
Our very much loved Ole Kristian Bertling passed away at age of 50, in Liverpool, N.S. on November 30th. He was born in Norway in 1967 to his parents Turid Bjørkum (Solna, Sweden) and Kristian Bertling (The Philippines), and after 2.5 years the family moved to Sweden where Ole spent his childhood together with his siblings Bjørn Tore Bertling, (died in 1986) and Bjørg Eli Bertling (Vestby, Norway).
Ole was a sailor and he loved the sea, and because of that he came to Liverpool in Nova Scotia where he met the love of his life Robyn Gaetz (now Bertling) in 1991. They married in 1992 and have been living in Beach Meadows, a place where Ole loved to live as living near the ocean was a necessary part of his soul. As a kid in Scandinavia, Ole very much enjoyed downhill skiing at wintertime and his fishing at summertime, and he always enjoyed reading as many books as possible growing a massive collection over the years. He also loved his summers in the north of Norway visiting his grandparents, and a special place in his heart had the island of Bjarkøy where he also wanted to have his final rest.
In 1981 his half brother Fredrik Bjørkum (Solna, Sweden) was born and later in life (1997)a half sister in the USA, Caroline Bertling (Greenville, South Carolina).
As his family in Scandinavia we are very happy that Ole had such a good life in Canada. He loved Robyn and her whole family so much and I know they loved him too. Especially Robyn’s parents Louise and Gerald who have been Ole’s parents as well. And that made it easier to have him so far away.
Ole spent the later part of his life challenging himself with books and gaming, science and discovery channels, and creating beautiful rope work and crafting things with his hands with meticulous detail. He left his mark on everything he touched. His home was his place of peace and his family his biggest source of pride. Ole had a huge laugh, an infectious smile and a twinkle in his eye that will never be forgotten. He taught us all about the appreciation of the smallest things in our every day lives and refused to let obstacles or challenges change his optimism and smile.
He will be so missed by both family and friends, but most by his wife Robyn and beloved dog Molly who rarely left his side. Ole’s life will be celebrated in the two places his heart remained – at sea here in Canada along with some close friends saying see you later and in Bjarkoy, Norway at a later date.
Offer Condolence for the family of Bertling; Ole Kristian

John and Nancy Leefe
Words are so insufficent. The best we can offer is this. That the inextricable bond between Robin and Ole manifests itself in a union that is transcendent, lending strength to those who are left at first, to mourn, but then to remember and rejoice in a life that continues to provide the deep satisfaction arising out of a love that is indestructable, that cannot be conquered, neither by illness or death.
Francis & Peggy Payzant
Dear Robyn,
Francis & I Are So Sorry To Hear Of Your Husbands Passing. Please Except Our Deepest Sympathy. Always Cherish His Memories!!!
Sincerely: Peggy & Francis Payzant
Susan Verge
Robyn, I am so sorry for your great loss, keep your memories close to your heart.
Wanda Seldon
Our sincere condolences to all who have lost such a special part of their lives. Feeling so much for you all at this time. XX
Leanne and Cory Hanley
A million heartfelt words will never suffice….thinking of everyone during this time. He certainly was loved and cherished. Hold onto all the happy moments and wonderful memories!
Cecelia Bertling
You have our deepest condolence for your loss.
Billie Strang
I have no words Robyn – My heart goes out to you and Turid and Family at this sad sad time! My love Always xx Bill
David and Donna Dicks
Robyn and Family, So sorry for your loss. Our sincere sympathy to you all. Cherish the wonderful memories. Take care.
Sandra Turpin
Dear Robyn and Family:
So very sorry to hear this sad news. Please accept my most sincere sympathy at this very difficult time in your life. God Bless.
Doug and Dot Winters
Dear Robyn and family. Our sincere condolences on the passing of your husband. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Dot and Doug
Jerry Moffo
I miss chatting with Ole and exchanging jokes and funny videos and our love of music. I only knew him through our online gaming but we had an instant bond and we would chat pretty much every day until he became unable to do so. Your loss must be massive, having known Ole in person. I only knew him at a distance and still feel the loss greatly. I miss him very much
Greg Tutty
Dear Robyn,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ole’s illness has been a long road for you both. I’m sure it’s been very hard, but I have the utmost respect for your commitment and strength of purpose through it all. You were lucky to have him in your life, of course, but in turn he was extremely lucky to have someone like you as a partner. Your strength, courage, dedication and love was truly remarkable and admirable.
Take care of your self and remember the happy times.
Greg Tutty
Niklas Ankarberg
Words is not enough.
My deepest condolences för your loss.
Richard Comeau
Mes condoléances Robyn. A wonderful husband and a beautiful human being.
Richard Comeau
Phyllis & Yorke Tutty
My dearest Robin and family, it is hard to find the words at this time. Ole’s struggle is finally over. We are thinking of
you at this time, remember the good times, keep in touch. Phyllis & Yorke
Kelly Inness
Robyn,
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brenda and Ira Huskins
So sorry to hear of your husbands passing, such a young age.
