John Klecker

John H. Klecker, 69, of Mission, BC, a loving husband, son, father and grandfather, passed away suddenly on Monday, September 10, 2012 in Mission, BC, in the arms of his beloved wife. John was a retired Printing Pressman for The Vancouver Sun and Province, and a long standing member of the Mission Golf and Country Club.
John was born in Munich, Germany in 1943 to Johannes and Helenne Klecker and was the first of four boys in the family. He moved to Canada in 1960 already having obtained his Pressman Journeyman license, where he settled first in Edmonton, AB. In 1965 he married and moved to Vancouver, BC. He worked for a few printing companies and taught some courses at the Vancouver Vocational Institute before starting his career as a pressman for the Vancouver Sun in 1968. He worked with the Vancouver Sun, first starting in the old SUN building in Vancouver, until his retirement at the Surrey printing plant in 2005. He was highly respected among his peers, always willing to assist others when asked and known as very skilled in his trade. Outside of work John was focused on his family. Having had the same employer and home from 1968 to retirement, he was able to provide a strong and consistent home life. Every weekend he involved himself in his children's minor soccer careers, and each summer consisted of a lengthy camping vacation somewhere new. Although known for being a "gruff German", those who knew him could see his kind soul, quick wit and intense love for his family. The most joyful times in his life were when his two grandchildren came to visit; for them he was quick to set aside time, was playful and all smiles. John participated in competitive soccer, scuba diving, wild mushroom picking but his love was always golf. Having been a member of the Mission Golf and Country Club for 40 years he had made a lot of friends and will be mournfully missed.
John is being mourned by his wife of 47 years Mary Klecker (nee: Buffel); children, Ken (Laurie) and Christina Cronk (Brent); mother, Helenne Klecker (nee: Huber); brothers, Rudolf Klecker, Peter Klecker and William (Sandy) Klecker; and his everything, his grandchildren; Selia Klecker and Logan Cronk. He was preceded in death by his father Johannes Klecker.