Jean Nicolaas Besier
1935 – 2023
It is with great sadness that the family of Jean Besier announce his passing.
Jean was born September 29, 1935, in Tilburg, Netherlands to Henry and Louisa Besier.
Jean passed away on December 6, 2023, after a battle with Parkinson’s.
Jean grew up in Saskatchewan where he met and married Patricia Jean Townsend.
Jean and Patricia, along with their two daughters moved to Whitehorse in 1964, where they spent 30 years. During his time in the Yukon, Jean worked for the Yukon Government mainly with the Public Service Commission and served 14 years as a Deputy Minister.
Jean and Patricia then moved to Duncan B.C. in 1996 where they spent their retirement until moving to Calgary in 2023 to be closer to their children.
Jean will be sadly missed by his wife Patricia, daughters Debra and Monique, grandson Kevin (Meaghan), granddaughter Lauren (Arthur) and his 3 great-grandchildren, Kain, Avery and Camryn.
He also leaves behind his brothers Frank and Hein and their families as well as the many friends he made in the Yukon and BC.
We would like to thank the staff at MAID and the Scenic Grande for their care and compassion.
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Comments (4)
Judy Pearson on Jan 5, 2024 at 4:43 pm
So sorry to hear of Jean’s passing, condolences to the family. My husband, now passed, thought very highly of Jean and we enjoyed several Vancouver Island trips with him.
Mike on Dec 19, 2023 at 2:57 pm
He was a great deputy to work for.
Kevin Murphy on Dec 19, 2023 at 2:28 pm
So sorry to hear of Jean's passing, my condolences to his family. Jean was a peer in YG with my father Harry Murphy and later on in Jean's tenure with YG he was the head of Y.L.C. where I worked. Jean was a straight-shooter with personality plus. I really enjoyed working for and with him. He will be missed.
bill oppen on Dec 19, 2023 at 10:30 am
Probably one of the best public servants the yukon has had.