St. Michael's Catholic Church
379 Division St., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Aage Herman Andersen was born in Øster Alling, Denmark, on January 22, 1928. He grew up on a farm in rural Denmark with seven brothers and sisters – Knud, Leo, Emmy, Tage, Doris, Knud (2) and Preben. He attended a one-room schoolhouse and left home at age 14 to become a blacksmith. He loved the farm animals, but the only pet allowed in the home was his little brother Preben’s dog, Tommy. Tommy was often remembered with a warm laugh, for running down the street with a whole cake in his mouth.
In 1956, Herman moved to Canada to seek adventure. He traveled by boat and was seasick the whole way. It was a bold decision, made with courage and determination, to build a new life across the ocean. He settled in Ontario and worked as a welder for Ontario Hydro for over 20 years, embodying a strong work ethic and dedication to his craft.
He met Patricia LaChance in 1966 and frequently mentioned the stunning black dress she was wearing the night that they met. They married in 1968 and had their daughter, Angela, in 1969.
Herman had a passion for gardening, and his backyard was a testament to his love for nature. He grew a vast vegetable garden, tended fruit trees, and nurtured beautiful flower beds surrounding the house. His tomatoes, fresh and warm from the garden, were legendary for their unmatched flavor. He also loved building things and spent countless hours in his workshop, creating practical items like barbeques and shelves with care and precision.
Cooking was another of Herman’s talents, and he delighted in preparing turkey, goose, or roast beef for Thanksgiving and Christmas, making Danish meatballs (Frikadeller), and grilling the perfect steak or burger on the barbecue. He cherished the simple joys in life, like sitting in the backyard with a beer, sharing laughs and stories with his neighbors, Mike and Stuart.
His strong sense of dignity, self-respect, and meticulous attention to detail were evident in everything he did, from growing his garden to polishing his daughter’s shoes, boiling the perfect egg, shoveling the snow properly, installing a backyard patio—to being the best, most dedicated, and dependable husband and father his wife and daughter could ever hope for. Unfortunately, people could fall short of his high expectations, for instance, Patricia and Angela were kicked out of the garden for their careless methods of picking yellow beans. Despite this, his love for them was unwavering.
Although he lived far from Denmark, Herman maintained deep connections to his roots. His daughter Angela reflects that she never met anyone with a demeanor remotely like her dad's until she met his (surviving) siblings—Leo, Emmy, Tage, and Preben—who were all uncannily similar: quiet and content, with an orbit of effervescent spouses and children. Summers spent in Denmark with family brought treasured memories of celebrating birthdays with a huge banquet filled with the best pickled herring, aquavit, dancing, and laughter.
Herman was a gentle and soft-spoken man, unpretentious and kind, with a heart heavy from witnessing senseless wars throughout his life, beginning with WWII. He was unbelievably curious and well-informed for all his 96 years. Though he tried to see the good in the world, he also found it tragic and had profound confusion and concern for the future of the earth and humanity in the face of suffering. These values—his care for living things—are part of the legacy he leaves behind, inspiring humility, curiosity, and gratitude in those who loved him.
His last years were difficult, with isolation during the COVID years and a heart condition that made it extremely difficult to summon the energy to even leave his condo for the occasional coffee. He had outlived many friends, all his siblings, their spouses, and even some of their children. Throughout it all, his wife and daughter supported him and did their best to bring comfort and care to his life.
He is survived by his devoted family – his beloved wife, Patricia Andersen; his daughter, Angela Andersen, and her husband, David Lum; and his cherished grandchildren, Jacob Andersen-Lum and Elizabeth Andersen-Lum. Herman’s gentle ways, craftsmanship, gratitude, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered for his remarkable life and the love he shared with his family and friends.
A funeral Mass will take place at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Cobourg on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 10:00 followed by a reception at MacCoubrey Funeral Home. If desired, flowers may be ordered from Quinn's Blooms, Cobourg or a donation to Red Cross - Northumberland.
