Jacob van Holland

He was born in Bennekom The Netherlands March 13th, 1932 and at 15 years old he travelled to Canada with his older brother Tony and became a Canadian citizen in 1967.

Settling in Alberta, Jake first worked in the lumber industry near Sundre before moving to Olds where he worked as a mechanic in the construction and farming industries.

In 1957 he married Lois Kearney and adopted her two children, Brian and Jeannette.

Jake was actively involved with the Legion in Olds and much of his spare time was spent snowmobiling and motorcycle touring.

He had a truly mechanical mind and so was one of the best handyman you could find and he was always generously lending a hand.

Sadly Brian died in a car accident in 1971.

Motorcycle touring brought them to Creston BC in the late eighties where they purchased an acreage and gardening became a full time job along with lending a helping hand wherever he could. Or, he would be playing a prank on someone - a relentless jokester.

In the year 2000 Jake and Lois decided to downsize and moved to Kelowna for retirement which they thoroughly enjoyed until Lois passed away in 2008.

Declining health issues brought Jake to the Village at Smith Creek for the last 10 1/2 years.

Jake remarried in 2013 to Sylvia who he met there and they enjoyed a special two years until Sylvia passed in 2015.

All the amazing staff became a big wonderful family to Jake and they will attest to him always thinking he was a ladies man and constantly playing a prank or telling a joke.

Their final tribute to him when he passed which they call The Honour Guard was the most meaningful service he could possibly have.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Jeannette and the many nieces, nephews, and their families whose lives he touched.