With much love, appreciation and sadness, the family of Hugh Mogensen announces his peaceful passing at his residence in Oak Bay (Victoria) B.C. on September 23rd, 2020 at the age of 90 years.
Hugh was predeceased by his loving wife Helen Elizabeth in 2013, and his daughter Jean Ann (Marc Langlois) in 2018.
He is survived by his remaining five children: Karen Gummo (Ken); Faye Mogensen (Christian Engelstoft); Ruth Mogensen (Allan Hart); Cathy Harrold (Brent); and Rick Mogensen (Boon-Hwa Kim). He also leaves to treasure his memory 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a large extended family.
He is survived by brothers Ken (Liz) & Norman (Joan), and sister Doris McKeon (Ron); he was predeceased by his youngest brother Nels Wayne (Muriel) in 2015.
Hugh was born in Calgary's General Hospital on August 13, 1930, the eldest of five children of new Danish immigrants Nels and Dagny (Munk) Mogensen.
He spent his first nine years in East Calgary, an area we now call Inglewood. In 1939 his parents left the challenging economic times in the city for a farming homestead northwest of Red Deer that they literally carved out of dense bush.
For the next nine years he lived with his family while often boarding with others in the Rimbey and Red Deer areas so that he could attend high school. The freedom and challenges he experienced as a youth instilled in Hugh an unwavering determination and work ethic.
After a brief stint as a school-teacher in rural Alberta, Hugh returned to the University of Alberta and in 1956 graduated with a B.Sc. in Geology. At the same time, his high school romance with Helen Swainson blossomed; they were married in August 1955.
Given the current COVID related restrictions, a virtual memorial service is being planned for later this fall - see www.firstmemorialsaanich.com where more details about Hugh's life and updates regarding service timing etc. will be posted.
First Memorial Funeral Services
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