Erhard ‘Ed’ Edward Van Bargen

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospice – he would have loved another 50 years of life.

Ed Van Bargen of London, in his 86th year. Beloved husband of Christiane Van Bargen for 62 years. Loving father of Michele Van Bargen and Chris (Deanna) Van Bargen. Cherished by his sister, Anneliese Stockmann; niece, Cornelia Stockman; half-sister, Barbara Vick; half-brother, Wolfgang Van Bargen. Adored grandfather of Jordan, Mackenzie and Colby. Predeceased by his mother, Anna Van Bargen and father, Arthur Van Bargen.

Ed was a police officer in Hamburg, Germany for three years before immigrating to Canada in 1956 following the love of his life, Christiane, marrying her in Hamilton in July of 1959. He worked in construction before entering the plumbing trade. The couple, along with his in-laws, made their way to London in 1960 where he plied his trade with Paton Bros Plumbing until 1970. They started their family in the Westmount area of London and reside there still.

Ed, the business man that he was, started “Ed Van Bargen Plumbing and Heating” where he did the plumbing in as many as 50 high-rise apartments in South Western Ontario towns and cities like Tillsonburg, St. Thomas, Kincardine, and many in London, employing up to 10-15 plumbers. He was still vibrantly working up till last year and was more like a 75-year-old! Unfortunately, Ed was diagnosed with Mesothelioma – cancer from asbestos, this past January. A sad reality of this profession for many, many years.

He loved the social aspect of the construction trade and spent many lunches at the Portuguese restaurants and clubs around London and was told he was “adopted into the Portuguese community” because he was at the restaurants up to four times per week! There is nothing he loved more than working hard and rewarding himself with the food he loved along with a bottle of red wine and the company of his friends.

Ed’s other passions included playing Scat with friends at the German Club and dancing. He once won a dance contest in Bayfield, Ontario with Christiane where they showed off their jive moves. Ed loved traveling to Germany in his later years to visit his sister and niece along with many friends. He very much loved family get-togethers at the family cottage on Lake Huron and was able to visit the cottage earlier this year for one such visit.

The family would like to thank the nurses, PSW’s, volunteers and the doctor at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their compassionate care and for the comfort given to Ed. They allowed him to spend his final days with dignity and grace. They demonstrated the same comfort and care towards the family and we will be forever grateful. He was a very giving man, taught us as much with his actions as his silence and he will be greatly missed.

A private family gathering will be held; however, there will be a Celebration of Life at a later date once restrictions have eased. Detailed updates will be available in the near future at >http://VanBargen.com. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Ed are asked to consider St. Joseph’s Hospice of London.