Manitoba Historical Society |
|
Memorable Manitobans: Henri Van Elslander [Father Willibrordus] (1903-1982)
Cleric.
Born at St. Boniface on 21 October 1903, son of butcher Alidor Van Elslander and Marie Soens, he was delivering groceries for his father when became acquainted with the Capuchin Friars, a Belgian religious order whose members had arrived at St. Boniface in August 1928. He joined the order, the first Manitoba-born postulant, and found that his command of English, Fleming, and French was a distinct advantage in their work. He spent four years in Poland learning Polish so he could work with the many Polish-speaking immigrants in Canada. He was ordained into the priesthood in the Cathedral of Brugge, Belgium in June 1936. He celebrated his first mass with family and friends at the Belgian Sacred Heart Church in August 1937. He worked at parishes in St. Boniface, Blenhaim (Ontario), Toutes Aides, Toronto (Ontario), St. Germaine, and Downsview (Ontario). He died at Downsview on 25 December 1982 and was buried in the Capuchin cemetery at Blenhaim, Ontario.
Sources:
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 28 December 1982, page 25.
This page was prepared by Neil Pryce and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 26 May 2017
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:
Custom SearchBrowse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | ZBrowse deaths occurring in:
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.caCriteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements
Help us keep
history alive!
|
For queries on the above page, please contact the MHS Webmaster. Home | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Donations © 1998-2023 Manitoba Historical Society. All rights reserved. |