Heinz Joachim Cuvelier

Heinz Joachim Cuvelier passed away Thursday, 16 ^th May 2019 at Utah Valley Hospital at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Cuvelier, his 4 children - B. Corey Cuvelier, Suzanne Cuvelier-Horne, Nicole Cuvelier-Daly and Haley Hickman, his 17 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sister Barbel Christensen and niece Michelle Petersen.

Heinz took his first breathe in the bedroom of a fourth-floor apartment on 11 ^th March 1942 in Herne, Germany. Growing up during World War 11, his childhood was marked with bombing raids, evacuations and meals of sauerkraut, which he learned to dislike immensely.

When Heinz was 17 years old, he boarded the SS Berlin with his family on 30 ^th July 1959 and sailed to the US. They arrived in New York on 8 ^th August 1959.

In 1961, Heinz was called to serve a mission in West Germany for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Due to his German citizenship, the German Army attempted to draft him, so Heinz served the latter part of his mission in the Great Lakes area. Upon return from his mission, Heinz voluntarily enlisted in the National Guard and earned the rank of 2 ^nd Lieutenant.

Some of Heinz's many achievements were:

Becoming a United States Citizen; Earning a Master’s degree from the University of Southern California, without a high school diploma; Career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Graduating from the FBI Academy; and Working in 3 Olympics assigned to the Los Angeles Olympic task force; International Dignitary task force for the Salt Lake; and Salt Lake Special Olympic games.

Heinz was considered to be a stereotypical German in demeanor and traits. He was a devoted husband, father and Schalke fan. He gave of his time freely by refereeing and coaching European's favorite game of "football" aka soccer. He enjoyed traveling to New York and became an aficionado of plays. Heinz also enjoyed teaching German in the MTC in Provo, Utah.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00pm on Friday, 24th May 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1600 US 89, Mapleton, Utah at 1:00. The family is asking in lieu of flowers to donate to Primary Children's Hospital in his name.