Orville Hamilton Jantzen

With heavy hearts, our family would like to announce the passing of Orville Jantzen. Orville passed peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital on May 5th, 2026, at the age of 86. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Rob), son, Roy (Heather), his four grandsons (Christopher, Brent, Andrew, and Trevor), his sister, Eva (Walter), as well as nieces, nephews, and stepchildren. He was predeceased by his longtime partner, Barbara McGrath, in 2022.

Orville was born to Jacob Elmer Jantzen and Helena Janzen in Herbert, Saskatchewan, in 1939, the youngest of 10 children. After World War II, he and his family moved to British Columbia, where he graduated from John Oliver High School, having made many friendships that endured for a lifetime.

Orv and his brothers were dedicated to keeping the extended Jantzen family close, and as a result, his immediate family was strongly influenced by the wider Jantzen/Janzen family’s social justice values. Throughout his life, he never passed up an opportunity to make a connection with a new person, or to help someone who was struggling. A proud socialist, Orv was always concerned with making sure everybody around him was comfortable and well looked after.

A celebration of life in his honour will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263 at 1025 Ridgeway Avenue in Coquitlam, on October 4, 2026, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Presentation at 2:00 pm.

We invite you to join us to celebrate the impact Orville made in your life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favourite socially oriented charity.