It is with a heavy heart that we announce the peaceful passing of Dr. Hans Harlos on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at the age of 66, surrounded by his family and treasured friends.
He will be greatly missed by his wife and adventure mate, Mary Lisa, who truly loved him, and their time spent together. Hans has taken great pride in his cherished children, Nic and Racine; found immense joy in his precious grandchildren, Loo Loo and Gypsy; and adored his stepchildren, Samantha and Richard. He is a proud son to his mother Irma (Oma), brother to Bill, Ursula, and Dieter, and uncle to his beloved nieces and nephews.
Hans deeply valued his role as a family physician in the Elmvale, Ont., community and previously in Collingwood, Ont. For him, his job was a vocation and he understood how important his patients were as people and took great pride in looking after each of them. Hans was an excellent clinician and both the profession and his patients will be left with a large hole in his absence.
Hans was larger than life. He loved travel, athletics and always gave a resounding “yes” to the next big adventure. He loved to snowboard, especially at his beloved chalet at Whistler, and anyone who has ever skied with Hans has heard his mantra, “there are no friends on powder days.” Of course, on non-powder days, Hans had innumerable friends, all of whom he treasured and each holding an incredibly special place in his heart. He enjoyed entertaining friends and family at the cottage on Orr Lake. He was a keen competitor at his squash club and rarely missed a game. He loved to golf and has taken many golf vacations all over the world with his friends. Hans had a passion for travel and has visited many countries throughout his life. He has created spectacular memories for all of us who have had the pleasure of travelling with him. His overwhelming spirit and zest for life, his love of people, his memorable laugh and the sheer joy he got from beating his friends in a good game of cards or finding a really good sale, will never be forgotten.
Hans will always be a bright light in our lives. In his memory, we will sip our fine wine slower, hold our friends and family closer, travel further and take the “unsanctioned” ski runs on powder days.
