Carl William Keith Hoelke

With sadness, we announce the passing of Carl Hoelke — husband, father, grandfather, scientist, and lifelong outdoor enthusiast — at the age of 91.

Born in Pembroke, Ontario, Carl spent his entire professional life working in electrometallurgy at AECL (now CNL) in Chalk River. In 1965, he moved to Deep River with his wife, Patricia, where they raised their four children. A lifelong adventurer, Carl was happiest when immersed in nature, so it was fitting that he was born on April 22, now known as Earth Day.

Carl appreciated the simpler things in life: the feel of a canoe paddle in the water, the crackle of a campfire, a cup of tea, and a good book. Preferably all four in the same afternoon, and ideally with a dog by his side.

An accomplished woodworker, Carl built his house and much of the beautiful furniture within it by hand. Combining his woodworking skills with his passion for sailing, he built Y-flyers and other dinghies, which he raced in regattas in Deep River, Pembroke, and Kingston. He also built — and later rebuilt — a CS22, which he aptly christened Second Wind.

Carl believed strongly in giving back to his community. For many years, he shared his time, knowledge, and love of woodworking and the outdoors with the Deep River Boy Scouts and the Tamarack program at Mackenzie High School. It was important to him that respect for nature and a passion for outdoor life be passed on to the next generation.

In his younger years, Carl was very athletic. In addition to sailing, he enjoyed cycling, camping and hiking, including a solo hike across the width of Algonquin Park. He was also an avid skier. In the early 1960s, together with several other like-minded individuals, he became a founding member of and instructor at the Petawawa Ski Club. Carl always had a pair of cross-country skis at the ready, often skiing home from work in Chalk River. Always up for a new athletic adventure, Carl decided at age 44 to run the National Capital Marathon, despite having never trained for a running race before.

No new skill was off limits. He took up photography, converting the basement cold room into a darkroom. He also played the bagpipes, usually in the backyard (he had very tolerant neighbours). He was very proud of the fact that he managed to make it through his entire career without using computers… then upon retirement promptly took a computer course.

But paddling a canoe was where Carl was always most at home. He built several cedar-strip canoes by hand and enjoyed many long canoe trips, both solo and with friends.

Carl is survived by his four children: Waruna Hoelke and his partner Gail Kelly of Pembroke; Heather Hoelke and her husband Ed Hudon of Bancroft; Maria Hoelke of Pembroke; and Maureen Patterson and her husband Todd of Markham. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Avery Hudon, Matthew Hudon, Claire Patterson, and Lindsay Patterson. Carl is predeceased by his wife, Patricia Anne (Biehle) Hoelke.

As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. In memory of Carl, please consider a donation to the Ontario Humane Society or Friends of Algonquin Park.

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