February 27, 1936 - February 9, 2025
In loving memory ~
Bent passed away peacefully on February 9 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jannie; their four children, Karen (Steve), Eric (Noeleen), Peter (Kym) and Julie (Mark); ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Bent was born in Odense, Denmark and raised in Aalborg, where he trained as a ship carpenter. At 19 years of age, he set off for Canada, working his way west until he reached Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Here, he met and married Jannie deVries in 1957, and they embarked on a 68-year adventure together. In 1961, with two kids in tow, the family relocated to Sidney, where Bent started working at Philbrook's shipyard.1971 saw Bent and his family moving to Akosombo, Ghana, for a year and a half, where he set up a boat-building school as part of a United Nations project. Upon returning to Sidney, Bent started his own wooden boat-building business, aptly named Bent Jespersen Boatbuilders.
For many happy years, Bent enjoyed success in building beautiful boats for nice people. Upon retiring in 1994, Bent and Jannie enjoyed a long series of hiking and travelling adventures. He remained a respected and active member of the boating community, and in November of 2024 received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Maritime Achievement.
Bent's greatest joy was watching his family grow up and expand. Always ready with a genuine smile, he will be remembered for his modesty, gentle manner, sense of humour and integrity.
We should all aspire to live like Bent.