"I first met Ole at Lake Louise 30 years ago when are children were in the Nancy Greene ski program and have been friends ever since. Ole and his family bought a place at Kicking Horse which became his home-hill. I shall miss his constant smile." Keith W Hern
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ole Hansen, husband, father, friend and mentor on July 14th, 2023. He leaves behind his wife Alex of 47 years, daughters Tanya (Garrett) and Ellyse (Mark), brother Jens (Christine) of Ottawa, sister Grethe and many nieces and nephews.
Ole was born in Gessing, Denmark in 1946 and at the age of five moved with his family to Canada, where his father continued his farming tradition. They settled in the Belleville area of Ontario. His Danish roots never left him, especially during Christmas when we all had to endure his love of Acqavit and pickled herring!
At the age of nineteen, Ole lost his leg in a tragic car accident on his way skiing. While in the hospital, Ole heard that an Austrian skier had mastered skiing on one leg and from that day his passion for the sport never waivered. While hitch hiking out west during his university days, Ole discovered the mountains – as the saying goes “the mountains are calling…” When a position became available for State Farm Insurance, he headed west to Calgary. There was one hitch, while skiing at Blue Mountain in Ontario, he met the love of his life Alex. Seems he caught her eye with his ‘John Denver’ good looks. She soon followed and after a two month courtship, they were engaged and married within the year.
Ole started his insurance adjusting career with State Farm, eventually starting his own adjusting firm with Don Bauer, and later with Glenn Labelle. Ole gained the respect of his peers through his knowledge, honesty and integrity. His annual golf tournaments were legendary, especially his off colored jokes and sense of humor.
Ole’s greatest love was for his girls, Tanya and Ellyse in whom he instilled his passion for skiing and the mountains. He became somewhat of a legend at Lake Louise, not only as an inspiration to young skiers but to a group of twenty somethings known as ‘Jack’s Gang’. He was given the name ‘the stick man’ which endured to this day, along with the deep friendships and bonds that were created on the ski hill in the 80’s and 90’s.
Ole loved to travel with his family on countless trips to Whistler, Europe and particularly to Palm Springs’s where he honed his amazing golfing skills. His favorite place however was on top of the world above the clouds at Kicking Horse with his girls, anticipating the next run down.
He continued biking, golfing, walking and still did fifty sit ups every morning! He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives were touched by this remarkable man!
Ole and Alex were perennial supporters of the Friend of the Golden & District Hospital
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