Richard Paul HACKER

HACKER, Richard Paul February 25, 1938 - September 1, 2022 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Paul Hacker. Paul passed away with family by his side, ending his courageous battle with cancer. While we mourn him, we know that he is reunited with loved ones in heaven and that we will see him again. Paul was born in 1938 in Preston, Ontario, the second of four children, to Frederick and Edith Irene Hacker and developed a love for music and sports early in life. On January 10th, 1953 he made the decision to follow Jesus which changed the course of his life. He started his career in the 1960s as a teacher, first in high schools in Ontario and then in Nigeria and Kenya. It was also in Sameta, Kenya in 1971 that he and Jeannine were married. In 1972, Paul began his church ministry as a pastor first in Ontario and then in Quebec. From 1977-1979 Paul and his young family lived in Zambia where he taught before returning to ministry in Canada again in Ontario and British Columbia until his retirement in 1998. During this time, Paul and Jeannine raised their four children, Jeremie, Julie, Josée and Jamie. In retirement, Paul's passion for travel and philanthropy took him to many parts of the world, mainly in Africa, India and Ukraine, where he supported housing and school projects. He also greatly enjoyed his many trips to Israel and was devoted to learning Hebrew. Throughout his life, career and travels, Paul connected with people, intensely curious about their life story, the meaning of their name and their connection to other places in the world. He also marvelled in the beauty of nature, often stopping to pick up mementos and to capture photographs. Paul will be remembered for his warmth, kindness and playful spirit. He enjoyed sharing his musical talents with others and was an example of the joy, peace and purpose he found in living a life for God. Paul was disciplined in retirement, spending time daily playing his trumpet, playing piano, studying scriptures, learning languages and praying. Even as Paul lived with health issues over the past few years, he treasured the daily walks with his wife Jeannine at Deas Island Regional Park and delighted in spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Paul will be fondly remembered by his wife, Jeannine, and his children, Jeremie (Cynthia), Julie (Chris), Josée (Mike), and Jamie (David). His legacy will also live on in his grandchildren, Emma-lee (Leighton), Amy, Bethany, Katie, Lily, Wesley, Rosie, Sarah (Louis), Anna, Molly, Henry, Natalie, Maelle, Eileen, and great-grandson Hyder. He will also be missed by his brother, Fred (Marla) and sister, Beryl (Harv), many nieces and nephews, and large extended family. Paul is now reunited in heaven with his eldest son Timothy, parents Frederick and Edith Irene Hacker, and sister Janice. The Hacker family would like to extend their utmost gratitude to Dr. Zavaglia, Ken Simpson and the South Delta Home Health team, and the staff at the Irene Thomas Hospice for their compassionate care of Paul. A virtual celebration of life will be held at a later date. Gifts in memoriam can be given to support the ministries of Outreach Canada, Oxfam or Union Gospel Mission. "The Lord has graciously blessed my life with his hand of strength and heart of love. It's really been a great sail on the ocean of life. For every day, week, month and year God has given me, my heart rejoices in him our heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ His beloved Son, our Lord and Savior; and in the Blessed Holy Spirit our comforter and guide."