Henry Borge

Born November 17, 1919

Died August 20, 2012

Henry aka Hank, Curly, Leftie,Whitey was born to Janette Borge (nee Nilsen) and Peter Borge in The Bronx, NYC, to Norwegian immigrant parents, and lived in Brooklyn and Long Island before serving in Europe and the Pacific during WWII. After the war, he moved to Seattle where he met Helen and her two sons Gordon and Corky. They moved to California, where Barb and Scott were born. On a fishing trip to Vancouver Island, he knew that he wanted to raise his kids away from the “rat race” of big cities, in the natural beauty of the Island. The first move was to Vancouver where he worked in the window industry and made screens during evenings and weekends with a colleague from his years in the California window industry. He wanted to start his own glass business, and with the help of two “silent” partners he opened Allied Glass in 1961, with Hank becoming the patriarch of a very successful business for 30 years. He was a pioneer in this city in the development of specialty glazing products – he and his skilled staff were a favourite of property managers looking to solve the impossible. Henry was one of the city’s first employers to successfully use profit sharing. He also had commanding presence amplified by a straightforward approach that often rubbed up against the reserved Victoria style. But those who knew him knew a devoted father, husband and business owner. He was a extremely loving, generous and positive man with a tremendous sense of humour. During his lifetime he greatly enjoyed listening to music, gardening, golf, reading, bridge, and crib. He had terrific “card sense” and won most of the time including just days before his death. Athletic accomplishments include attending a pitching clinic as a teenager held by the New York Yankees, playing high school basketball at Madison Square Gardens, and being the best left handed golfer at Uplands! His first wife Helen predeceased him in 1990. After remarrying at age 80 in Carlsbad, California he was predeceased by Edith in 2009. At that time Henry finally was able to return to Victoria to live, with the help of his children Barbara and Scott, and their families. Also predeceased by sisters Astrid Appiarius and Ruth Sira, and stepson Wallace “Corky” Norman. Remembering Henry are his daughter Barbara Landell (Bob), son Scott (Gunnell), stepson Gordon Norman (Eileen), grandchildren Steve and Connie, Rebecca, Stefan, Jason, Mieka and Joe, great-grandchildren Ebony and Ethan, and his only brother Stanley Borge of California and many friends. Deep gratitude to many people who made Henry’s life so pleasurable since returning to Victoria:  Karen, Jo, Larysa, Aryn, Melanie, Dr James Houston, staff at St Charles Manor, and the musicians who sang “I’ll Remember April” for Henry every time he requested it! Henry will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Please join his family to honour his memory and celebrate his life at the Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road in Victoria on Sunday, September 9th, 2012 from 3-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry’s name would be appreciated to the “Entertainment Fund” St. Charles Manor, Attn: Val (250) 595-4255. Condolences may be offered to the family below.

www.mccallbros.com.