It is with broken hearts we share our sadness for the unexpected and far too early passing of Henry Luetjen. Despite robust health and vigorous energy, the Lord allowed through infinite wisdom to bring Henry home to peace and everlasting glory on April 23, 2025, in promise of his deep Christian faith. As a beloved brother in a family of 7, a longtime friend to many and a cherished colleague to people in the Rail Community with whom he worked for almost 50 years, he will be sorely missed. Henry was a first-born son in a close-knit family that shared an abundance of love and fond memories from their time growing up in Toronto. From the family dinners, paper routes passed down among siblings, summertime trips to Camp or a cottage, and along the way, more than a few trips to a lake with fishing rod in hand. Henry will now be reunited in Heaven with his devoted parents Heinz & Ruth. Missing him dearly are Lori Ann, Grace (Scott), Etta (Mark), David (Kellie), Hedy (Mike) and Frank, as are his niece and nephews, Andrew, Logan, Daulton, Lucas, Julia and Oliver. He will be especially missed by his dear wife Cindy who was his special Angel and closest companion.

Henry was known for his passionate sense of adventure, and travelling allowed him to unleash that sense of adventure across every continent, including Africa, on multiple occasions. From his first major trip to Alaska as a teenager there was nowhere that seemed too far or too remote to explore with his best friends, and later in life with his equally adventurous companion Cindy. While many people might consider a list of the ‘Who’s Who?’ to define importance, Henry was far more inspired by a ‘Where’s Where?’ list of the world’s most iconic destinations. To the peak of Kilimanjaro, the base camp at Everest, Machu Picchu, Antarctica to name only a few destinations he notched on his belt. Notably too, Henry could easily have worn that same belt his entire adult life because fitness and bodybuilding exercise was his other consuming passion from an early age, which allowed Henry to maintain a youthful and athletic appearance that time could not diminish.

Not only did Henry pursue travel as a pastime, but he was also connected daily to travel in his longstanding and successful career in the rail industry. After joining CN Rail in 1976 he experienced learning from the ground up at CN Rail’s main yard in Concord, then progressing through railway maintenance which took him to many remote locations in Northern Ontario, where he so enjoyed spending his time. After moving with CN to Montreal in the early 80’s he began training in the field of signals and communications, eventually achieving the level of Senior Specialist for Signals at Hatch, one of the industry’s leading design firms in Mississauga. Even after so many years in the field, Henry wasn’t anxious to retire, but it couldn’t have been much further away. Even so, while it may seem untimely to not see those years ahead, all of us who knew and loved him surely know that he already lived and enjoyed all his dreams, in a wonderful fulfilling life.