Remembering Henry Van Pypen

It is with the most profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Henry, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Henry leaves behind a very close and loving family. He was the beloved husband for 50 years to the love of his life, Mary-Jayne. Henry was the dearly loved and cherished father to his two daughters and sons-in-law, Melanie and Trevor, and Amanda and Francis. He was also an extremely loving and active Poppa and Opa in the lives of his three beautiful grandchildren, Laurel, Cedar and Haseya; they loved him so much and delighted in every moment they spent with him. Henry’s greatest joy in life was his family, and the memories of their time together will be carried in the hearts of his wife, his children, and his grandchildren. They will all miss him deeply and his legacy will live on through them.

Henry had a very successful thirty-year career in sales and marketing management in Toronto, Ontario, before starting and developing his own family-owned and operated business in 2014, Northern Channels Lifestyle Furnishings. Henry’s excellent customer service was second to none and his clients and suppliers all across Canada respected and admired him.

Henry was most content when he was surrounded by the people he loved. He spent many enjoyable hours boating on the Sunchaser throughout the Trent-Severn Waterway with Mary-Jayne, the kids and grandkids. He and Mary-Jayne also made many lifelong friends from their boating years. He loved daily hikes with his border collie Maisie, snowshoeing through the forest, camping together with his kids and grandkids, and swimming in the Great Lakes, especially at Lake Superior and Sandbanks Provincial Parks. It brought him great joy to spend time cooking spectacular meals for his family and friends while listening to his favourite music and enjoying a laugh with a spectacular Irish whiskey in hand; those were some of Henry’s special moments in life.

Henry was an eternal optimist and he approached every challenge with positivity and optimism. He believed the best in people and inspired those around him to do the same. His encouraging words and uplifting presence made the world a warmer place for his family and friends.

Henry was predeceased by his parents, Margo and Arnold Van Pypen. He is sadly mourned by his sisters, Margo (Bill, predeceased), Wilma (Rick), Johanna (Bill), and Ria, predeceased (Bruce). He will be greatly missed by his sister-in-law Susan and brother-in-law John. He was loved and predeceased by his brother-in-law Dennis and sister-in-law Shirley. Henry will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Power and Van Pypen families as well as his many friends and colleagues.

We welcome all to join us in celebrating Henry and remembering his well-lived life. This celebration will take place on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Paul’s United Church, 62 Peter St. N., Orillia, Ontario. Reception to follow in the church banquet hall. Henry will be laid to rest in the spring of 2027 in St. Charles Borromeo Cemetery in Read, Ontario, while holding a place for his beloved wife, Mary-Jayne, where they will be together again.

Donations in Henry’s memory to the Hudson Regional Cancer Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ontario, foundation@rvh.on.ca, or to the Oncology Unit at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario, osmhfoundation@osmh.on.ca, will be gratefully received.

“No one else can ever possess my heart. Ever thine, ever mine, ever ours.”