Linda & Robert Trainor
Robyn & family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. May you treasure the memories that you had with Ole. Take Care & GOD Bless you all.
Linda & Robert
Shauna & Ian Corbett
Robyn and family. So very sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences to you all.
Amy (Peverill) Newell
Robyn,
Sincerely sorry to Your loss…..
You are in my thoughts and prayers
MARILYN WHYNOT
ROBYN THERE NO WORDS TO EASE YOUR SORROW BUT YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.REMEMBER ALL THE HAPPY TIME YOU HAVE SPENT TOGETHER.
Cindy& Theodore hanley
Robyn and families,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers
Are with you at this very difficult time. Cherish and hold those wonderful memories
Close to your heart.
Valerie Rhyno
Robyn. My heart breaks for your loss.
Donna Murray
Dear Robyn.
We are so sorry to hear of Ole’s passing. It is hard to lose the love of your life, but you have so many wonderful memories to help you during this time of sorrow and in the future. Take care and know that your large community of friends is thinking of you and Ole.
Donna & John
Zona & Stephen Hatt
To family & friends ,
We are so very sorry for your loss . We did not have the privilege of meeting Ole but from the comments here & from those who knew him he was one in a million !! He was taken far too young but Robyn there is no doubt that you shared more in the short time you were together than most share in a lifetime !! May the memories each of you carry & the knowledge that Ole touched so many live’s bring some peace as you grieve with both tears & laughter .
God Bless !!
Zona & Stephen
Peter Young and Sharon White
Robyn,we’re so sorry to hear about your loss,may you cherish all the happy times that you both shared.
Jim and Lynn Winfield
Robyn we are sending you sincere condolences at this very sad time, please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs Jim & Lynn
Bob and Brenda Lohnes
Robyn and Family: Our sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. We know that your loss is very difficult and sad to deal with but take comfort knowing that he is suffering no more. May God bless you and give you the strength to smile with many wonderful memories.
Holly Smith
Oh Robyn,
Although I did not know your dear husband, my heart broke when I read about his passing. I can only say that I am so very sorry and will hold you in my thoughts..May the love and concern of your family and friends, and your memories of happy times together with Ole, help you travel this road of sorrow and bring you to a place of peace.
Holly Smith
Terri Longmire
Robyn
I can not imagine how heartbreaking this is for you. Cherish all of the wonderful memories that you and Ole shared and he will never be far away from you.
Jocelyne Klinckmann
Dear Robyn,
I am so very sorry for your loss and assure you and your family of my most sincere sympathy.
Jocelyne Klinckmann
malinda oickle
Dear Robyn,
so sorry for your loss,
know that you are in my heart and prayers.
Ann Smith
Dear Robyne,
So sorry to hear this sad news. Please accept our deepest condolences and know you are in our thoughts.
Ann and Allan Smith
Brenda Lawrence
Sincere sympathy Robyn . So sorry for your loss .
Cherish the good times . Brenda
Lloyd & Barbara Naugler
Lloyd & I wish to offer our deepest sympathy to Roblyn & your family on your husband,s passing. Your memories of him will see you through . .Sincerely lloyd & Barb .
Charlene White
Laugh when you can…cry when you need to…as you remember this wonderful man you shared life with.
Thinking of you with deepest sympathy.
Valerie Conrad
Robin – I just heard of Ole’s passing and I want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers,
Tammy Roy-Densmore
Sorry for your loss
Mariann and Ricky Broome
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Sandra Stafford
My deepest sympathy to you, dear Robyn, your family and Ole’s family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
You are in my prayers.
Brenda Brian Mckinnon
We are so sorry for your lose ,you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
Diane and Donald White
Thinking of you all at this most heartbreaking time of your life. Our most sincere condolences.
Kathryn Killam
So very sorry to hear of Ole’s passing…. this profound and unspeakably difficult loss. Words are inadequate when one so young leaves this world… far too soon. Ole put up a great fight for many years and was very blessed to have the love and support of his amazing wife Robyn. There will be many heavy hearts for a long time to come… especially this Christmas. Thoughts and wishes for comfort are with you.
Sheree Chandler
Dear Robyn and Family,
Our deepest sympathies in your tremendous loss.
In searching for compassionate words that would comfort you after such a deep loss, I consulted a book I go to for wisdom and solace; The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. He explains that to understand the secret of death , one must “…open
[one’s] heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.”
You and Ole lived life to the fullest, and you will continue to do so without him, for that is your nature. And although Gibran goes on to describe life after death, he does not tell those left behind how to mourn, how to deal with the loss.
I guess we must take comfort in knowing that “life” goes on, for the gone and for the grieving. He will be with you always.
Thinking of you at this difficult time and in the difficult times ahead. Much love.
Sheree, Jake and Amanda