Pat &Angela, Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and father. Linda Sedgwick
What a lovely tribute to this wonderful man. Pat, I think you were a dear friend of my mother’s (Barbara Mouncey) and we would always see you at mass. Offering my sincere condolences for the loss of your dear husband.
Sending you and your Mom so much strength and love. Your Dad had such a remarkable life, and he will always live on within you. Thank you for sharing his life story - each memory you shared felt like a beautiful painting. Magda
Pat, my heart goes out to you with the loss of Herman. The obituary captured so beautifully a picture of a unique and special father and husband and made me wish we had more opportunity to interact with him during our sorority years. Carry your treasured memories with you to comfort you and know that Herman is still with us as long as these memories live on.
Angela, sending you and your Mum deepest condolences from our family. Thank you for sharing the lovely memories of your Dad. I remember seeing him at piano recitals but I wish I’d known him better as he was clearly a remarkable man, husband and father. He must have been so proud of his beautiful family and the life he built.
Pat just wanted to let you know how sorry I was to hear about Herman’s passing. Thinking of you at this sad time. Christine
Dear Pat, Angela and Family, We were so sorry to hear of Herman's passing. We have many fond memories of our time as neighbours. Thinking of you at this very difficult time.
Sending you and your mom strength and sympathy at this sad time. Your Dad sounds like a gentle and quiet soul who led a full and happy life with you at the centre of it. Thinking of you. Alison
We are all so fortunate to have grown up with this lovely man in our midst, and to have experienced the Andersen family’s kindness. Tak!
Dear Pat and Angela Thinking of you upon the loss of your dear Herman. I fondly remember Herman and his involvement in our Spragge Crescent neighborhood pig roasts - such great memories. Anything Herman did, he did well- his gardens, his lawn, his loyalty to his family and friends. RIP Herman. Barb
Dear Pat, Having just read Herman's obituary I learned a lot about the kind of man he was and appreciate how much you will miss him. Sincerest condolences to you and your family. Nicole Corbeil
Dear Pat, my deepest sympathy to you and Angela for your loss of Herman/Father. Bonnie
Dear Pat and Angela, Though far away, I think of you as you journey through these early days. You had a beautiful husband and father, and will carry his love inside, always.
Dearest Pat and Angela: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Herman. I know his passing has left a gigantic void in your heart. After reading the obituary, my only regret is that I did not have the pleasure of getting to know him. All your wonderful memories will never leave you. Prayers and Blessings are with you and your families.
Dear Pat and Angela We were sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. We never really knew Herman well, but remember him often biking by our house when you were living nearby. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to you both at this very difficult time.
Dear Angela, Please accept our deepest condolences to you, your mom and your family on the loss of your dad. Over time may your abundance of happy memories of your dad, eventually become a source of comfort and strength.
Dear Pat, Angela and family, You wrote a loving description of Herman that gave us much insight into your father's bent and character and a reminder of his private life. I can testify to the well tended vegetable garden in your backyard and the bountiful crops of tomatoes and potatoes which kept Pat busy in the kitchen! As a sorority sister of Pats for something near 50 years I understand how devastating this profound loss is to her and will support her in our circle. Hermans is enjoying the fruits of His faith in Jesus Christ whom he is with now. XO
Dear Pat, Angela and family. Our deepest condolences on the passing of Herman. I remember his beautiful garden and how proud he was of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. Keep the good memories close.
Dear Pat and Angela. My sincere condolences on the death of dear Hermann. I remember seeing his incredible garden and the produce that came from it. Beautiful! He was blessed with such a wonderful long life. Just wanting to let you know that you are in my prayers and sending warm wishes to you. Love the write up about Hermann life.
Dear Patricia and Angela , So sorry to hear of your loss of your husband and dad . He led a remarkable and warm life . You will truly miss him deeply .
Dear Pat and Angela, Reading about Herman makes me wish I had met him. This is a wonderful testament to his life. My deepest sympathy. Liz