Donations in Claude’s memory can be made to the following organizations:
– Topsail United Church, 2426 Topsail Rd, Conception Bay South, NL A1W 5R4
– Fraser Road United Church, 1 Brochen Street, Gander, NL A1V1T3
– Kidney Care Centre, Health Care Foundation Suite 103, 71 Goldstone Street, St. John’s, NL A1B 5C3.
Funeral Service will be held at Fraser Road United Church, Gander, NL in the near future, at a date to be announced.
To Margaret and Family,
Our sincere condolences to all your family in the loss of your precious Claude. May God bless each of you.
Janet and Don Davis and family, and all of your Uncle George’s family
Margaret & Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. We have long-lasting memories of times spent together over the past 56 years, from camping when our kids were growing up, visiting back and forth or celebrating together our week apart wedding anniversaries. We will surely miss him. Our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
Love to all.💞
Winst & Viola
Margaret and family just want you guys to know he was the most pleasant man, i love joking around with him, i got a few laughs from him, he made my job enjoyable , everything he was going though the man never complained, and that smile off his was the cutest, i love it, i would say to him you have the cutiest little smile… he was say ( Oh I do, do i ) lol with this checky grin … he was such a pleasure to look after Mr .Hender ,he will be missed … fly high with the angles my friend
Margaret, I’m sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tafflyn Kean
Margaret and family: so sorry to learn of Claude’s passing. Claude, wins Brown, and I lived through some interesting times back in the mid sixties. We maintained our friendship over the years. Wins and I were there from the beginning of your relationship . Cherish your memories; I know I will. Rest well, my friend.
Sorry for your loss Derek and family
Derek and family, I’m so very sorry to hear of your dads passing. Peace and love to all during this difficult time.
Margaret and Family,
So sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Please accept my condolences for Mr Hender passing away. I enjoyed assisting him with his care and love talking to this man. He was very kind. it was a pleasure to serve him during his last moments here on earth.
Sending condolences to all the family. I remember Mr. Hender from my school days in Gander and his volunteer work in the church. A kind, caring gentleman who will be greatly missed.
Margaret and family
So sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marlene & Wallace Way
It was with a heavy heart I heard the news of Mr. Hender’s passing. Know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man and I have many memories of him as I spend time growing up in Gander and hanging out with you Janice. Lots of love is coming your way. May God give you the grace to move forward with all your memories.
Margaret & Family
So sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Thinking of you & your family at this sad time. Sincere condolences.
Frank & Louise Winsor
Margaret, I am so sorry to learn of Claude’s passing.. I always enjoyed every conversation with him. It was my pleasure to have participated in his care in recent years.
Paula Menard
It is with heavy hearts that we hear of Claude’s passing, but with much thanksgiving to have known a man who gave so much in the fields of education and health. Likewise, his volunteerism went above and beyond.
I had the opportunity and joy of working with him in education and partnering with him in consulting work.
In life you meet many friends, some stand out and truly Claude was an exceptional friend. He was a very humble and gentle man with many gifts that he
freely shared.
To Margaret and your family you were blessed to have had this man in your life as we were. he has left us with many cherished and wonderful memories.
Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Carl & Daphne Parsons
To the Hender family.
We are so sorry to hear of our cousin Claude’s passing.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and
Siblings. Cherish the memories.
Don Lush (Margaret) and family.
Brampton Ontario
Margaret, we are so sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Even though we haven’t kept in touch very much over the years, as cousins we would always love to hear how things are going with each other.
Our thoughts are with you, your family and Claude’s siblings and extended family members.
Your memories will help you through this difficult time.
God Bless
Betty( Lush) and Gordon Collins
Margaret & the Hender Family
Extending our condolences on your loss.. Claude was an integral part of our small social network in our early days of Smallwood Academy; hold many fond memories, especially of a remote fishing trip.
A few chats and contacts from our cottages at Butt’s Pond. Wishing you hope, comfort and strength during these difficult times.
Charlie & Dora Beckett
The Hender Family: We just sadly learned of Claude’s passing. May the good times and memories of Claude remain with you during this time of sorrow. He was a backbone of the Fraser Road United Church and I enjoyed working with him on the few occasions our duties met. God bless ……………..
Lindsay and Ruby Fraser
Claude was such a friendly man. I loved chatting with him about the Burin Peninsula. He would always say
“Have you got that house sold yet?” Margaret, you were both missed since Claude left our unit. Your love and caring ways toward each other was so obvious. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
It was so sad to hear of Claude’s passing. We lose touch with so many of our cousins over the years as we get on with our busy lives. But we never forget them, and we always love them. I remember Claude as a very kind, caring, and thoughtful person. He always visited with our Mom whenever he was in the area. I remember him well as our Vice-Principal in my final year of high school. And I remember having the opportunity to attend Margaret and Claude’s wedding. My sincere condolences to Margaret, to their children, and to all Claude’s siblings and extended family members. May your beautiful memories sustain you. Sending much love, Faye (Lush)Jones
Saddened to hear of Claude’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and the Hender family.
