Howard Hendriks
1944-2020
Howard passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2020 at the
Cambridge Memorial Hospital at age 75. Howard was born in the parish
of St. Andrew, Jamaica on February 24th, 1944, the son of the late
Allan & Arabelle Hendriks. He was the cherished husband of Paula
for 51 years, and will be lovingly remembered by son Jason (Johanna),
grandson Talon; siblings David (Lily), Maureen Copping (Guy),
Margaret-Ann Schwab (Jeffrey), extended family and many friends.
Howard courageously faced several years of health challenges.
At age 16 Howard was bitten by the flying bug when he accompanied an
elderly friend to Miami. By19 he gained his student pilot’s licence
and by 21 his private pilot’s licence. Working with IBM in Jamaica
from 1966 to 1969 as a typewriter technician he frequently flew small
planes to various places on the island to service IBM equipment – and
had some hair-raising adventures too. After moving to Canada in 1969
he applied to IBM Canada and was hired by them.
In 1970, at 26, Howard studied for and achieved his Canadian
Commercial Pilot’s licence. This led to a long flying career which
began in November 1972 with Air Jamaica. After leaving Air Jamaica he
worked with Worldways Canada, and SkyService Airlines. He captained
several airliners including the DC-8, L-1011 (his favourite), B727 and
A300.
Howard was a long-time member of Trinity Anglican Church in Cambridge
and sang in the choir. He loved music, and taught himself to play the
electronic organ. He played the church’s pipe organ well enough to
amaze people who heard him. He also volunteered in various groups at
Trinity Church.
Camping with his young family in a trailer beside the Grand River near
Orangeville was his favourite way to spend his free time in the
summer. Later in life he spent many summers enjoying sailing on
Georgian Bay.
Howard was an enthusiastic volunteer. His love of sailing led him to
become a boating course instructor for the local Canadian Power and
Sail Squadron. He gave aviation and airline career presentations to
high schools and service clubs in Cambridge. In Jamaica and later in
Canada Howard proposed corrections to the published Aviation Charts,
many of which were accepted. He learned about synthetic lubricants for
engines and became an independent Amsoil dealer. He strongly advocated
the use of these lubricants and enjoyed showing individuals and
businesses the benefits of their use.
Howard was an accomplished photographer. He loved to photograph
weddings of family and friends. One of his photos of a beautiful
stained glass window in Trinity Church became a Trinity Christmas
card.
He liked corny jokes, and making kids laugh. He adored his delightful
grandson Talon.
Howard’s family appreciates the messages of encouragement, expressions
of sympathy, and prayers. Our thanks to the nurses and staff at
Cambridge Memorial Hospital for their kind and compassionate care.
Special thanks to the many caring PSWs who looked after Howard while
he was at home.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Howard’s life will
be held at a later date at Trinity Anglican Church, Cambridge.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air–..
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Howard Hendriks 19442020..
Death notice for the town of: Cambridge, Province: Ontario