Passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at Guelph General Hospital at the age of 80. He was the beloved husband of Elfriede nee Urban, the proud father of step-daughter Gabriele Fearnall (John) and of son Michael (Anna), grand-father of Jeffrey Fearnall (Courtney) and Christian von Dehn, and great grandfather of Ella Fearnall-Mann. Chris was the son of Julius Dehn (deceased) and Tessa Dehn (deceased) nee Rotermann. Chris is survived by his sisters Ursula, Karin, Barbara and Monika and predeceased by his brother Heinrich.
Chris, a Baltic German, was born in Estonia and in 1951 he immigrated to Canada with his parents and three of his four sisters where they settled in London, Ontario. Chris attended and graduated from H. B. Beal H.S., the London Teachers’ College, and the University of Western Ontario all in London. He became a mathematics teacher and head of the department at New Toronto S.S., Etobicoke School of the Arts, Martingrove C. I. and Thistletown C. I., all in Etobicoke, Ontario. He also taught at Westminster S.S. in London and Hillcrest P.S. in Hamilton. Chris enjoyed his time coaching minor soccer in Oakville and high school sports and academic teams in Etobicoke. His hobby, which required much physical support from Elfriede, was raising horses for pleasure, show jumping and the race track.
At Chris’ request, his body will be cremated and there will be no visitation or funeral service. A celebration of life will be held at Riverside Retirement Home in Guelph on Sunday November 27 from 2pm-5pm. If desired, in lieu of expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Parkinson Foundation of Canada or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051 or www.wallcustance.com.