To Margaret & Family
Sorry to hear of Claud’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time
Margaret & family
I was deeply saddened to hear of Claude’s passing. Fond memories of working* with him on Council, at Fraser Rd. UC. Thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days ahead.
Margaret and Family: So sorry for your loss. Hope your memories can help you cope in the coming days ahead.
Margaret, my heart aches knowing what you and your family are going through at this very sad time. We have always enjoyed Claude’s and your friendship and cherish the many wonderful memories of our fun times and the many laughs we enjoyed together.. Hope to see you soon. Love and hugs. Lorraine
To the Hender family: So very sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Hugs to all. ❤️
Margaret, our deepest condolences on your husband’s, dad’s, grandfather’s and siblings loss. We know that you will all miss him dearly. I remember from my school days, which was many years ago, he was always so kind. He was involved in so much and so many people knew him. We will be thinking about you all at this very difficult and emotional time. Keep all your precious memories close to your hearts as you gather together as a family to remember him. Hugs and God Bless
Margaret & Family
Sincere Condolences to you and your Family on the Passing of Claude. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this very sad time.
Topsail United Church Men’s Club
It deeply saddens me to hear of cousin Claudes passing. I remember him mostly from his earlier years in Gambo. In my memory, I hear his unique voice and laugh, and know he indeed was very kind and gentle.
To lose someone so precious it will be difficult for you all.. Margaret, family and siblings take care of each other. May the Lord be gracious and help everyone through your pain and grief.
With sympathy,
Heather (Lush) and Francis King
To Margaret & family. So sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Claude was a very kind person – a gentleman & a gentle man. I was blessed to have known him. Dianne joins me in sending our condolences & assure you of our thoughts & prayers. God Bless. Bruce Kearley
Sorry to hear of Claude’s passing. Deepest sympathy to all the family..
Mrs. Hender, Calvin and the Hender Family,
I worked with Mr. Hender at the Interfath Home in Corner Brook. He was the epitome of a gentleman and a health administrator.
Thoughts, prayers and condolences on his passing.
Joan Peddle
Janice and family, so very sorry to hear the news of your dads passing. I know how much your dad ment to you. Hold on to the precious memories you have to help you during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you .
So saddened to hear the news of Claude’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.. Sending comforting hugs, love and blessings.
Marion and Hayward
Margaret and family, We share in your sadness, we extend deepest sympathy, we will fondly remember a colleague and a friend. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known him. Big hugs to all, Eric and Fannie
So sorry to hear of Claude’s death. We have many good memories., especially those at Fraser Road United.
Jack and Malba
Condolences to the family. May God in his mercy hold your family in his hands and bring your family peace and comfort during this time
From the Pritchett Family, Gambo
Oh Margaret and family, my heart is sad. Claude welcomed me as a newly ordained minister back to the United Church NL Conference in 2002 and he was the only person ever who could keep my attention and have me understand a budget statement without my eyes glazing over. (ha-ha) He would actually have me enthralled with how he laid out our stewardship of financial responsibilities so that we could best be about God’s work in the world in Jesus’ example. What fun we shared and what a heart for the church and his faith he had. We heard about all of your family and kept up on your whereabouts as he spoke with such pride in all of you. I was honoured to step into his unfillable shoes and follow him at the General Council Executive of our national church as West District representative and I can tell you he was well respected and his work valued at that court of our national church as well. He truly was a gentleman and a gentle man. A faithful follower of Christ. Margaret, I pray the faith you shared and the hope Claude held in the words of our Creed that God is with us in life, in death and in life beyond death will comfort you now and strengthen you in the days ahead. I am so very thankful his path crossed mine in this life. Reverend Paula Gale
Oh Margaret and family, my heart is sad. Claude welcomed me as a newly ordained minister back to the United Church NL Conference in 2002 and he was the only person ever who could keep my attention and have me understand a budget statement without my eyes glazing over. (ha-ha) He would actually have me enthralled with how he laid out our stewardship of financial responsibilities so that we could best be about God’s work in the world in Jesus’ example. What fun we shared and what a heart for the church and his faith he had. We heard about all of your family and kept up on your whereabouts as he spoke with such pride in all of you. I was honoured to step into his unfillable shoes and follow him at the General Council of our national church as West District representative and I can tell you he was well respected and his work valued at that court of our national church as well. He truly was a gentleman and a gentle man. A faithful follower of Christ. Margaret, I pray the faith you shared and the hope Claude held in the words of our Creed that God is with us in life, in death and in life beyond death will comfort you now and strengthen you in the days ahead. I am so very thankful his path crossed mine in this life. Reverend Paula Gale
Sincere condolences to the entire family. We knew Claude well in his role as School Board Superintendent and had many interactions with him over the years. His commitment to education is something to be truly admired.