It is with great sadness that we announce that Eugene Wilfred Hemsworth passed away peacefully on June 29, 2021.  Predeceased by his loving wife Joan May (nee Cooper), his parents Jessie Annie (nee Colnaghi) and Wilfred Hemsworth, and grandparents Eugene Frederick Robert and Jessie Nellie Colnaghi. He is survived by his three children Paul, Mark and Shelly; his grandchildren Jade, Jordan, Brittany, Drew, Hayley, Shane, Dylan, and Jasmine; and his great-grandchildren Catlin, Chloe, Jaxson, Jasper, Gabriel, Noah, and Leila.  Gene was born on December 12, 1932 in Isleworth, England. Gene grew up during the war and was raised by his much-admired grandfather, Pop.

As a young man, he became a member of the R.T. Royal Air Force and was stationed in Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan from 1951-53.
Upon his return in 1953, Gene married Joan and they began their family with two sons Paul and Mark. Shortly thereafter, they immigrated to Canada in 1957. The family grew with the addition of a daughter, Shelly.
Gene began to build a life for his family in Edmonton, Alberta and pursued a career as a Custom House Broker, eventually becoming the CEO and owner of his own brokerage business. He served as the President of the Canadian Custom House Brokers Association in Edmonton, and from 1980-81, as the President of the Administrative Management Society, Edmonton Chapter.
The 1980s brought a new chapter with a move to the West Coast. Gene sold his brokerage business and the family moved to British Columbia to open a recreational SCUBA dive shop called World Aquatic Sports (Aqua World).
Gene and Joan, through their generosity of spirit, raised a second family, their grandchildren Shane, Dylan and Jasmine. In 1987, the family moved to Victoria, B.C. when Gene acquired and operated the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in Canada. He also brought MEDIC First Aid programming for diving instructors to Canada.
Through his hard work and determination, he built PADI Canada into the leading association and expanded recreational diving across Canada. He was instrumental in launching Project Aware in Canada, creating artificial underwater reefs such as M.V. G.B. Church (Sidney, B.C. 1991), Saguenay (Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1994), and HMCS MacKenzie (Sidney, B.C. in 1995).
Gene’s next ventures, Emergency Medical Planning Canada and Adanac College, brought MEDIC First Aid and safety training to businesses from coast to coast across Canada.
Gene and Joan became members of the Christian Life Church in Victoria, B.C. in 1990 and dedicated themselves to God and their church. Sadly, Gene’s beloved Joan passed in August of 1995.
Gene continued to operate PADI until 1997 and EMP Canada and Adanac College until 2010 when at the age of 78 he took his well-deserved retirement, and started the next chapter in his life. He poured himself into his biblical studies to achieve his goal of becoming a minister, and was ordained as a minister of the United Pentecostal Church.

Gene had a passion for God, for education and for business. He combined these passions to create an extraordinary life. Gene was a much-admired minister not only by friends and family, but by all who knew him. He was a man that had boundless energy and a sense of purpose. He was known for his indomitable spirit.
The family was always foremost for Gene and he enjoyed spending time with them, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He is on to his next chapter, reunited with the love of his life, Joan, together praising the Lord.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, July 9th, 2021 at the Cornerstone Pentecostal Church, 4274 Wilkinson Road Victoria, British Columbia. There will be a viewing at the church from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm and the service will start at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ca/

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • Mark C.

    I’ll never forget Gene. He had a way with young Instructor wanna-be’s that completely put you at ease. Thank you so much for making me feel like I was joining a real top notch organization. R.I.P. Gene till we meet again.

  • Bill Lucas

    I met Gene on a professional basis in 1994 while working for Medic First Aid in the US. He was always such a pleasure to be around and will be missed. Over my 26 years with Medic First Aid, I also dealt with Mark and Shane quite frequently. My condolences to both of them and the remainder of the family. I am reminded that every conversation I had with Gene ended with him saying “God bless”. May I return that thought to the Hemsworth family at this time.

  • Matthew

    Condolences to the family. He was one of the most friendly gentlemen that I have ever met. His story’s from Padi are magical. We have lost a great man. He will be sadly missed.

  • Caroline Johnston

    Gene touched the lives and hearts of so many. He and Joan will forever be remembered for their kindness and generosity. Gene gave so many the gift of a greater appreciation for the ocean and a deeper understating of faith, memories that will forever be with us.
    May memories comfort you all and the love of those around you bring strength and peace.

  • Robin Johnston

    Gene was a treasure. Marsha and I dearly loved Gene and Joan. It was such a great pleasure to watch his faith grow. When we look back at that season of our life, we always remember our friendship with the Hemsworth family. We look forward to when we shall meet again.

    Robin and Marsha Johnston

  • Amanda

    Condolences to the Hemsworth Family.
    Shane, we know how much your grandpa means to you. He will continue to live forever in your heart.
    Xoxo Chris, Amanda & Jackson.

  • Nigel

    My heartfelt condolences go out to all of Gene’s family. A true gentleman, will be sorely missed.

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