Obituary of Henry Van Kessel

The family of Henry Van Kessel Jr. is saddened to announce his passing, as a result of a motor vehicle accident, on Saturday November 20 in Lone Butte, BC. Henry had a gentle soul and led an interesting life in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Cuba. He will be missed by his children: Sasha, Rebecca and Julian (Bodhi), all of BC; his wife Dignora, of Cuba and Gerry and Annie, Gatineau, QC, John and Chris, London, JoAnne Sharp, Forest, Jean and Herman Naus, Wyoming, Tony and Angie, Forest, Harriet and Kevin Peers, Fort McMurray, AB, Mike and Jeannine, Forest. A memorial service was held for Henry in 100 Mile House, BC on Sat. Nov. 27. We invite family and friends to a service celebrating Henry's life on Saturday December 4, 2:00 PM at the Forest Legion. Lone Butte firefighter killed in traffic accident Published: November 23, 2010 8:00 AM A volunteer firefighter for the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department has died. The Cariboo Regional District says Henry Van Kessel, 62, died in a motor vehicle accident Saturday, Nov. 20. At about 10:30 p.m., Van Kessel, a member of the department since 2007, was on his way to the Lone Butte Fire Hall responding to a chimney fire call when he was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 24, just east of the fire hall, the CRD says. The Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department initiated first responder and auto extrication and called for help from the 100 Mile House Fire Department's auto extrication unit. Van Kessel was transported to the 100 Mile House and District Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. 150 Mile House Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Stan McCarthy provided Workman's Compensation Board critical incident counselling to Lone Butte members on Saturday and will also return to Lone Butte this evening for further counselling. Van Kessel leaves behind family and many friends from the South Cariboo, the Lower Mainland, Ontario and Cuba. Members of the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department and Van Kessel's family are in the process of making service arrangements. The CRD board of directors and staff offer their condolences to Van Kessel's family, friends and the members of the Lone Butte Volunteer Fire Department for their loss.