Obituary of Johan "Hans" Willem Albarda

Johan Willem “Hans” Albarda, age 71, of Gaspereau, passed away unexpectedly at home.

Born in the Netherlands, Hans immigrated to Ontario as a child. He studied fine art at the Ontario College of Art and Design before becoming an art professor at Georgian College in Owen Sound. He moved to Nova Scotia with his wife and daughters in 1999, where he build his third off-grid house. Hans lived off-grid for 47 years. He was an advocate for renewable energy, responsible transportation, and the environment.

He is survived by his daughters, Alice and Janna.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Catherine Stanley.

Hans’ first solo art show, “Painless Abstractions,” was set to open at the Hardware Art Gallery in Kentville on April 4th. The show will go ahead as a celebration of his life and art, and will run until May 4th.  Memorial donations in Hans’ memory may be made to the Dr. Catherine Stanley Memorial Scholarship at Acadia University. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4P 1B9 (902-679-2822).