Jurgen Klaus

Jurgen, 81, of London, passed away on October 12, 2024, peacefully at home with family by hisside after a courageous 5 year-long battle with cancer.

Jurgen was born on May 6, 1943 to Kathe & Gerd Klaus in Hamburg, Germany.  In 1961 Jurgen made the decision to follow his brother and best friend, Gus, to London, Canada, which he called home for the remainder of his life. He spent his professional life working at London Life, where he made a number of lifelong friendships. His true passion though was soccer. Jurgen played soccer into his 70’s and coached innumerable teams over his 40+ year coaching career. He sat on the board at soccer clubs, took travel teams to Europe and developed hundreds of players. He is a founding member of the Greater London Soccer Club and was credited with bringing women’s soccer to the German Canadian Football Club, which now boasts multiple women’s soccer teams.

Coach, Mentor, Friend, Glacier Man, Son, Brother, Dad & Opa, Jurgen was many things to many people throughout his 81 years of life, but most of all he was known as a kind and generous man who had much to share with those who knew him and was always, himself, willing to learn and grow as a person.

His family fondly remembers some of Jurgen’s more notable teachings and would like to share those:

*  It’s only Money

*  Friends can be found anywhere and become family

*  It’s important to be kind and to help others when you can

*  Always keep fighting

*  Sometimes hope and a positive attitude can be the best medicine

*  It’s fun to play – but it’s best to win

*  Football (soccer) is life