KLEIN, Jorge Alberto

Passed away at Hospice Wellington in Guelph, Ontario surrounded by his wife and four children on Thursday, July 21, 2022.

Jorge leaves behind his spouse of 50 years, Veronica, his son Albert, spouse Amber, and their two children Carley and Ethan, eldest daughter Katrin, her spouse Rohan, and their two children Keira and Samuel, middle daughter Ingrid, her spouse Johnny, and their four children Madelyn, Charlotte, Henry and James, and youngest daughter Monika, her spouse Jason, and their two children Paxton and Aurora. He is predeceased by his parents Heinrich Johan Klein (1978) and Emma Maria (Lutz) Klein (1981), and his eldest brother Hans Heinz Klein (2002). His passing will be a great loss to his sister Margarethe Klein and his brother Franz Klein. He was well-loved by his sisters and brothers-in-law, his many nieces and nephews and his church family.

Jorge was born in his family’s farmhouse in Fontibon, Colombia on March 3, 1944. Being the youngest of four children, with 15, 14 and 7 years age difference, he spent much of his childhood being spoiled by his mother. Living in a rural area, he entertained himself by playing with the many animals living on their farm, snacking on the variety of fruits growing in their expansive garden, and dismantling then reassembling any mechanical machinery he could find. He enjoyed constructing roadways and bridges for his toy cars and developed a love for model trains. When his siblings had grown and moved out, he was fortunate to go on many adventures with his parents, travelling across the country and across the ocean to Europe.

Even from a young age, he had a passion for music and theatre, and although they both attended the German school Colégio Andino, it was their mutual love of the arts and involvement in the church youth group, where Jorge met and fell in love with Veronica. They wed on August 12, 1972. He began a degree in engineering, but always devoted to family, the newlyweds continued to live in the Fontibon farmhouse and he ultimately left university to care for his ailing mother. After a couple years, the couple moved out to make a family of their own.

After the death of his parents, birth of his four children and varied entrepreneurial careers, they made the difficult decision to leave Colombia. In 1988, the family of six immigrated to Ontario, Canada. Starting out in a new country was not easy, but he always did what was necessary to provide, often working two jobs and long hours, leaving much of the child-rearing to his wife. He took advantage of any time outside of work to share his passions for geography and watercolour painting with his children. He used his carpentry skills, with the help of Veronica’s folk art painting skills, to make a backyard playhouse and doll furniture sets that were the envy of the neighbourhood.

He had many obstacles to overcome in terms of his health, but often appearing to be a medical marvel or, at least in his family’s opinion, a bionic superhero, he either learned to adapt or beat most of his diagnoses. Having overcome two previous cancers, a third cancer diagnosis was too much for his already beaten body. Rooted in his faith, he was at peace with his fate.

He will be remembered as a gentle, kind soul, with a quick wit. He loved to listen to others’ stories and was open and welcoming to everyone he met. He adored his wife, children and grandchildren and was adored by them in return.

A Memorial Service will be held on July 30, 2022 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, with reception to follow at Kortright Presbyterian Church - 55 Devere Dr. Guelph, ON N1G 2T3. Guests are welcome to arrive any time after 10:00 am to meet with the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask donations be made in his honour to one of the following: Children’s Foundation of Guelph & Wellington, Friends of the Orphans Canada, or Hospice Wellington. Donations can be made at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com

The family would like to thank Jorge’s family physician, Dr. Ting, the community palliative team including his nurse Jessica and Dr. Brodovsky and entire team at Hospice Wellington for their amazing care and support.